Deciding what to wear when rock climbing can be more complicated than actually climbing for some folks. What if I get too hot/cold? What if it’s windy? What if can’t feel my hands while I’m climbing? Do I have the right shoes? I’ve got you. I’ll cover what to wear while rock climbing, indoors or out.
What to Wear for Indoor Rock Climbing
Our new favorite activity just so happens that it can be done indoors. With the surge of rock climbing gyms worldwide, our rainy/windy days have just improved! Gyms are filled with people wearing many different types of clothing. Some wear shorts and T-shirts, while others wear long pants and long sleeves, so you may wonder what to wear for indoor rock climbing. I’ll share the importance of comfortable but functional clothing to wear to the climbing gym.
Onto the clothes! Think of it this way; climbing is a full-body workout. You’ll break a sweat if you keep trying to scramble up those funny-colored boulder problems. I’m sure you’ve heard of “workout clothes” before, but if you haven’t, it’s clothing made with fabrics that support your body, wick sweat, and can stretch well. Moisture-wicking fabrics are a great option to wear in the climbing gym because if you’re working hard, you’re probably sweating hard too.
The best moisture-wicking fabrics are polyester, so be on the lookout for these if you want something to sweat in but not look like you dumped a bucket of water on yourself after your gym session.
What to Wear for Climbing Outdoors
Layers, layers, layers.
I strongly recommend bringing layers for climbing outdoors. Deciding what to wear rock climbing will depend on where you’re climbing, the time of year, and the approach, having the appropriate layers can be the difference between having a good day climbing outside or not.
Here’s an example of what I’ll bring when I go sport climbing at my local crag on a winter day:
The approach is about a mile uphill, so I’ll wear a T-shirt and pants for the hike. If it’s a windy day, I’ll throw on my windbreaker. When I get to the base of the cliff is when the layers really make a difference. On a sunny day, the wall can be 60 degrees and up, so I’ll keep on my T-shirt but change into shorts. If it’s super windy, I’ll throw on a sweater or puffy jacket instead. Of course, the sun isn’t warming up the walls if it’s cloudy and windy; in this case, I’ll probably just go home because the cliffs aren’t going anywhere.
Rock is sharp. Much sharper than the plastic holds indoors. The walls aren’t flat like in a climbing gym, so bumping your knee is usually more painful. I recommend wearing pants to climb in unless you’re worried about overheating. Having something between your skin and the sharp rock is better than having nothing.
Climbing outside is special. You don’t want to have a bad time because you’re too cold or warm. Packing layers ensures you focus on climbing and enjoying the outdoors, not your internal body temperature. Remember to check the forecast before you go out (You want to take up only a little snack space with clothing). Alternatively, weather can roll in quickly depending on where you’re climbing, and being prepared with the proper clothing can be the difference between catching a cold and not.
Did I mention to take layers?
Avoid Restrictive Clothing
We’re climbing! We need to move our bodies as much as possible; you don’t want to rip a hole in your armpit when reaching for a hold, right? For instance, wearing tight skinny jeans may not be a good choice when you need to bring your foot up to your hips on the wall. Either you won’t be able to do it, or you’ll rip your pants. (I’ll let you decide which is just a bummer and which will be embarrassing)
Spoiler alert: Both.
Fabrics like nylon and spandex make for great durable clothing to wear while rock climbing but are also stretchy enough to allow your body to move comfortably. These materials allow a great range of motion but can also withstand a beating when rubbed against rough surfaces.
Shoes to Bring Climbing Indoors and Outdoors
Well, climbing shoes, of course! Other than those, I will recommend this to everyone. Flip-flops/Sandals! It is a joy to peel those small, clawed shoes off your feet and slip into some flip-flops. These are a must-bring for me when I go to the climbing gym or hang out at the crag.
Needing to put your socks and shoes back on every time you want to take a break can be a workout itself.
How To Choose the Right Clothing for Climbing
If you’re struggling to decide what clothing to wear while climbing, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I comfortable?
- Can I move my body functionally?
- Am I worried I’ll be too hot/cold?
- Do I want to protect my skin from sharp rock/rough climbing holds?
- Do I look cool?
Okay, yes, that last one is a joke. Nobody cares what you’re dressed like, especially while climbing.
I know I sound like a broken record, but the best thing to do is to pack layers. By trial and error, you’ll likely leave the beanie at home next time or pack a sweater instead of a puffy jacket. But, of course, It’s better to be overprepared, so try out different layering tactics to find what works for you.
