Buying guide
First Gym Kit
Updated How we research
Walking into a climbing gym for the first time is exciting, but rental gear gets old fast. This kit covers the essentials worth owning early: comfortable beginner shoes, a supportive harness, an assisted braking belay device your instructor will approve of, and chalk to keep your hands dry. Add a gym lead rope once you start climbing on the sharp end. The page is split into six sections (Beginner Climbing Shoes; Climbing Harnesses; Assisted Braking Belay Devices; Chalk Bags; Climbing Chalk; Gym Climbing Ropes), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 24 picks. Our scores range from 6.2 to 9.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:PETZL GRIGRI 3 Climbing Belay Device - Gray. Highest overall score in this guide at 9.2/10.
- Also great value:Petzl Corax Climbing Kit with GriGri Belay Device and Sm'D Carabiner. Value score of 9/10, overall 9.0/10.
- Solid build:PETZL GRIGRI + Assisted Braking Belay Device. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Feature-rich:Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device with Assisted Braking. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Beginner Climbing Shoes
- La Sportiva Tarantula Unisex-Adult Climbing ShoesOur score8.3/10
- SCARPA Men's Reflex VS Beginner Rock Climbing Shoes for Gym and Sport ClimbingOur score8.1/10
- La Sportiva Mens Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoe, Olive/Tiger, 10.5Our score8.1/10
- La Sportiva Men's Finale Rock Climbing ShoesOur score7.8/10
Climbing Harnesses
- Petzl Corax Climbing Kit with GriGri Belay Device and Sm'D CarabinerOur score9.0/10
- Petzl Corax Climbing HarnessOur score8.5/10
- Petzl Corax Climbing Harness - Men'sOur score8.5/10
- Petzl Corax LT Men's Climbing HarnessOur score8.4/10
Assisted Braking Belay Devices
- PETZL GRIGRI 3 Climbing Belay Device - GrayOur score9.2/10
- PETZL GRIGRI + Assisted Braking Belay DeviceOur score8.8/10
- Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device with Assisted BrakingOur score8.6/10
- EDELRID Jul 2 Belay DeviceOur score8.0/10
Chalk Bags
- Rock Climbing Chalk Bag with Belt and Zipper Pocket, Drawstring Magnesia SackOur score6.8/10
- Rhino Valley Climbing Chalk Bag with Adjustable Belt and Carabiner Clip, BlackOur score6.8/10
- YY Vertical Bear Rock Climbing Chalk Bag for Adults and KidsOur score6.5/10
- Chalk Bag for Rock Climbing with Bottle Clip and Drawstring ClosureOur score6.2/10
Climbing Chalk
- Friction Labs Gorilla Grip Climbing Chalk, Chunky Texture, 2.5 ozOur score8.4/10
- Primo Chalk 1 lb Resealable Bucket Loose Chalk for Climbing and WeightliftingOur score8.0/10
- ONCRUX Gym Chalk Blocks 8x2oz for Rock Climbing and WeightliftingOur score8.0/10
- Climb Club Premium Climbing Chalk Blocks 100% Magnesium Carbonate 2ozOur score7.6/10
Gym Climbing Ropes
- Sterling Slim Gym Climbing Rope - Blue 30MOur score8.6/10
- EDELRID Boa Gym 9.8mm Dynamic Climbing Rope - Oasis 40mOur score8.6/10
- Petzl Contact Wall 9.8mm Dynamic Climbing RopeOur score8.3/10
- Black Diamond 9.9-35m Climbing Rope, Dual Blue, 35 MOur score8.3/10
All 24 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1The Petzl GRIGRI 3 in gray, the latest version of the benchmark assisted braking belay device for gym and sport.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Assisted braking adds a margin of safety when catching falls
- + Latest GRIGRI refines rope feeding and lowering control
- + Standard device in gyms, so help and instruction are easy to find
- - Heavier and pricier than simple tube belay devices
- - Single rope only, so it is not suited to double rope rappels
#2Petzl's Corax climbing kit bundles the Corax harness, a GriGri belay device and a Sm'D carabiner for new climbers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Harness, GriGri and Sm'D locker cover the core personal kit in one box
- + GriGri assisted braking adds a margin of safety for newer belayers
- + Buying the set saves shopping for compatible pieces separately
- - Does not include shoes, chalk or a rope for outdoor climbing
- - Climbers who prefer tube devices pay for a GriGri they may not use
#3Petzl's GRIGRI +, an assisted braking belay device with extra features aimed at gyms and newer belayers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Anti-panic lowering helps prevent dropping a climber too fast
- + Top rope and lead modes suit gym settings with mixed users
- + Stainless wear plate is built for heavy use by many belayers
- - Heavier than the standard GRIGRI for outdoor sport climbers
- - Anti-panic feature can frustrate experienced belayers when lowering
#4The Petzl GRIGRI with assisted braking, the classic cam device favored for sport projecting and gym lead belaying.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cam locks the rope during a fall, reducing fatigue on long sessions
- + Makes hang-dogging and working routes much easier on the belayer
- + Widely taught design makes partners confident on belay
- - Feeding slack quickly for clips requires practiced technique
- - Needs extra care to avoid misloading the rope backward
#5Sterling's Slim Gym rope in blue at 30M, a gym-specific rope built to withstand heavy indoor top-rope use.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gym-specific design resists wear from constant lowering
- + 30M length fits most indoor walls and top-rope setups
- + Blue color keeps gym ropes easy to identify
- - Too short for outdoor sport routes
- - Gym build is heavier than a performance outdoor rope
#6EDELRID's Boa Gym 9.8mm dynamic rope in Oasis at 40m, a gym-tuned version of the Boa for indoor lead.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gym version is designed for frequent falls and abrasion indoors
- + 40m length suits indoor lead walls
- + Oasis color stands out on busy gym floors
- - Too short for many outdoor climbing routes
- - Gym specific build is heavier than outdoor sport ropes
#7The Petzl Corax, an adjustable all-round climbing harness that suits gym, sport and trad climbers of many builds.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Adjustable leg loops fit over bulky layers or bare legs equally well
- + Versatile design handles gym sessions and outdoor multi-pitch days
- + One of the most popular harnesses, so it is well understood and trusted
- - