In order to end up with the climbing equipment best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of climbing equipment are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in climbing equipment.
Research the market: Climbing Equipment essentials
Your climbing activities may take many forms such as rock or ice climbing, bouldering, tree climbing or pole climbing. Whether you find yourself scrambling up a local rock formation or clinging to the eternal snows of K2, chances are good you will need an excellent rope and gear to facilitate your efforts.
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the climbing equipment market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Rope: Whether you are repelling, mountaineering, top roping, multi-pitching, or ice climbing, you'll need to know which diameter of rope you'll need to use. Ropes are measured in millimeters. In climbing, their thickness ranges from 11 millimeters to around 7.5 millimeters. Thick ropes are better for top roping; making it easier for the person on the ground, the belayer, to help lower the climber. Thicker ropes create more friction as they run through the carabiner and usually last longer. Thinner ropes are easier to control and clip into the carabiners as the climber ascends when lead climbing, but will wear down more quickly.
Harness: Choosing a harness should also be carefully done. You'll want to make sure that the waist belts fit well and that your legs fit into the leg loops. Also, make sure that the back support has sufficient padding. Women's and men's harnesses differ, so if you are climbing with a partner of the opposite sex, be sure to each have your own harness. If you are going to ice climb, be sure your harness will adjust to fit over your clothes.
Crampons: When you are looking at different sets of crampons, see if they are compatible and will fit around the type of climbing boot or hiking shoe that you will be using.
Shape & Fit: Crampons and harnesses come in different styles and sizes. Some harnesses are designed for smaller-framed climbers, while others are designed for the larger framed. If you fall while climbing, you might turn upside-down and your harness will have to 'catch' your fall, so once your harness is fastened make sure it cannot be pulled below your hips.
Cost: The cost of a new rope will be one of the major expenses when purchasing your own climbing equipment. A high-quality rope with basic stretch will cost three times as much as a lesser-quality rope. A quality harness will cost twice as much as a lesser model. And, the highest-quality set of crampons will cost you only twice as much as those of a lesser quality.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in climbing equipment. For example, are you just starting out at an indoor rock wall or are you an experienced climber?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used climbing equipment before? |
| | If you have used climbing equipment, work out what you did or didn't like about the climbing equipment. You may be looking for some exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What do I want ropes, a harness, and crampons for? |
| | Perhaps you will be climbing at an indoor recreational center. If so, you may want to buy your own equipment, although these places will generally rent the necessary equipment to you. Or you could be looking at replacing some older climbing equipment. |
| How often will I use the climbing equipment? |
| | Maybe you will be using it two times per week or only a few times per year. If you will be using it less frequently you may not need equipment designed to last a life time. |
| What sort of climbing will I be doing? |
| | You could be top roping, or perhaps you can see yourself climbing up a glacier wall. The climbing equipment you'll need depends on the type of climbing you'll be doing. |
| How much do I want to spend? |
| | Climbing ropes are expensive, but harnesses and crampons are relatively affordable. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of climbing equipment and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:CramponsCrampons and ice equipmentGet a grip with these cramponsHarnessesHarness low-downWhat do you need in a harness?InformationClimbing equipment for beginners: what you needMountain Climbing: what is it and what do I need to do it?Thinking of ice climbing? This is what you'll needMountaineering equipmentRopesSelecting climbing ropes