Gifts for Climbers: 8 Ideas That Don't Mean Guessing Their Gear

Why gear is the hard part

Climbing shoes are chosen for one foot and one style of climbing, and a size too big is useless. Harnesses, ropes and belay devices are safety equipment, and most climbers want to pick those themselves. That is why gear makes a risky gift. The good news is that the gifts below don't need any of that knowledge.

Gifts that fit any climber

1. A voucher to resole their shoes

This one gets around the gear problem completely, because the shoes are already theirs. They chose them, they broke them in, and new rubber gives them a second life for a fraction of the price of a new pair. Anyone who climbs regularly wears through the toes sooner or later. Most resolers sell vouchers or let you pay for a resole in advance. How to tell when shoes are ready is in our guide on when to resole climbing shoes.

2. A pass for their gym

A 10-visit pass or a month of membership is the gift that gets used. Almost every gym sells gift vouchers at the front desk, so you don't need to know anything except which gym they go to.

3. A visit to a gym they have never climbed in

Every gym sets differently, and a new one feels like a small trip. A day pass in another city, maybe with a weekend around it, is a gift that is really an experience.

4. Chalk and a good brush

Chalk runs out, so a bag of it is never wasted. A proper brush for cleaning holds is something many climbers never buy for themselves. If they boulder in a gym, a chalk bucket that stands on the floor is a nice upgrade from a small bag. More on chalk in our guide to chalk and skin care.

5. Skin care

Climbers go through their fingertips. A balm for after the session, a nail file or fine sandpaper for calluses, and a roll of finger tape make a small, useful set.

6. A guidebook for their area

If they climb outside, or want to, a guidebook for the crag or region nearest to them is something they will open again and again. Ask a local climbing shop which one is current, because older editions miss newer routes. If topos are new to them, our guide on how to read a climbing topo helps.

7. A course

Most gyms and clubs run technique courses, and many offer a course for taking the step from the gym to real rock. A course is a gift that keeps its value long after the day itself.

8. A hangboard, only if they already train

A hangboard builds finger strength, but it is hard on tendons and only makes sense for climbers with at least a year behind them. If they already talk about training plans, it is a great gift. If they are new, choose something else from this list. Our guide to climbing training for beginners explains why.

What to leave alone

• Climbing shoes: fit depends on the foot, the brand and the style of climbing. Even a good model in the wrong size stays in the box. Our guide to choosing climbing shoes shows how personal that choice is.
• Harness, rope, belay device and carabiners: this is safety equipment, and most climbers want to choose it themselves.
• A crash pad: big, expensive, and the right one depends on where and how they boulder. Only if they have named the exact model.

If you only know that they climb

For someone who has just started, a gym pass or a course is the safest choice. For someone who climbs every week, a resole voucher or a good brush. For someone who is drawn outside, a guidebook. And if you want to know what is happening in the climbing world in the meantime, the Climbers Delight newsletter brings it to your inbox every week.