Our top pickLa Sportiva TarantulaceThe classic first climbing shoe — comfortable, durable, and does it all.$98.95Price as of Aug 23, 2026Shop on Amazon →The good news: the gear that gets you climbing is inexpensive and simple. Rent shoes for your first few gym sessions, then pick up your own of the pieces below as you get hooked. Here’s the beginner kit, plus how to choose.
Beginner climbing gear at a glance
The personal essentials, side by side:
Climbing shoes
Your first real purchase. Size them snug (smaller than street shoes) but not painful — you should be able to wear them for a few routes.
Entry-Level All-Around Climbing Shoe — the budget start
A comfortable, moderately priced shoe to learn in without committing to a performance last. Good for the gym and easy outdoor routes while you figure out what you like. Size snug but not painful — climbing shoes should be smaller than your street shoes, not agonizing.
- 1. Performance-Focused Fit: Climbing shoes demand a snug fit (smaller than street shoes) to maximize wall control. Sizing up for comfort sacrifices precision edging and power transfer.
- 2. Exceptional Traction: Our men's climbing shoes feature a specialized rubber outsole that offers outstanding grip on various rock surfaces. Whether it's smooth granite or rough limestone, you can trust these shoes to keep you firmly planted.
- 3. Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials, these shoes are built to last. The tough upper materials resist abrasion, while the reinforced stitching ensures they can withstand the rigors of frequent climbing.
- 4. Comfortable for Long-Hauls: Despite their performance - oriented design, our men's climbing shoes don't sacrifice comfort. They are padded in key areas to reduce pressure points, enabling you to enjoy extended climbing sessions without discomfort.
- 5. Versatile Design: Suitable for different climbing styles, from bouldering to sport climbing, these shoes offer the flexibility and support needed for a wide range of climbing challenges.
La Sportiva Tarantulace — the classic beginner shoe
Arguably the most recommended first real climbing shoe there is: a comfortable, durable, all-around performer that handles the gym, slab, and moderate routes beautifully. If you’re past the rental stage, this is the one to buy — available in men’s and women’s lasts.
- Selected Size: EU 42, US 9; User profile - Ideal for the climber looking for a single pair of shoes to do it all; a jack-of-all-trades climbing shoe comfortable enough for all-day outdoor climbing or a trip to the gym.
- Fit & Sizing - Shoe runs BIG. Size Down 1 Full Size from street shoe size. Designed with rounded forefoot and higher volume to comfortably fit more climbers. Remember, rock climbing shoes are designed to fit differently than other footwear.
- Breathable & Durable - The all-leather upper is breathable and durable yet stretches to conform to your foot shape. Padded internal tongue with cotton lining protects the sensitive top of your foot.
- Secure & comfortable fit - An updated heel cup holds the heel in place for a secure and snug fit. Quick-pull lacing allows for precise fit along the length of the foot, wrapping the foot snugly for excellent support, fit, and comfort. Two heel pull-tabs and one togue tab assist in easy on/off.
- Great Grip - An aggressive rubber heel rand and the sticky FriXion RS rubber is grippy yet hard wearing, offering increased durability and providing a powerful edging platform climb after climb. A ultra-thin LaSpoflex midsole provides maximum torsional rigidity.
Chalk & chalk bag
Chalk dries the sweat off your fingertips so you can grip the rock. Grab a bag and a bag of loose chalk to refill it.
Chalk Bag — keep your hands dry
A simple drawstring chalk bag that clips to your harness or a belt, with a fleece lining and a brush holder. Chalk keeps sweat off your fingertips so you can actually hold the rock. Any decent bag works — this one is well-made and cheap.
- Premium Quality - Our chalk bags are carefully designed to be perfect for rock climbing, gym climbing and bouldering. But it’s also great to use at the gym for weightlifting, powerlifting, gymnastics and any other workout where you need some extra grip.
- Anti-leak Design - Our no-leak design includes tight drawstrings to prevent chalk-spill. The bag is durable and waterproof to ensure your chalk stays dry. The inside is fleece-lined to keep your chalk dust in place and also helps to distribute the chalk evenly on your hands.
