Climb more, climb better
Real picks for shoes, harnesses, belay gear, chalk, crash pads, and everything for climbing
- The V scale for bouldering, from first problems to advanced
- V0-V10
- Yosemite Decimal System grades for roped climbs, moderate to very hard
- 5.8-5.13
- A common single-rope diameter that balances durability and weight
- 9.5 mm
Top picks right now
Grades at a glance
- Bouldering, newer climbers about V0 to V2
- Bouldering, intermediate about V3 to V5
- Roped, newer climbers about 5.6 to 5.9
- Roped, intermediate about 5.10 to 5.11
Rough bands only. Gym and outdoor grades vary from place to place.
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Start Here: Climbing for Beginners
7 short steps in the order a beginner needs them, with the guides and tools for each one.
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
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Shoes & Apparel
Climbing shoes for gym, sport, and crack plus clothing.
Browse 10 guides →Harnesses & Belay
Harnesses, belay devices, and rappel gear.
Browse 11 guides →Ropes & Hardware
Ropes, carabiners, quickdraws, and protection.
Browse 10 guides →Chalk & Skin
Chalk, chalk bags, brushes, and skin care.
Browse 10 guides →Training
Hangboards, grip trainers, and home wall gear.
Browse 11 guides →Crag & Gym Bags
Packs, crash pads, and day-out accessories.
Browse 9 guides →Best buying guides
Best Belay Gloves
Belay gloves compared on palm material, finger coverage, cuff closure and clip-in points, from light synthetic pairs to double-layer leather for long rappels.
Best Big Wall Harnesses
Big wall harnesses built for hanging belays, jugging, and hauling, compared on padding, gear capacity, haul loops, and comfort over multi-day routes.
The Best Climbing Chalk
Not all chalk is equal. We compare texture, drying power, and staying power to find the best loose chalk, blocks, and blends for sweaty hands.
The Best Liquid Chalk
A solid base layer that outlasts powder. The best liquid chalks for gym sessions, humid days, and climbers who want grip without the dust cloud.
The Best Chalk Bags
The best chalk bags seal tight, sit right, and let you chalk mid-crux without thinking. Picks for sport, trad, gym sessions, and spill-free travel.
The Best Climbing Salves
Heavy-duty salves for flappers, splits, and gobies. Thick, wax-based formulas that repair serious skin damage between hard sessions and trips.
Packing tips
All tips →How to Clean a Climbing Rope (and How Long It Should Last)
How to clean a climbing rope step by step: tub wash or front-loading machine, water under 30 C, rope cleaner or none, two to three days of shade drying, lifespan.
How to Choose Climbing Shoes for Beginners
How to choose climbing shoes as a beginner: flat vs downturned shapes, lace vs hook-and-loop closures, rubber, upper stretch and which pair suits gym or rock.
How to Choose a Chalk Bag for Climbing
How to choose a chalk bag: an opening that fits your whole hand, a closure that seals, belt carry, brush holder and pocket, and when a chalk bucket is better.
Climbing Belay Device Types: Tube, Assisted-Braking, Guide Plates and Figure 8s
Climbing belay device types compared: tube, guide-mode plate, passive and mechanical assisted-braking, and figure 8, with the climbing each one suits best.