Basic Rock Climbing Gear.
For around $100 you can purchase a decent pair of climbing shoes. These are the single most important items you need for climbing. Normally these are fitted one half to one and a half sizes smaller than your normal tennis shoe size. You want them snug. You are not buying these for hiking trails or walking around the parking areas etc. The shoes are exclusive for the climbs. The rubber construction and the sole design is to provide a sticky surface on the bottom of the foot that is stiff enough to provide stable footing when standing on the edges or tips of the shoe. The stickiness will provide phenomenal friction aka “Gription” when the entire sole or portions are used in contact with rough or even semi smooth surfaces this technique is also called “Smearing”. For more on climbing shoes please visit our White Paper on shoes.
Shoes and other equipment can be purchased from online or specialty sources as well as general sporting goods such as Sport Chalet and REI Co-Op.
It is highly recommended that you purchase a chalk bag for around $20 or less and some gymnastic chalk for ~$2 per block. Pair this up with an old toothbrush (optional). This is worn attached around your waist and used for drying your hands by dipping each into the bag as needed, and for cleaning off holds (via toothbrush dipped in chalk). Our hands naturally sweat and so it is imperative to keep them dry when you want to grab a hold and support some weight on it. As holds get used or as time goes by holds will begin to wear or the edges get caked in grit chalk etc.
(Optional) A toothbrush can be attached to the chalk bag and is used to scrub/clean/dry holds before grabbing or stepping on them when dirty or slippery.
(Optional) One final basic item is frequently added to the mix if you plan to climb outdoors and not just in Gyms. On old piece of carpet roughly 2×2 feet in size. This is placed at the base of the climb to give a clean starting point. Dust dirt and other debris will stick to your shoes and effect your traction. This is not a favorable condition so the carpet helps to reduce this. It also can provide at least a little cushion in case you fall off and need a safe landing. There are other types of pads that can be obtained to provide this cushion and in areas where the ground is uneven and particularly hazardous for twisting an ankle a spotter (aka climbing buddy) would be beneficial to guide your fall to safe ground. Home Depot and many other types of stores including the 0.99 cent store carries carpet samples or sections.
Once you have felt the bite of the climbing bug here are a couple links for your next steps.