My Firsts for Climbing Gear vs. What I Use Now

Written By Delaney Michels

Here are my firsts and currents for climbing gear!! I am affiliated and receive commission with La Sportiva, Mammut, and REI. If you take any of my recommendations here, consider purchasing through these affiliate links. It’s a great way to support my work and helps me continue dedicating time and energy to creating posts like this. Thank you for your support!

My Firsts

vs. What I have now

  • Climbing Shoes

    • Solutions- my go-to sport climbing, send hard shoe. I also oddly love crack climbing hand cracks in these??? I will be buried in these shoes. <3

    • Katanas - great versatility for crack, sport, cruising. Comfort and light aggressive. (I got these before the solutions and lovedddd them. Still just have them as secondary shoes, in need of a resole.)

    • TC pros - Great for crack climbing and as more comfortable multi-pitch shoes. Very versatile and non aggressive.

  • Harness

  • Crack Gloves:

    • Black Diamond- love these for smaller cracks or to feel the crack more!

    • Ocun- been trying these out, great for larger sized cracks but dont love how thick they are!

    • Metolius -were my first and are are great too!

  • Chalk bag- my current chalk bag is a hand-me-down. “Do Good. By cotopaxi.” I linked another good option, Mammut also has one with a zipped phone compartment, yes please!

  • PAS - Another hand me down. I would recommend getting an even more light weight/functional one. This is a bit bulky for my liking. Alpine PAS

  • Rope- I am in love. PINK, versatile, perfect! Linked my exact one.

  • Quick Draws 

  • LOCKING Carabiners- I have a unique assortment of carabiners from friends. Not initially knowing exactly what I needed, I found that the sizing and shape are often versatile and sometimes depend on personal preference. As you use them, you'll get a better idea of what you like and what works best for your needs.

  • ATC

  • Approach Shoes

    • Mutants - scrambling, approaching, running, hiking all in one

This is a simple list of my old and new gear. Do your own research and make sure you understand all of your equipment and systems before climbing. Remember, safety is so sexy and your life is precious!

On Used Gear, Hand Me Downs, Affordable Options

You do not need ALL the new equipment and gadgets. I recommend sourcing second hand and hand me downs from friends/community. For equipment like a gri-gri, PAS, ATC, Harness, and gear make sure you know the life and integrity of the item or buy NEW. If you get hand-me downs on essentials like these, just make sure you ask the life and condition of the items.

Below is a list of my favorite used gear stores in the Denver/Boulder area. One of the best things about climbing is that there is incredible community and often times you do not need everything to get started. Start small if you are on a budget and build up your equipment. It also makes every item personal and beloved!!

Used gear stores:

  • The Wilderness Exchange - check out their used gear and discounted section downstairs. They have used climbing shoes upstairs and chalk bags with lifetime free chalk! *does offer reselling if you have used items to exchange

  • REI - check out there used gear sections. The REI flagship location has a huge selection on the very top floor.

  • Feral - great selection for used shoes and clothing. *does offer reselling if you have used items to exchange

  • Boulder Sports Recycle - incredible selection for used shoes, clothing, harness’s, chalk bags, backpacks, and other gear. Their items are always discounted and dated for future discounting if they do not sell quickly. *does offer reselling if you have used items to exchange/sell

Delaney Michels
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