What to Wear for Indoor and Outdoor Rock Climbing

Stepping onto the wall for the first time is thrilling; however, your outfit can significantly impact your climbing experience. Wearing the wrong climbing clothing often leads to distraction rather than focus. 

You want to be thinking about your next hold, not adjusting a shirt that rides up or struggling with climbing pants that restrict your movement. This guide covers what to wear for rock climbing to ensure you get the most out of every session.

Outdoor vs Indoor Rock Climbing Outfits                                     

The environment dictates your wardrobe strategy, and understanding it can make all the difference in how prepared you feel. Indoor rock climbing offers a controlled climate where temperature and humidity remain relatively consistent.

Climbing outdoors, on the other hand, presents a more varied environment where shifting weather conditions can change your needs rapidly. You might sweat while hiking, but freeze while belaying in the shade.                        

Understanding all the differences between indoor and outdoor climbing helps you pack the right gear for the day. The majority of climbing deaths occur outside rather than indoors in controlled gym environments. This underscores the importance of proper preparation for weather protection. 

Unlike indoor climbing, outdoor routes require a flexible gear system that can adapt to changing elements like wind, sun exposure, and cold rock surfaces.    

Key Apparel to Wear for Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing Shoes              

Your shoes are the most critical part of your climbing outfit. A pair of snug-fitting climbing shoes should feel secure without causing excruciating pain. A good rule of thumb is that your toes should be slightly curled but not crushed. If you cannot stand in them for a minute without grimacing, they are likely too tight for you. 

Proper footwear is essential for injury prevention. Rock climbing-related injuries presented to USA emergency rooms increased significantly from 2010 to 2019, with many involving foot and ankle issues that appropriate shoes can help prevent.

While rental shoes are great for your first few visits, even if you wear socks, they are often worn out and generic in shape. Purchasing your own pair ensures a consistent fit that supports a better range of motion. 

Climbing Pants or Shorts    

Legwear needs to accommodate extreme ranges of motion, so look for stretchy pants or shorts made with a gusseted crotch. This construction adds a diamond-shaped piece of fabric between the legs to prevent seams from splitting during high steps. For warm-ups or colder gym days, flexible sweatpants are also a good option.  

Durability is also key. Outdoor climbing on granite or sandstone acts like sandpaper on clothing, so avoid wearing jeans. While some climbers prefer fitted yoga pants for indoor sessions, outdoor rock climbing requires thicker, more protective fabrics that still allow a full range of motion. 

Breathable Tops         

Upper body layers should manage moisture effectively. Choose poly knit fabrics or poly-mesh that wick sweat away from your skin and dry quickly. This keeps you cool when working hard and prevents chills when climbing outdoors.

Sleeve length depends on your environment. Tank tops offer maximum freedom of movement, but leave skin exposed to the sun and wall friction. Women might also prefer a sturdy sports bra or tank top that offers both mobility and structural support. 

Long-sleeved shirts provide better protection from the elements and abrasion, though they can feel warmer during intense activity. Regardless of style, avoid cotton if you plan to sweat. It absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin, which can lead to discomfort and temperature regulation issues.    

Layering for Weather Changes    

Mid-Layers

When the temperature drops or the wind picks up, a reliable mid-layer is essential. A lightweight grid fleece or a lightweight jacket works well because they trap warmth without adding bulk or restricting movement.           

Portability is important. Your mid-layer should pack down small enough to fit into a stuff sack that you can clip to your harness. This allows you to carry warmth with you on multi-pitch routes. Look for features like pit-zip ventilation to dump excess heat when you are rock climbing.

Insulating Layer        

For colder days or long periods of inactivity, an insulating jacket is a lifesaver. Synthetic puffy jackets are often preferred over down jackets in damp climates because they retain warmth even when wet. While down offers a superior warmth-to-weight ratio, it loses insulation power if it gets soaked.

An insulating jacket is perfect for belaying. When you are standing still, managing the rope for your partner, your body temperature drops quickly, so look for a lightweight jacket with a hem drawcord that seals in heat.   

Essential Climbing Gear and Accessories  

This is what you need to wear for rock climbing include:

Climbing Harness

Your harness connects you to the safety system. Sport climbing harnesses typically have fewer gear loops and are lightweight; trad harnesses offer more loops for carrying heavy racks of protection. The most important factor is fit. You should be able to fit the waist belt securely over different layers, from a t-shirt to a fleece and jacket combination.

Adjustable leg loops are a valuable feature of climbing gear. They allow you to loosen the fit to accommodate thicker pants in cold weather or tighten them down when wearing shorts in the summer.

Chalk and Chalk Bag

Chalk keeps your hands dry and improves grip. It comes in loose powder, solid blocks, or contained balls. Some gyms require the use of chalk balls or liquid chalk to reduce dust in the air. Always check local rules before chalking up.

You carry this in a chalk bag, which usually attaches around your waist with a simple webbing belt. Alternatively, you can clip it directly to your harness with a carabiner. Just ensure the chalk bag hangs at a height where your hand can naturally dip into it without struggling.

Helmet 

While helmets are sometimes viewed as optional in controlled gym settings, they are mandatory safety equipment for outdoor climbing. Rocks can fall from above, or a fall can swing you into the wall, making head protection critical. Fortunately, modern climbing helmets are lightweight and comfortable, so there's little reason not to wear one.

When selecting a helmet, ventilation is crucial for hot days to prevent overheating. If you have long hair, look for a helmet designed to accommodate a ponytail or hair tie. You should also ensure the fit is adjustable enough to wear a cap or thin beanie underneath for cooler weather.                     

Climb Confidently With the Right Rock Climbing Gear

Stepping onto the wall fully prepared makes all the difference in your climbing experience. By choosing the proper climbing clothing and planning for changing weather conditions, you are building a disciplined routine for comfort and performance.

Once you have the essentials, look the part with our quality climbing apparel. We offer durable climbing jerseys, breathable climbing shorts and a wide range of accessories to elevate your outdoor or indoor adventures. Explore our full selection today and take your climbing to the next level!