- Two Large Zip Pockets - With two fabric-sealed big zipper pockets there’s plenty of storage space for you to keep your phone and other essentials right where you need them. Not only great for indoor climbing and work out, but also a great gift with our cool animal design.
- Perfectly Sized - Easy to carry with an adjustable quick clip belt and small carabiner. The bag opening is large and has a stiffened rim to maintain shape. This bag can accommodate big hands and carry a large reservoir of chalk to make sure you won’t get caught short!
- Created By Climbers For Climbers - Our chalk bag has been tested on the mountain walls, crags and boulders of New Zealand, which have led us to carefully refine our design, including features such as extra-grippy zip pullers, fabric-sealed zippers, adding brush-holders and much more.
Black Diamond White Gold Chalk — the standard
Loose magnesium-carbonate chalk from the biggest name in climbing gear — the default most climbers use. Refill your chalk bag from the bag, or load it into a refillable chalk ball to cut the mess.
- MAXIMUM GRIP PERFORMANCE: Engineered for outdoor and gym rock climbers who demand dependable friction on every hold. Enhances grip by reducing sweat and moisture during intense sessions.
- PURE MAGNESIUM CARBONATE FORMULA: Made from 100% premium magnesium carbonate for clean, consistent texture. Provides long-lasting dryness and control for sport, bouldering, or trad climbing.
- IMPROVES HAND TRACTION: Helps maintain secure contact with rock or plastic holds, increasing precision and confidence during technical moves or extended routes.
- VERSATILE FOR ALL CLIMBING STYLES: Ideal for indoor gyms, outdoor crags, or competition climbing. Also perfect for weightlifting, gymnastics, and other grip-intensive activities.
- ECO-FRIENDLY, RESEALABLE BAG: Packaged in a durable, resealable bag for convenient storage and minimal waste. Easy to refill chalk bags or buckets for long climbing days.
Friction Labs Loose Chalk — the premium pick
A cult-favorite premium chalk that many climbers swear grips better and lasts longer than standard chalk, with less dust. If your hands sweat a lot or you want the best, it’s worth the upgrade.
- NOW 20% MORE CHALK: Our new packaging is now 100% recyclable with 20% more chalk! Engineered for unparalleled grip with fewer applications. Hold Tight. Don’t Hold Back. Complete the regimen by adding in our Secret Stuff Liquid Chalk as a base layer.
- GAME CHANGING GRIP: Don’t limit yourself because of bad grip. Overcome grip problems caused by sweat, rain, humidity, and oils or sunscreen. Our high purity Magnesium Carbonate makes a single application last longer, giving you the grip you need to stay in the zone.
- SAFE GRIP SOLUTION: Non-toxic, silica-free and pigment-free chalk that is safe for all skin types. We refine all our chalk and strip out fillers and artificial drying agents found in other chalks that can dry out and damage your skin.
- PEAK PERFORMANCE: A bit of moisture can be the difference between success and failure. Our high purity chalk lasts longer so you can keep pushing to that next hold instead of stopping to chalk up. Perfect for indoor & outdoor use.
- TRUSTED BY THE BEST: Friction Labs is the only chalk endorsed by champions in multiple sports like rock climbing, tennis & powerlifting. Our chalk provides the long lasting moisture absorption you need to keep performing your best.
Helmet
Essential for climbing outdoors — it protects against rockfall from above and impacts in a fall. Gyms usually don\’t require one; the crag does.
OutdoorMaster Climbing Helmet — budget protection
A lightweight, adjustable climbing helmet at an approachable price — protection against rockfall and head impacts for outdoor climbing without breaking the bank. A helmet is essential the moment you climb outside.
- Protection & Ventilation: OutdoorMaster climbing helmet features a top thickness of 1.7 inches. The thick core design enhances protection, especially against falling rocks and other objects from above. The thickened top design makes the helmet slightly taller, ensuring smooth airflow and reducing stuffiness.
- PC Shell & EPS Core: Utilizing a PC+EPS in-mold molding structure, this climbing helmet offers lightweight durability, efficient cushioning, and shock absorption, ensuring comfort during prolonged wear. Certifications: EN certified (EN 12492:2012).
