Checklist · 9 picks · 3 categories
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To start climbing at the gym, you really only need two things of your own: shoes and a chalk bag. Rental shoes work for a first visit, but a comfortable beginner pair like the La Sportiva Finale is the first upgrade most climbers make. If you only boulder, that's it. Rope climbing adds a harness and a belay device, and most gyms rent both while you learn and pass their belay check. The shoes, harnesses and belay devices are OutdoorGearLab test winners, and the chalk bags come from Treeline Review, with each card showing the drawback the testers called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you are heading outside to climb rock; outdoor climbing needs ropes, protection and a guide or mentor first.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 29, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Best climbing shoesmid pick · Lace-up
Best for your first pair of climbing shoes
OutdoorGearLab's best beginner climbing shoe: affordable, incredibly comfortable and durable, with a flat, beginner-friendly shape.
Heads up. Not great on steep overhangs, and the thick sole is less precise
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best climbing shoe for beginners.
$100+
View at REIStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
Best chalk bagbudget pick · Standard
Best for a simple first chalk bag
Treeline Review's best affordable chalk bag: no frills, with Black Diamond's two-year warranty.
Heads up. The closure could be more secure
1 outlet. Treeline Review best affordable chalk bag.
$15-25
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mid pick · Fuzzy character
Best for climbers who want personality
Treeline Review's best overall chalk bag: a fuzzy character bag that's funny, functional and light.
Heads up. Easily mistaken for a dog toy, and it gets dirty fast
1 outlet. Treeline Review best overall chalk bag.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petzl Sama | budget | $50-100 | top-rope and belaying at the gym | 1 outlet |
| Black Diamond Solution | mid | $100+ | sport and lead climbing | 1 outlet |
| Petzl Sitta | splurge | $100+ | a harness for gym, crag and beyond | 1 outlet |
| Black Diamond ATC Guide | budget | $50-100 | learning to belay | 1 outlet |
| Petzl GriGri | mid | $100+ | experienced belayers | 1 outlet |
| Petzl GriGri Plus | splurge | $100+ | new climbers who want extra safety | 1 outlet |
Best harnessbudget pick · Men's
Best for top-rope and belaying at the gym
OutdoorGearLab's best bang-for-the-buck harness: very comfortable, especially for belaying, with well-arranged gear loops.
Heads up. The waist belt tends to ride up when hanging
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best bang for the buck climbing harness.
$50-100
View at REIStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
mid pick · Sport
Best for sport and lead climbing
OutdoorGearLab's best harness for sport climbing: excellent comfort for climbing or belaying, and great value.
Heads up. Not very versatile outside sport climbing
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best harness for sport climbing.
$100+
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splurge pick · All-around
Best for a harness for gym, crag and beyond
OutdoorGearLab's best all-around harness: versatile for every style of climbing, light, with great mobility.
Heads up. Not the most comfortable for hanging, and expensive
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best all-around climbing harness.
$100+
View at REIStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
budget pick · Tube style
Best for learning to belay
OutdoorGearLab's best bang-for-the-buck belay device: the simplest technique to learn, durable and a great value.
Heads up. Not as light as other options
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best bang for the buck belay device.
$50-100
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mid pick · Assisted braking
Best for experienced belayers
OutdoorGearLab's best overall belay device for experienced climbers: smooth rope handling with assisted braking.
Heads up. A bit heavy
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best belay device for experienced climbers.
$100+
View at REIStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
splurge pick · Assisted braking
Best for new climbers who want extra safety
OutdoorGearLab's best belay device for new climbers: an anti-panic handle stops drops while lowering, with top-rope and lead modes.
Heads up. Expensive
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best belay device for new climbers.
$100+
View at REIStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
Just shoes and chalk if you boulder. For rope climbing, add a harness and belay device, though most gyms rent them while you learn.
Snug but not painful. For a beginner shoe like the Finale, OutdoorGearLab suggests going down about half to one US size for comfort, since they stretch.
An ATC is cheaper and teaches the basic technique. A GriGri adds assisted braking, and the GriGri+ adds an anti-panic handle, which OutdoorGearLab calls the best pick for new climbers.