Climbing Equipment: From Harness to Gloves - How to Choose and How Much

The difference between chest harness, rope, and lower belay for climbing

The first steps vertically have been taken, and you’re ready to drive your first piton to conquer a more challenging route on your journey skyward.

What makes a maestro a maestro? Right—their tools. Climbers have plenty of them, and the nuances of selecting specialized gear are a topic worthy of a dedicated article.

Piton

Climbing anchor with a cable Among your helpers, you’ll find a lot of specialized climbing equipment .

Most of it is metallic. Take the aforementioned piton, for instance; it is made from steel or various alloys, such as titanium, molybdenum, or aluminum. Visually, the piton is a wedge with an eyelet. Obviously, it is hammered into a crack with the tapered end to ensure maximum wedging.

A well-driven, solid piton can withstand a load of up to 2000 kg—and that represents a human life: yours or your climbing partner’s.

Softer pitons cannot handle such heavy loads. Their maximum is up to 1000 kg, though this is more the exception than the rule; on average, such a piton can handle loads of up to 700 kg.

This is one of the more affordable pieces of climbing equipment, costing around $3.

Titanium pitons are lighter but are inferior to steel ones in mechanical properties. Keep in mind that a piton is often used repeatedly. Over time, it deforms due to hammering, friction against the crack walls, and the force of a fall.

These wedges with eyelets come in various configurations, much like shirt collars:

V-shaped, Z-shaped, or U-shaped;
Petal-shaped;
Box-shaped, among others.

This variety is due to the diversity of cracks encountered on climbing routes. Narrow and small, wide and long—all of them are ready to take a piton, but each requires a particular type. Often, the correctly chosen shape of a piton can mean the difference between life and death.

Proper nutrition for climbers ->

Another important nuance: how well has the piton been hammered? It might be perfect in every way but fail to “sing.”

Yes, that’s right, the piton should sing as you hammer it in!

As you drive the piton, the sound should increase in pitch. Listen to this song as you strike it with the piton’s best friend—a climbing hammer.

Climbing Hammer

Climber's axe or stake The hammer works in tandem with the piton. This is obvious: without a climbing hammer, you can’t drive a piton into a rock crack.

Additionally, the hammer is used to remove obstructive rock protrusions. For the climber’s convenience, the metallic handle is coated with rubber or plastic, less often wood.

Which rocky walls don’t require processing ->

In the latter case, manufacturers must include a metal guard to ensure the wooden handle does not split if you accidentally miss and hit the handle against the rock (or worse, your fingers!).

What types of climbing grades exist ->

The main distinctive feature of a climbing hammer is the pick. Regardless of its configuration or manufacturer, it must always have a pick. It’s a hallmark feature. Occasionally, it’s hard to tell which part of the hammer—handle or pick—is used more during a rock-climbing route.

The pick serves various purposes:

Removing pitons;
Holding onto the rock’s surface;
Adjusting placements.

And the handle must be exceptionally sturdy. Even when purchasing a certified hammer from a reputable brand (price starting from $26), test it at home. Use your full strength and work it hard on a household task. If it passes this ordeal with flying colors, it’s ready to take to the mountains.

The hammer’s pick has a small hole. This is for a carabiner. While still in the store, check whether your carabiner fits into this hole.

The handle also has a small hole, often referred to as an eyelet. Its presence is mandatory: this is for attaching a safety cord. This cord prevents the hammer from slipping out of your hands and—worst case scenario—hitting a climbing partner below. At best, it simply ensures you’re not left empty-handed while on a climb. Why take such risks?! And finally about the hammer: where to put it? Certainly not in your pocket. There are wonderful developments in this direction:

elastic straps;
special loops.

These charming loops are attached to the belt of the harness system.

Harness System

Climbing harness Without it, you can’t go anywhere.

It is one of the main pieces of climbing equipment that ensures safety.

The harness consists of three parts:

chest strap;
belt;
seat harness.

Since this is the safety guarantee for a climber, the construction must meet certain requirements after a fall:

allow the climber to remain without pain for up to 10 minutes;
enable free movement of limbs;
prevent the person from flipping upside down.

Harness systems are sewn individually from specialized webbing, with prices starting at $18.

This component connects the climber to the rope.

Rope

Climbing ropes This is the cornerstone of a climber’s equipment.

Climbing ropes can be categorized into the following types:

dynamic;
static;
accessory.

We are interested in the first type, which has its own subtypes:

single rope;
half rope;
twin rope.

All are equally safe. Cost - from $100 per coil.

Coils come in 30, 40, or 50 meters. Most often, 40-meter ropes are used.

The choice when purchasing depends more on personal preference.

It is believed that working with a single rope is easier and more universal. However, this likely requires some experience.

Here’s a great tip: during ascents, have ropes of different colors (fortunately, this is no longer a problem nowadays) to make it easier to give commands: “Lower the green one! Release the red one!”

Otherwise, you might find yourself hanging on the rock, trying to explain with gloved fingers which rope to work with and how.

Rock climbing for beginners ->

Climbing Gloves

Climbing gear - reliable climber's grip Do you need them? This is a personal question.

But you should still try attempting a climbing route in gloves.

The price for these items can be quite steep, but for yourself (of course), what could possibly stop your desire to protect your hands from unnecessary cuts?

Choose products from well-established manufacturers: the French Petzl or the Swiss Mammut. Price range starts from $50.

What is included in a climber’s personal gear ->