THE SELF-COACHED GUMBY
Sport Climbing Gear Checklist
When first going on independent trips to sport crags, it is easy to forget something critical or end up short on gear. Even with some experience, you can continue to optimize gear selection based on factors like temperature, approach difficulty, and route length. This checklist covers the basics, and may provide some ideas of what else could be useful in various conditions.
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Hover over the boxes (tap the images on mobile) to see more info and links to related posts.
The Essentials
Rope
Research the crags you plan on visiting to appropriately choose a rope length (or take the only one you have)
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1 per pair
Rope Bag/Pack
A rope bag with a built-in tarp, or a standalone tarp is critical to keeping the rope clean.
Quickdraws
Quantity is route length dependent - the shortest routes (~30ft) will require 5-6, while 100ft+ well-protected routes could require up to 18.
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6-18 per pair
Belay Device
An ATC or assisted belay device like a Gri Gri.
1 per person
Sling or PAS
Essential for cleaning routes - some use quickdraws to go in direct, but a sling gives you much more room to clean and keeps the extra gear to a minimum.
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1 per person
Locking Carabiners
Used for belaying, but also for setting up top-ropes, cleaning, and more. It is always good to have an extra on your harness just in case.
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2-3 per person
Rappel Device
If your belay device does not double as a rappel device, bring an ATC or equivalent for situations when rappelling becomes necessary.
1 per person
Helmet
No reason not to. Wear both when climbing and belaying, little rocks come off routes all the time, especially in less well-traveled areas.
Harness
This site recommends against the old school wrap-rope-around-waist​ method.
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1 per person
Climbing Shoes
Don't forget em or you're gonna have a bad time
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1 per person
Chalk Bag
Depending on rock type, humidity, and temperature you may go through chalk much more quickly than indoors.
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1 per person
Guidebook
Guide books are always key to finding crags and routes successful.
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1 per group
Mountain Project
Don't forget to download the area on MP before leaving cell service! Even with a good guide book, it is helpful to cross-reference against MP grades, bolt counts, and comments.
Water
Bring 1-2 liters per person depending on temperature and how long you'll be out, preferably in a Camelback or similar.
Snacks
Being hangry at the crag is no fun. Take some dense, compact snacks. Avoid anything that leaves crumbs/debris - it adds up quickly at popular areas.
Recommended Extras
Stick Clip
Considered essential for some areas (e.g. RRG) with high first bolts or sketchy landing areas. Also doubles as a walking stick.
Belay Footwear
Compact, slip-on footwear (e.g. flip-flops, slippers, crocs) are great for switching between climbing and belaying.
On trivial approaches, you may get away with hiking in with them.
First Aid
A full kit may be too bulky, but bandaids and tape come in handy for blisters and finger cuts.
Trash Bag
Be a hero and pick up some trash at the crag or on the trail.
Camera
For those inclined to bring a camera (I often am), consider taking the lightest/smallest lens and camera you have. A ultra compact tripod like this one is very handy.
Resistance Bands
Weighing nothing and taking up no space, these are good for warming up arms, shoulders, back, etc.
Bail Carabiners
In the event that you can't get to the top of a route, you may need to bail by lowering off 2 carabiners (on different bolts) and leaving them on the route. Read this for more info on bailing.
Cord
If you end up having to rappel for any reason, cord should be used to backup the rappel with an autoblock.
Multi-pitch Sport
For multi-pitch climbs, you will definitely need some additional gear on top of the essentials above. Determine what extras you'll need based on length of route, guidebook/MP recommendations, and your preferred anchor & belay methods.
ATC Guide/Reverso
For belaying a second (or even third) climber from above. There are a number of devices/methods for doing this.
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1 per person
Alpine Draws
Meandering routes and traverses are more common in multi-pitch, occasionally making alpine draws essential to direct the rope.
​
1-2 (maybe more, check route info)
Extra Slings/PAS
A couple of slings are needed to set up belay anchors, personal anchors, or extend rappels.
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2-3 per person of different lengths from 60-120cm
Extra Lockers
Compact lockers for setting up anchors, one for belaying, possibly some large ones for rope management. Better to have an extra than be one short.
​
3-4 per person
Mini Backpack
For many-pitch routes you'll need to take a mini pack with water and food
​
1 per group
Cold Weather
Climbing in cold weather is all about keeping warm - especially in between routes - so that you can take advantage of the good rock conditions.
Hand Warmers
Cold fingers can be debilitating. Stash hand warmers in your chalk bag - it creates a warm pocket of air and warms up the chalk itself.
Gloves
While belaying and during any non-climbing time, it is critical to keep your hands warm.
Thermos
A hot beverage will help you keep warm when taking breaks between routes.
Compact Layers
Obviously more clothes keep you warmer. Wearing compressible, compact layers makes it easier to pack/unpack these layers as the temperature changes during the day.
