Climbing rope: When a climber is exhausted, lacks endurance, or faces a difficult route that leads to a fall, the rope ensures safety. It is made from high-strength nylon woven in a special way, structurally consisting of a core and a sheath, and has considerable elasticity to absorb most of the impact force generated during a fall, thereby reducing injury to the climber. Single ropes (marked with ①) are the most commonly used type in climbing, typically 50 meters long per rope.
Rope care tips: Avoid friction with sharp rocks as much as possible (if unavoidable, place cloth padding on the rock to prevent rope abrasion); never step on the rope, as this can allow sand and grit to damage the rope’s core; after use, always coil the rope neatly; ropes come with dedicated rope bags for storage, helping keep them clean, preventing tangling, and making them easy to carry.
Harness: Wearing a harness allows for easier connection to the rope without tying it directly around the waist, offering greater comfort and safety (it distributes the impact of a fall across the hips and legs, not just the waist). Note: The waist belt must be worn above the pelvis.
Climbing shoes: A specially designed “small shoe” for climbing, covered with special (high-friction) rubber on all parts of the foot that may be in contact with the rock (toes, inner and outer sides of the sole, heel). These shoes are intentionally made slightly smaller and more curved to improve fit, enhance foot sensitivity to the rock surface. Remember: In sport climbing, climbing shoes are the only gear that actively helps you climb. Always buy climbing shoes a size smaller than your normal shoes—they should feel a bit tight. If you’re serious about climbing, a good pair of climbing shoes is essential.
Carabiner: Used to connect the rope to protection points, the harness to belay/rappel devices, or to carry gear. In short, climbing isn’t possible without carabiners. There are two main types: locking and non-locking. During belaying and rappelling, the carabiner must be locked—so always use a locking carabiner. The pear-shaped carabiner is one of the most commonly used types.
Belay/rappel devices: These devices create friction between the rope and the mechanism, slowing or stopping the rope’s movement to prevent a fallen climber from continuing to descend and allowing a descending climber to control their speed. Common types include the figure-eight, Grigri, ATC, and *nose.
Chalk bag: Contains magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) powder, primarily used to absorb hand sweat and increase finger friction. The chalk bag is hung at the back of the waist for easy access to both hands. Using a chalk bag has many benefits—for example, the act of chalking up on the wall can also serve as a moment of relaxation and rest.