A responsible climber always seeks to mitigate the risks and dangers inherent in rock and mountain climbing. One simple, effective and important measure is to always wear a helmet when you’re climbing. It protects you from hitting your head during a fall and serves as a shield from falling rocks or objects, both on the wall and on the ground. ...

An ice axe is a versatile piece of outdoor equipment with a wide range of uses in mountaineering, climbing and hiking. Used like a walking stick, it can help you steady yourself during an ascent or descent or to test an icy surface. It can be an aid in various forms of ice climbing, cut steps into snow or ice ...

A rope is one of the most essential pieces of gear for any climber. To safely ascend a route of any length, you trust in your belayer and in the literal lifeline that is your climbing rope. With that in mind, selecting the right kind of rope for your climbing needs results in near endless comparison when you don’t know ...

Rock climbing as a sport is definitely experiencing a rise in popularity. It offers fun, exercise, a healthy dose of adventure and allows you to experience nature in new ways. Climbers are generally sociable and you will also get to meet new people. We’ve compiled the following how to guide to get you started on rock climbing as a beginner. ...

Climbing pants are functional, technical clothing worn for practical reasons. A good pair allows you to move your legs and hips freely and comfortably when you’re up on the wall while protecting your legs and knees and keeping you warm or cool. If you’re training at the gym, solving your boulder problems or hiking to your mountain crag in your ...

You literally trust a climbing harness with your life, so it is arguably among the most important pieces of equipment for a climber. Any type of rope climbing requires a harness for both the climber and the belayer, the partner securing the climber’s ascent. Our guide to the top climbing harnesses will make it easy for you to pick the ...

Whether you’re touching rock for the first time as a rookie sports climber or are working hard on advanced projects in traditional climbing, having the best climbing shoes will be your most important part of your climbing gear. They can determine both comfort as well as success in reaching your training goals. In the following guide, we’ll first give you ...