Climbing Checklist: Sport, Gym, Bouldering, and Trad
What To Bring Climbing
Picture it: You convince a buddy to belay you on your project. Drive to the crag. Shoulder the pack. Hike and scramble 45 minutes to the base of the climb. And realize you forgot your harness.
We know that pain. That’s why we made a climbing checklist to make preparing for your send go as seamless as your beta.
Climbing Checklist
It doesn’t matter if you’re hauling a rope and protection or just heading to your local boulder field for a circuit session. Some climbing gear, like chalk and rock shoes, will always be on the list. For certain disciplines, it gets more specific. You can print out our full climbing checklist or one of the specialty ones below.
Note that not every climber will bring every item. We recommend touching base with your climbing party before you carpool to make sure you have enough ropes, draws, crash pads, and other gear to go around. Gear like harnesses and climbing shoes, on the other hand, are your personal responsibility.
Sport Climbing Checklist
Besides lots of stoke and a belayer, our sport climbing checklist includes all the must–haves for the crag. Note that not every climber will bring every item.
Personal Sport Climbing Items
30-35L Pack
Climbing Shoes
Approach Shoes
Chalk Bag
Harness
Climbing Helmet
Belay Gloves
Runners
Personal Anchor System (PAS) Or Double-length Runner
Locking Carabiners (1 per belay device, 2 for a PAS)
Finger Tape
First Aid Kit
Headlamp
Water
Food
Sun Protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
Extra Layers
Shared Sport Climbing Items
Quickdraws (1 per bolt on your route, plus 2 for the anchors)
Rope (2x as long as the tallest route you plan to climb)
Grigri (or other assisted-braking or auto-locking belay device)
ATC (or other tubular or auto-blocking belay device for rappelling)
Stick Clip
Belay Glasses
For tips on how to pick sport climbing gear, check out our guide to Sport Climbing Essentials.
Gym Climbing Checklist
Climbing at the gym is a lot more forgiving if you forget your chalk bag at home. However, we appreciate the consistency of our own gear, even when we’re projecting on plastic. Here’s what to bring gym climbing.
Gear For Gym Bouldering
Climbing Shoes
Chalk Bag or Chalk Bucket
Water Bottle
Snacks
Gear For Top Roping & Leading
Harness
Belay Devices (most gyms require assisted-braking or auto-blocking styles)
30-35mm rope (if leading)
Belay Glasses
New to indoor climbing? Explore our gym climbing guide for tips on getting started.
Bouldering Checklist
If you’re used to sport climbing, packing for pebble wrestling may feel foreign at first. Here’s our bouldering checklist to help you get set to send.
Rock Shoes
Approach Shoes
15-20L Daypack
Crash Pad(s)
Chalk Bag or Chalk Bucket
Headlamp
Guidebook
Brush
Water
Food
Sun Protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
Extra Layers
Read our Bouldering Essentials guide for tips on how to choose new gear.
Trad Climbing Checklist
Not all climbers dive into trad climbing, but those who do probably already have a well-dialed checklist of their own. If you’re new to the discipline or just want a handy tool to pin to your gear wall, here’s what to bring trad climbing.
Personal Trad Climbing Items
30-40L pack
Rock Shoes
Approach Shoes
Chalk Bag
Harness
Helmet
Belay Device (auto-braking or autoblocking)
Auto-blocking Belay Device (for rapelling and belaying on multi-pitch routes)
PAS
Cordelette
4 Locking Carabiners
Runners & Slings
Belay Gloves
Crack Gloves
Climbing Tape
Headlamp
Nut Tool
Walkie Talkies
Food
Water Bottle or Hydration System
First Aid Kit
Shared Trad Climbing Items
Rope (2x as the tallest route you plan to climb)
Alpine Quickdraws
Trad Rack (specific pieces depend on your route)
Carabiners
8-15L Pack (for multi-pitch routes)
For more info on building out your first trad rack, here’s our How To.
FAQ
Q: What should I bring climbing?
A: Chalk and climbing shoes are essential for any climbing adventure. If you’re top rope climbing, you should also bring a harness, belay device, and locking carabiner. For sport, bouldering, or trad climbing, see our full climbing checklist above.
Q: Do beginners need climbing shoes?
A: With their sticky rubber soles, climbing shoes help your toes grip small foot holds. Some climbing shoes are flat like sneakers, and some have an aggressive curve. Most beginners wear flat climbing shoes. They should fit snug—not too tight—without socks. If you’re climbing indoors, you can rent climbing shoes from your rock gym. If you’re climbing outside, you’ll need to purchase your own shoes. Find out more about how to choose and purchase climbing shoes here.
Q: Do you need chalk as a beginner?
A: Climbers of all levels use chalk to improve their grip. Climbing chalk absorbs moisture from your hands and fingers, which provides more friction on big and small holds alike. If you don’t own your own chalk bag, most indoor climbing gyms have them for rent.
Q: Do you need to be fit to start climbing?
A: Climbing is for people of all fitness levels. However, knowing your ability is an important part of recreating safely outdoors. Climbing gyms set boulders and routes for beginners and experts alike, which makes them the premier spot to get familiar with the sport safely. We recommend climbing indoors first before testing your limits at the crag.