Bolt Up: Spring15 Women’s Rock Climbing Gear Guide

April 1st, 2015 • BY Morgan Tilton

It’s a calm, sunny spring day. Halfway up the pitch, the wind revs up—but you’re wearing a microfleece midlayer with a hood, and rugged, malleable pants: both are designed for rock climbing. You sit back into your harness, pull and zip up your hood, and climb on.

This spring, whether you’re camping and bouldering at Penitente Canyon or crack climbing in Joshua Tree, you’ll be stoked for the adventure and want to make the most of your vacation time by checking off days that are saturated in routes. Besides solid sleep, water, and food, nothing helps energy last longer than having the proper layers for the given conditions. Alongside dense snacks (and brews) these rock climbing gear and apparel essentials are likely stuffed into your approach bag: two midlayers (one heavier than the other), top, bottom, and climbing shoes.

Here’s our Top 5 list for spring rock climbing gear and apparel. This is what you’ll want to be comfortable—and stay comfortable—before, during, and after you rope up.

1. Arc’Teryx Atom AR Hoody ($269)

Lowdown: Wearing the Atom AR Hoody is like rolling yourself up in a down comforter, on your sofa, after a long day of skiing—it’s just that comfortable. The cuffs are a stretch-woven design, so they keep your wrists warm and prevent any gusts of wind to blow up the sleeves. The hood is roomy enough to slide over a helmet or beanie. The jacket is an insulated synthetic mid layer, so it’s ideal use is as a super-warm mid-layer in cold conditions or as a solo cover-up in warmer conditions such as fall, spring, or cold summer nights.

Perfect for: Belaying, especially at dusk or dawn or in a shady canyon.

Favorite feature: That insulated hood. It keeps my ears warm when the temperatures drop or a cool breeze picks up!

2. Patagonia R1 Fleece Hoody ($159)

Lowdown: The R1 Fleece Hoody is the perfect grid-style fleece midlayer: It’s insulating and returns the body’s heat to the wearer, but it isn’t bulky. The arms and torso are designed to be long—which we love! Who likes cold air hitting their lower back when they’re warming up on the rock wall?—plus, the design is cute and stylish. The hood is super-stretchy and provides wide coverage over the forehead, mouth and chin.

Perfect for: A warm-up climb on a spring day, and sliding it on between climbs to stay warm.

Favorite feature: The thumbholes, which allow extra hand coverage. Yet, the sleeves also roll up easily (and stay put) when you’re belaying or going up rock.

3. Black Diamond Creek Pants ($89)

Lowdown: These are the go-to pant for durability and coverage, while also being lightweight enough for springtime weather. (Finally!) Made with Cordura stretch-woven nylon, these puppies are built to withstand knee scraping and hip holds. Plus, the design is gusseted to permit the much-needed range of motion for stems and high steps.

Perfect for: Protection during a hike-to approach that’s sidelined with brush or desert terrain, staying warm while standing stagnant at the bottom of a route, grabbing a bite to eat post climb, and—of course—the actual climb.

Favorite feature: How light the pants feel. Also, as a bonus, the belt-loop waist and five-pocket design are stylish, so the pants look casual pre- and post-climbing.

4. Black Diamond Six Shooter Tank ($55)

Lowdown: This climbing tank has edgy, fashion forward appeal without sacrificing comfort. The straps are narrow and uninhibiting. There is an integrated inner fabric shelf for the chest for additional support, so you have the option to go sans sports bra (may depend on individual comfort level and chest size). Plus, the fabric is stretchy, breathable, and the seams have a flat construction to eliminate chafing.

Perfect for: Sunny spring days at the bouldering pad or up the big wall.

Favorite feature: The elegant, attractive strap design.

5. FiveTen Blackwing ($165) and Hiangle ($150)

Lowdown: First off, have you heard of Stealth rubber? It’s mostly recognized as the highest friction rubber for athletic footwear on the market. The Blackwing is constructed with a Stealth HF rubber, which is designed to be uber-sticky and conform to all of the subtle surface changes it contacts. The HF is a bit softer, more forgiving composition than the Stealth C4 rubber, which is used in the stiffer option: the Hiangle. The Blackwing is also outfit with a padded tongue and a super-soft, fleecy microfiber lining to wick away sweat and nix the buildup of bister-causing hot spots. The Hiangle has a slightly downturned outsole for leverage and doesn’t have the synthetic lined leather upper, allowing a breezy and super comfty feel.

Perfect for: The Blackwing is great for over-hanging rock and caves. The Hiangle is great for climbers who prefer a stiffer feel under toe.

Favorite feature: Stealth rubber.

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