Tips for Climbing in Cold Weather
Have you ever numbed out while climbing? This is when your hands are so cold you can’t feel what you’re holding onto. Numbing out can be dangerous because you don’t know how hard you’re pulling, leading to finger injuries.
You can dress in appropriate layers, which I hope I have hammered in by now, but still be cold because no matter how many pairs of pants you have on, your hands touch the rock (This is when it’s nice to have a climbing gym nearby). Handwarmers are the key here. You can keep them in your pocket or go as far as throwing them in your chalk bag.
(If you’re super psyched like a guy I know, you can sew your own chalk bag with fire retardant material. He brings a stove to the crag and heats up granite rocks to throw in his chalk bag on cold days).
If you’re determined to climb in the cold but not determined enough to carry a stove and a stash of rocks in your pack, invest in a cold-weather buff to go around your neck and wear an insulated beanie. We lose a lot of our heat through our head, so keeping this warm will help regulate the rest of our body. Then when you’re not climbing, slip on a nice pair of gloves/mittens to keep your hands warm.
Tips for Choosing the Right Climbing Shoes
As a beginner, you’ll want to look for neutral to moderate shoes. This signifies the shoe has a flat, or just slightly downturned toe-box. This will let you focus on building your technique first. Finding the right shoe for you when starting out is significant because the last thing you want to worry about when learning how to climb is how uncomfortable your feet are.
Many rock climbing shoe companies carry two different versions of shoes that differ in volume. These are commonly referred as two different styles:
Wide (low volume).
- Low-volume climbing shoes are designed for people with wide and/or high-arched feet.
Narrow (high volume).
- High-volume climbing shoes cater to people with narrow feet and a flat arch.
Regular shoe companies don’t all size the same, and rock climbing shoe companies are no different. Try on as many sizes and styles as possible to ensure you find the right fit. I’ve stuck to the same type and brand of climbing shoe for years because it fits my foot well. If you can, go to your local climbing gym or outdoor store and dedicate time to finding your shoe.
If you need to order online, try using this neat tool that will help you find the right style: Mountain Footwear Project. If you can, I recommend ordering the size you think you need and one pair each in a half-size smaller and larger. You can return the pairs that don’t fit; just keep them in new condition.
What Not to Wear When Rock Climbing
My number one recommendation to avoid wearing while climbing is jewelry. Things like rings, long necklaces, or big earrings. Long necklaces and big earrings are troublesome because they can get caught on the rope and rip your skin during a fall.
Rings are a big no-no with me because they can get caught on holds. I’ll introduce you to the rare but awful accident of “degloving.” (Like I said, this is a rare occurrence, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you). Imagine, if you must, removing a pair of gloves but also removing all the skin/muscles/tendons from your finger. This is “degloving.” It is an extremely hard surgery to repair and often results in the victim having their finger amputated. Yuck.
Okay, now that we’ve been thoroughly disgusted, I’ll move on to actual clothing.
- Try to avoid any type of clothing that restricts your movement. As I mentioned, you don’t want to rip your clothes reaching for a hold.
- On the flip side, try not to wear too baggy clothing either. Baggy clothing can get in the way of seeing holds or mean stepping on your pants instead of using your shoe.
If you take away anything from what not to wear, please avoid jewelry. The rest won’t significantly impact your physical body, but jewelry can halt your climbing altogether and force months of recovery.
Overall, what matters is that you’re comfortable while climbing. Some people have a higher or lower internal body temperature than others, so there is no one-size-fits-all for climbing clothing. If you wear clothing that doesn’t make you too hot or lets you get too cold (and you can still move), it’s the proper clothing to wear.
Knowing what to wear rock climbing will depend on the weather and time of year. Remember that you can always add or remove an article of clothing until you’re comfortable. (If you’re still too hot in your birthday suit, you may just need to wait for cooler temps). Take the time to find the right size climbing shoes and bring a pair of sandals if the weather permits. Keep your hands warm to avoid overuse injuries and take off the jewelry when climbing!
Korey Tockes is an avid rock climber and writer pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. He shares his passion for climbing as a writer for HMH Outdoors’ publication ‘Harness’ and as the Senior Content Writer for iwannabeaclimber.com. With just under a decade of experience, Korey worked as a climbing instructor and coach and has climbed in various locations across the US. His favorite place to climb is in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Korey’s extensive travels and outdoor experience enrich his writing and allow him to connect with readers through his love for climbing.