- Ultra-Light Design： The climbing helmet ensures greater comfort during long-term wear, reducing fatigue in the head and neck. Weight: 290g.
- Size Adjustment Button: Featuring an adjustable system, this climbing helmet can be easily adjusted with one hand to achieve a comfortable fit for various head sizes. Size:20.86"-24".
- Lamp Clips: 2 front and 2 rear clips securely hold headlamps for outdoor activities like cave exploration and rock climbing, for this climbing helmet.
Black Diamond Half Dome — the trusted standard
The climbing helmet you see at every crag: light, durable, well-ventilated, and easy to adjust, from the brand that defines the category. If you climb outdoors regularly, this is the buy-it-once helmet.
- ALL-PURPOSE CLIMBING HELMET: Trusted by climbers for years, the Half Dome is designed for everything from cragging to alpine missions. A proven choice for beginners and seasoned climbers alike.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Features a tough outer shell and impact-absorbing foam liner for reliable protection. Built to withstand the demands of rock, gym, and mountaineering environments.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FIT: Equipped with a low-profile suspension system and an easily adjustable chin strap for a secure, comfortable fit. Dial in the right size quickly for all-day wear. Measure around the largest part of the head–about one inch above the eyebrows.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & VENTILATED: Streamlined design with large ventilation ports keeps airflow moving, helping you stay cooler during warm-weather climbs and long approaches.
- GEAR COMPATIBLE: Integrated headlamp clips make it easy to attach a headlamp for early starts, late finishes, or alpine climbs. Always ready for versatile use in different conditions.
How to get started safely
- Start in a gym or with instruction. Indoor gyms are the easiest, safest on-ramp — rent shoes, take an intro class, and learn to belay under supervision before you ever climb outside.
- The rope system is not DIY. Harness, rope, belay device, and protection are life-support gear. Buy them from a specialist who can fit and advise you, and learn to use them from a certified instructor or guide.
- Bouldering outdoors (ropeless, low) still needs a crash pad and a spotter — and a helmet is smart even then.
- Respect the altitude and weather. Colorado crags are high and afternoon storms build fast — start early and watch the sky. See our altitude guide.
Beginner climbing gear FAQ
What gear do I need to start rock climbing?
For the gym, just climbing shoes and chalk (harnesses and belay gear are usually rented there). To climb outside you add a helmet, plus the roped system — harness, rope, belay device, and protection — which you should buy from a specialist and learn to use through instruction, not on your own.
Do beginners need their own climbing shoes?
Rent for your first few sessions, then buy your own once you're hooked — your own shoes fit better and perform better than beat-up rentals. Size them snug but not painful; climbing shoes run smaller than street shoes. The La Sportiva Tarantulace is a classic first shoe.
Do I need a helmet to rock climb?
Outdoors, yes — a helmet protects against rockfall from above and head impacts in a fall, and it's standard at the crag. Indoor gyms generally don't require one. The moment you climb outside, wear a helmet.
What kind of chalk should I use — loose, liquid, or a chalk ball?
Loose chalk is the standard and refills your chalk bag directly; a refillable chalk ball inside the bag cuts the mess; liquid chalk gives a long-lasting base layer and is popular in gyms. Many climbers use loose chalk with a chalk ball. Start with loose chalk and a bag.
Where can I rock climb in Colorado?
World-class options abound — Boulder Canyon and Eldorado Canyon near Boulder, Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, the high routes in Rocky Mountain National Park, and climbing gyms in most Front Range cities. See our Colorado rock climbing guide.
Is rock climbing safe, and do I need instruction?
Climbing carries real risk, and the rope skills that keep you safe must be learned properly — through a gym, a class, or a certified guide. Do not try to learn belaying or lead climbing from videos. Start indoors with instruction and build from there.
Written by
Melissa
Melissa splits her year between Texas and Summit County, Colorado, where she has spent countless summers and winters hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the high country. She started Breckenmendations to help visitors make the most of Colorado's mountains with the gear, tips, and local know-how she wishes she'd had on her first trip up I-70.
Breckenmendations is written by locals who actually hike, ski, and explore Colorado — see how we pick what we recommend.