If you want to test your strength, agility, and flexibility, why not give climbing a try? Rock climbing is a brilliant sport and there are many venues in the UK where you can start to learn. Once you have practiced in an indoor setting, you can then move onto outdoor climbing. For outdoor rock climbing and bouldering, you will need a set of climbing accessories.
This includes important safety gear, and useful equipment that can help make climbing easier. In the below list, we have found 10 cool climbing accessories for 2021 that every would-be climber should invest in – enjoy!
Cliffsons Climbing Chalk Bag
When climbing indoors or outdoors, chalk is an essential item. Climbing chalk is applied to the hands to help improve grip. This allows you to easily grab the different ledges, grooves, and bumps to climb further.
If you want to use chalk, you obviously need something to carry it in! This is why the Cliffsons Climbing Chalk Bag is one of the top climbing accessories. In this pack you get a chalk bag, a chalkball, and a carabiner so you can attach the chalk bag to your harness or belt.
The bag is made from durable nylon material and is lightweight, making it easy to carry. Inside, it has a soft fleece lining. It also features an adjustable drawstring to prevent spillage, and there are two large, zipped pockets to store your phone, for example. This is a simple but effective item, and a must-have for serious climbers.
QZL Athletic Tape
If you are an experienced climber, you will understand the annoyance of skin flaps when climbing. Oftentimes, when rock climbing or bouldering, your fingers and hands will get scratches. Also, you can get tears of skin that result from sharp rock edges. These can be irritating, but also potentially dangerous.
As a result, something like the QZL Athletic Tape is a brilliant buy. This durable athletic tape is suitable for a variety of sporting activities including rock climbing, bouldering, and MMA. It is 0.5” thick, and each roll has 10-yards of tape.
The tape is made from a special formula that helps protect your skin whilst still being comfortable. It is also free from latex and should not cause any skin reactions. If you want to protect your hands and keep your skin in good condition, athletic tape is advised when climbing!
BEEMAT Widdop Bouldering Crash Pad
Something like a crash pad is generally not required for climbing. However, a crash bad can be incredibly useful when bouldering. Oftentimes when bouldering, you are not attached via ropes. As a result, having a crash pad beneath you can help prevent serious injury if you should slip.
The BEEMAT Widdop Bouldering Crash Pad is a great buy and is highly portable. The overall size is 100x100x8cm which should provide adequate protection. Inside, it also has dual-density foam cushioning for maximum impact dampening. The dual-layer works together – the top layer distributes your weight, whilst the bottom layer cushions your fall.
We also like the chamfered corners which help reduce wear and tear. The exterior is also made from durable nylon. For portability, this crash pad also has two webbing handles, and a shoulder strap so you can easily carry it.
Black Diamond Momentum Lace Climbing Shoes
To climb effectively, you must have the correct footwear. This is why climbing shoes are some of the best climbing accessories to have. Climbing shoes must be lightweight, flexible, but also durable and provide excellent grip.
You can find various specialist climbing shoes, but our pick is the Black Diamond Momentum Lace Climbing Shoes. These shoes are available in sizes UK 5 to 10.5 so may be suitable for both men and women. They are also available in two colour choices – ash grey or midnight blue. Both designs are stylish and look great.
The material and technology used give you maximum breathability and flexibility for your feet. They should be comfortable to wear and give you the movement you need when rock climbing. Also, they have a unique rubber sole that provides a fantastic grip. Essentially, these climbing shoes offer a great balance of comfort and utility.
Heemtle Safety Helmet for Rock Climbing and Abseiling
Some experienced climbers do not wear helmets. However, for beginners, we always advise wearing a helmet. Also, even if you are experienced, a helmet is a must-have accessory when climbing in locations that are known to have rockfalls and loose debris.
The Heemtle Safety Helmet is a great choice and provides the safety you need without being too heavy. This climbing helmet is available in five different colour choices – white, red, yellow, blue, and orange. The design is simple, but the functionality is excellent.
It has an adjustable head size of 54-62cm. Also, it is made from incredibly durable materials that are cold-resistant and chemical resistant. We also like that the helmet has various vents to help with breathability and to keep your head cool. Inside, the helmet has ample padding for a comfortable fit, and there is also an adjustable padded chin strap.
