Essential Climbing Gear For Rock Climbing

Rock climbing gives you upper body and legs a very vigorous workout as you scramble up steep rock faces. And if you're rock climbing outdoors instead of in a climbing gym, it can also be a breathtaking way to see nature. When you're climbing, you will discover that several specific pieces of gear are essential in terms of climbing safety and comfort.

Harness

Your harness is one of the biggest pieces of essential gear in your rock climbing arsenal, and it's responsible for providing you with your main safety support, as well as a convenient spot to put non-essential gear such as your chalk bag. For one of the safest harnesses, look for a harness bearing a seal that reads "EN 1277" or "UIAA 105," which means it's been tested by one of the two international organizations responsible for testing harness design safety and construction. In addition, look for one with a Type C certification, which means it's been tested to a whopping 3,372 lbs. Most adult harnesses fall under this classification, and children's harnesses are generally under the Type B category.

Carabiners

The carabiner, often simply referred to by climbers as "beeners," connects your harness to anchors on the rock face, belaying or repelling devices, as well as ropes.When it comes to construction, D-shaped carabiners are generally stronger than oval carabiners. All carabiners come stamped on their spine with three numbers, which refer to the number of kilonewtons it can withstand without breaking. The first number is its strength when it's closed and locked with the rope pulling against the spine; the second number is how strong it is when it's locked and the rope's pulling against the gate; and the third number is how strong it is when the gate is left open. The minimum required is 20 kN, 7 kN and 7 kN, respectively.

Rope

The rope helps you stay against the rock face while climbing, and also stops you from falling should you slip. You can't use traditional rope. Instead, rock climbers use "dynamic rope," which means the fabric comes designed with stretching ability. Without this stretching, your falls would be stopped with a sudden and painful jolt at the end. Most climbing rope measures 165 ft. in length and 11 mm in diameter, says Stephen Edwards, a professor at Caltech university.

Helmet

When it comes to essential safety gear, helmets rank highly, reports "Climbing" magazine. You have dozens of options when it comes to design, fit, style and weight. The magazine recommends helmets with easy-to-adjust straps that allow you to tweak them even with one hand; removable foam inserts, so you can quickly wash the pads that typically pick up your sweat and oils; and a lightweight feel.

Gloves

Some people find gloves essential, says professional climber Chris McNamara. This is especially true if you're climbing in very cold environments. For the most durable climbing gloves, go with one made out of cowhide. The other two options are goat skin -- it fits better than cowhide but doesn't last as long -- and synthetics, which are the least durable but also generally the cheapest.

Shoes

Rock climbing shoes aren't like traditional sneakers. Instead, they're extremely tight -- almost to the point of cramping your toes -- to help create a firm, narrow profile that lets you wedge your foot into cracks. The bottom of the shoe also comes coated with high friction rubber to give you better grip on the rock face. You can expect to pay around $150 on average for a pair of good rock shoes.