Person bouldering outside

What Equipment Do I Need for Bouldering?

What do I need for bouldering?

Clothing

Equipment

Read more

What do I need for bouldering?

Bouldering is great because once you have the basic equipment and some clothing, there isn’t much more to buy until you need to replace them.

This list covers what you will need and why for bouldering outdoors. It is by no means exhaustive, but it aims to give you an idea of what you should be thinking about and the reasoning behind our suggestions.

Clothing for bouldering

Product Spotlight Image

Wicking T-shirt

Warm Jacket

tab image

Equipment for bouldering

Product Spotlight Image

Equipment

Image of Bouldering mat/crash pad

Bouldering mat/crash pad

A bouldering mat, also known as a crash pad, is generally several layers of foam covered in durable fabric that you put on the floor underneath where you are climbing a bouldering problem. They are designed to break a fall and help reduce serious injury and come in many different sizes and densities.

Image of Climbing shoes

Climbing shoes

When choosing the right climbing shoe, you’ll want to consider how they fit, how they fasten and how sensitive the sole unit is.

Image of Chalk & bag

Chalk & bag

Climbing chalk helps combat sweaty hands when climbing. You might choose to have your own personal chalk bag that sits on a belt so you can use it mid-climb, or you might have a chalk bucket that can be left on the floor to be used between attempts.

Image of Brush

Brush

A coarse-haired brush, such as boar hair, is a great accessory for cleaning holds. Brushing away debris and excess chalk at tricky holds can improve grip and make for better climbing.

Image of Backpack

Backpack

A backpack will come in handy for stashing your supplies for a day at the crag. It should be enough for some water, some snacks, an extra layer, a first aid kit and anything else you want to take with you.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for any guidance on specific gear for bouldering, our experienced in-store staff can guide you in the right direction.

Read more

Image of Climbing Ropes Buying Guide

Climbing Ropes Buying Guide

There is a huge variety of different ropes to choose from and a lot of questions to answer. This buying guide will help you find the answers.

Image of Climbing Harness Buying Guide

Climbing Harness Buying Guide

This guide takes you through the main features to look out for when selecting a climbing harness.

Image of Climbing Helmet Buying Guide

Climbing Helmet Buying Guide

This buying guide outlines the pros and cons of the different helmet constructions available. I

Image of How should your climbing shoes fit

How should your climbing shoes fit

This guide will break down how you can find the best climbing shoes for you and how they should fit.