XINDA Screwgate Locking Carabiner Clip
Carabiners are essential items for any roped climbing session. Without carabiners you cannot make secure connections and secure yourself properly whilst rock climbing or bouldering. Whenever you are climbing, it is vital that you have a set of high-quality, easy-to-use carabiners ready.
The XINDA Screwgate Locking Carabiner Clip is one of the top choices available. It has a classic D shape and distributes the load towards the spine of the carabiner. It also has a keylock nose design which helps prevent snagging.
The major axis has a load capacity of 25KN, whilst the minor axis has a load capacity of 8KN. These products are also CE/UIAA certified. We also like that they have a simple screw-lock opening system. This is easy to use and allows for quick fastening. These carabiners are also available in a variety of cool colours, and for a reasonable price, you get 2x per pack.
XINDA Climbing Harness
Aside from carabiners, a climbing harness is also vital. A harness is what you place around your body. When climbing, it is then used to provide a secure connection between you and your rope system. Without a harness, you cannot effectively secure yourself whilst climbing.
The XINDA Climbing Harness is a simple but effective product that is suitable for both men and women. It has been thoroughly tested and certified to CE EN 12277 standards. This harness also has a guarantee of safety to a maximum load capacity of 200KG.
It is made from high-quality materials including high-strength polyester, and aluminium buckles. For comfort, this harness also has an adjustable waist belt which should fit all sizes. The leg loops are also adjustable. The belts are all made from thickened material which improves comfort and helps reduce chafing and rubbing.
Friction Labs Loose Climbing Chalk
We have touched on this already, but chalk is a brilliant item to have when rock climbing or bouldering. Primarily, chalk helps keep your hands dry as it absorbs any moisture on your skin. Also, it provides a far better grip and improved safety.
As a result, the friction labs loose climbing chalk is one of the best climbing accessories to have. It is available in three different textures for different sporting activities. Also, it is free from silica and should not have any adverse effects on your skin.
We also like that it comes in a resealable bag so that you can easily store it, or pour it into a chalk bag. The Unicorn texture is the finest chalk, whilst the Gorilla Grip has medium-size chunks. Lastly, the Bam Bam is the chunkiest available. All have the same performance, but which you choose depends on personal preference.
PETZL Unisex Adult’s Belay Safety Device
A belay device is another vital piece of equipment for would-be climbers. It is an essential part of the anchoring process, and you can use a belay for both top rope climbing, and lead climbing. A belay works on the principle of force and it locks when weight is applied to it – this effectively “catches” the climber.
The PETZL Unisex Adult’s Belay Safety Device is a perfect choice. It can be used with a wide variety of rope diameters and should be suitable for any type of climbing. We also like the intuitive design that makes this belay device easy to use.
For durability, the belay device is made from aluminium which also makes it lightweight. It is available as a standard size but is available in three vibrant colours – orange, green, and grey. Specific rope types it can handle include singles ropes from 8.5-11mm, half ropes from 7.1-9.2mm, and twin ropes from 6.9mm-9.2mm.
NewDoar 24KN 8-10mm Rock Climbing Rope
Lastly, you can’t use a roped climbing system without rope! Having a sturdy length of rope is the last piece of vital equipment you need for your rock climbing adventures. It could also be advisable to have several lengths of rope for redundancy.
The NewDoar 24KM Rock Climbing Rope is a great choice and is available in a myriad of lengths and colours. Available lengths include 20ft, 50ft, and 98ft. Available colours include black and orange – both available in either 8mm or 10mm thickness.
This rope is incredibly durable and has a maximum braking force of 14-24KN depending on the configuration. It also has a braided core, and a braided cover which makes the rope firm, but easy to handle.
Get Geared Up for Climbing Today With These Fantastic Accessories
If you want to become an expert climber, you must invest in the appropriate gear. As a result, we hope you have found this list of climbing accessories useful. The initial cost may seem like a lot. However, if you intend to climb regularly, the investment is certainly worth it.
Also, for beginners, remember that there is an amazing range of climbing walls in the UK that you can visit. These venues usually provide all the relevant climbing gear and accessories you need. Also, they offer taster sessions and training classes for first-time climbers! Visiting one of these sites could be a great thing to do before buying your gear.