by Christopher Schafenacker
While the downside of having a rock climber in your life may be that all they think about is rock climbing, the upside is that gift-giving becomes pretty easy. Nothing makes a climber happier than more climbing gear, and the following list of gift ideas provides some guidance. Rock climbing requires no shortage of gear, and the range covers everything from stocking stuffer-sized items to those that require an entire garage worth of space. Read on to learn all you need to know to keep your climber happy, not just during the holidays, but throughout the entire coming year.
Stocking Stuffers for Climbers
1. Chalk Bag Not only is a chalk bag a key piece of any climber’s arsenal, the item itself is essentially a climbing-shaped stocking. Every climber already has one, but why not upgrade their kit by giving a chalk bag that both ups their style points and makes them think of you at every new crux they encounter? 8BPLUS is one among many companies that designs chalk bags that are not only of great quality, but pretty cute, too!
2. Boar’s Hair Brushes
The perfect complement to a chalk bag—and the Cadillac of climbing brushes—any climber who uses chalk (read: all of us) needs a good boar’s hair brush to scrub it off after sending. 99Boulders is a good resource for reading up on the best brushes currently on the market.
3. Portable Hangboard Chalk is essential for climbing hard, but even more important are strong fingers. Give your climber a portable hangboard, and not only do you give them the ability to train finger strength anywhere, you give them an essential warm-up tool that keeps them injury-free and able to climb safely year-round.
Gifts That’ll Make Your Climber Happier Than Sending 9a (5.14d)
1. Home Woody Every climber fantasizes about erecting their own home woody. To the uninitiated, that may sound dirty, but to your climber, it sounds like limitless access to what they love most: climbing. A home woody is climber-speak for a home climbing wall, and it is the holy grail of training tools.
2. Crash Couch The only thing better than climbing is kicking back and talking about climbing after a hard day of climbing (yes, climbers are boring). Naturally, the best place to do this is at the campground, the base of the crag, or while nursing limp arms and staring longingly at your home woody. You can’t do this without a place to kick back, though, which is where the Crash Couch comes in. This easy-to-assemble couch works with pretty much any crash pad, and packs flat for easy transport. Not only is it convenient, it’s comfortable…and it fits two, making those fireside snuggles possible for anyone able to endure an evening of chatter about that how that high left foot is the key to unlocking that big huck off the razor-edge right-hand crimp (and so on and on and on).
3. Stick Clip A stick clip is a climber’s dirty little indulgence. Sure, hardliners will tell you a real send involves setting all of the draws, but these are people who have more testosterone than common sense. Most serious climbing injuries result from falls taken low down, and a stick clip mitigates this danger by allowing you to set the first one or two pieces of protection before leaving the ground. Give your climber the Beta Stick EVO and you give them the gift of a life without broken ankles (or worse).
Featured Climbing Training Gear
*NEW* The Rocketeer Wall: our free-standing adjustable solution for those who can’t mount a hangboard anywhere in their home or apartment—or who are limited on space. The Rocketeer gives climbers the additional option to set specific climbing holds. Recreate the crux holds of your proj and get ready to send, bruh.
The Rocket Wall: Available in 6’ and 8’ widths, it’s been tough for us to keep up with the demand for this innovative home climbing wall solution. Slightly overhanging, the Rocket Wall is big enough to set routes on, or to build a systems board.
The Rock-Stah: Our handcrafted version of a traditional hangboard, with curving crimp rails to help alleviate unnecessary strain on your pulleys. Because ain’t no one got time for a finger injury…
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