Situational/Seasonal Gear
Additional Info
The Essentials
Rope
Research the crags you plan on visiting to appropriately choose a rope length (or take the only one you have). 1 per pair
Our Recommendation: A 70m rope is probably the most versatile length for sport climbing if you are only buying one. It is rare to see single pitches longer than 35 meters in the U.S., but with a 60m you will occasionally find yourself limited by rope length. At some international areas (e.g. Kalymnos), you would be very limited with a rope shorter than 70m.
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Rope Bag/Pack
A rope bag with a built-in tarp, or a backpack with a tarp is critical to keeping the rope clean. 1 per pair
Our Recommendation: The Petzl Bolsa bag is excellent improving efficiency in moving from route-to-route or crag-to-crag. To pack the rope you simply grab the corners of the tarp and the rope slides in. It can also fit climbing gear so you won't need two packs. Downside: uncomfortable straps.
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Quickdraws
Quantity needed is route-length dependent; the shortest routes (~30ft) will require 5-6, while 100ft+ well-protected routes could require up to 18. 6-18 per pair
Our Recommendation: If money is no object or you find a sweet deal, the Petzl Spirit
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Belay Device
An ATC or assisted belay device like a GriGri. I consider an assisted belay device essential for outdoor climbing for a variety of reasons, but most of all because it serves as a backup to the belayer should they loose control of the rope for any reason (e.g. rockfall, swinging into something after a catch, losing grip on the rope). This article gives a good overview. 1 per person
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Sling or PAS
Essential for cleaning routes - some use quickdraws to go in direct, but a sling gives you much more room to clean and keeps the extra gear to a minimum. 1 per person
​
Locking Carabiners
Used for belaying, but also for setting up top-ropes, cleaning, and more. It is always good to have an extra on your harness.​ 2-3 per person
Rappel Device
If your belay device does not double as a rappel device, bring an ATC or equivalent for situations when rappelling becomes necessary. 1 per person
​
Guidebook
Usually the best tool for finding crags and routes successfully. 1 per group
Mountain Project
Install the MP app on your phone and install the area before leaving cell service. Even with a good guide book, it is helpful to cross-reference against MP grades, bolt counts, and comments.
Harness
This site recommends against the old school wrap-rope-around-waist​ method. 1 per person
Climbing Shoes
Don't forget em or you're gonna have a bad time. 1 pair per person
Chalk Bag
Depending on rock type, humidity, and temperature you may go through chalk much more quickly than indoors. 1 per person
Helmet
No reason not to. Wear both when climbing and belaying, little rocks come off routes all the time, especially in less well-traveled areas. 1 per person
Water
Bring 1-2 liters per person depending on temperature and how long you'll be out, preferably in a Camelback or similar.
Snacks
Being hangry at the crag is no fun. Take some dense, compact snacks. Avoid anything that leaves crumbs/debris - it adds up quickly at popular areas.
Recommended Extras
Stick Clip
Considered essential for some areas (e.g. RRG) with high first bolts or sketchy landing areas. Also doubles as a walking stick.
​
Belay Footware
Compact, slip-on footwear (e.g. flip-flops, slippers, crocs) are great for switching between climbing and belaying.
On trivial approaches, you may get away with hiking in with them.
First Aid
A full kit may be too bulky, but bandaids and tape come in handy for blisters and finger cuts.
Trash Bag
Be a hero and pick up some trash at the crag or on the trail.
Camera
For those inclined to bring a camera (I often am), consider taking the lightest/smallest lens and camera you have. An ultra-compact tripod like this one is very handy.
Resistance Bands
Weighing nothing and taking up no space, these are good for warming up arms, shoulders, back, etc.
Bail Carabiners
In the event that you can't get to the top of a route, you may need to bail by lowering off 2 carabiners (on different bolts) and leaving them on the route. Read this for more info on bailing.
Cord
If you end up having to rappel for any reason, cord should be used to back up the rappel with an autoblock.
Multi-Pitch Sport
ATC Guide/Reverso
For belaying a second (or even third) climber from above. There are a number of devices/methods for doing this.​ 1 per person
​
Alpine Draws
Meandering routes and traverses are more common in multi-pitch, occasionally making alpine draws essential to direct the rope.​ 1-2 (maybe more, check route info)
Extra Slings
A couple of slings are needed to set up belay anchors, personal anchors, or extend rappels.​ 2-3 per person of different lengths from 60-120cm
Extra Lockers
Compact lockers for setting up anchors, one for belaying, possibly some large ones for rope management. Better to have one or two extra than be short.​ 3-4 per person
​
Mini Backpack
For many-pitch routes you'll need to take a mini pack with water and food​. 1 per group
Cold Weather
Hand Warmers
Cold fingers can be debilitating. Stash hand warmers in your chalk bag - it creates a warm pocket of air and warms up the chalk itself.
Gloves
While belaying and during any non-climbing time, it is critical to keep your hands warm.
Thermos
A hot beverage will help you keep warm when taking breaks between routes.
Compact Layers
Obviously more clothes keep you warmer. Wearing compressible, compact layers makes it easier to pack/unpack these layers as the temperature changes during the day.