What to Wear Climbing

Wear clothes you can move and fall in. The gym or guide issues a helmet on outdoor days and usually rents shoes and a harness. You bring the layer underneath.

Quick Facts

• Athletic clothes that cover what you do not want scraped
• Closed-toe shoes to walk in; climbing shoes usually rented
• No loose jewelry
• Outdoor: dress for the approach, not just the wall
• Chalk is optional on day one

Gym

• Athletic shirt and shorts or leggings
• Sports bra that stays put
• Socks for rental shoes
• Hair tie

Outdoor Guided Day

• Layers
• Approach shoes or sneakers for the hike
• Sun layer
• Rain layer if the forecast is not a joke

Can I Wear Shorts?

Yes in gyms. Plastic holds and pads are kinder to bare legs. Outdoors, many climbers prefer pants because rock is less forgiving than plastic.

Footwear

Rental climbing shoes are tight on purpose. Walk to the wall in normal shoes. Flip-flops are a parking-lot problem, not a climbing-shoe substitute.

What Not to Wear

• Jeans that lock your hips
• Dresses
• Dangling jewelry
• A hoodie pocket full of keys on the wall

FAQ

Do I need climbing shoes? Rent them the first time. Buying can wait.

Can I climb in running shoes? Some gyms allow it on easy boulder problems. Most want climbing shoes on ropes.

Ready to Climb?

Find a gym near you and rent shoes on visit one. Start at Climb.