What to Pack in Your Climbing Gym Bag
New to climbing and not sure what to pack in your climbing gym bag? While not everybody will pack the same indoor climbing gear for their gym sessions, there are a few staples you shouldn’t leave home without.
Before diving into the essentials, have you sacrificed, ahem, dedicated, a bag to hold your stinky climbing shoes yet? Once you’ve donated your bag to become your go-to indoor climbing gear hauler, discover what to put in it!
The Essentials: Gear You Absolutely Need
Climbing shoes – Simply put, you need them. You can get by with rentals for a while, but you’ll never turn back after you get your first pair. Consider keeping some of those odor/moisture killers in your shoes in your bag. Climbing shoes can really stink up the place. Make sure to dry your shoes out after each session before storing them away.
Chalk and chalk bag – Unless you’re one of those people who don’t need it (more power to you). Yes, chalk will get everywhere, and it will become part of your personality now.
If you’re a boulderer, this is all the indoor climbing gear you need! If getting really high and using ropes is your thing, be sure to pack the following:
Harness – You can rent a gym harness if you forget yours!
Belay device and carabiner – While a non-negotiable, you can get bailed out if your partner remembers theirs. That is, if your gym doesn’t supply them.
Climbing rope – (See belay device and carabiner)
Personal Care Items You’ll Be Glad You Brought
Climbing tape – Save your skin and your session. Unexpected flappers can be session-enders. While you should probably call it when this happens, who's to stop you from taping it up and getting back on the wall?
Nail clippers – Some pro climbers have been known to keep their nails longer than usual for climbing. But if you’re like many others, long fingernails hurt your ears when scraping down the wall.
Finger file or sandpaper – This is an excellent option for smoothing calluses and avoiding flappers. Plus, it’s something small that doesn’t take up much space in your bag.
Reusable water bottle – Self-explanatory. Hydrate or dydrate.
Snacks or recovery fuel – It’s not a bad idea to have a bar or two stored in your bag. You can’t keep buying cookies from the retail shop… or can you?
Extras That Elevate Your Session
Brush – Most gyms will have long brushes to use in the bouldering area. But what if you need to brush a hold on the top of a rope route? Carrying your own brush in your chalk bag is excellent for this scenario.
Resistance bands – Warm up those fingers and shoulders. This is if your gym doesn’t have any to use. If so, no need to take up precious space in your bag with these.
Notebook or climbing app – Among those who enjoy tracking their progress, most people use their phone to record progress, while others prefer to have it written down. Which one are you?
Headphones – For those solo sessions when you don’t want to share beta.
Hand sanitizer – Gym holds are a germ party.
Packing Tips
Before dedicating any bag to store your indoor climbing gear, ensure it meets the necessary standards. Select a bag with multiple compartments and options to keep your gear organized and easily accessible. If necessary, keep a checklist to ensure you don’t forget your shoes.
Keep a mini first-aid kit in your bag. It doesn’t hurt to have a Band-Aid on deck if you need it. Sure, the gym will have a first aid kit, but it’s much easier to pull out of your own gear to take care of a small cut.
Store your bag properly. Air out your climbing equipment, your sweaty shoes, and your harness before storing them away. This will help prevent mildew and unpleasant odors at home. Consider keeping some moisture-trapping devices in your gym bag to help keep the funk down.
While this is a general list of items to keep in your indoor climbing gear bag, tailor it to suit your needs. One non-negotiable that should be taken with the utmost level of attention: don’t forget your climbing shoes.
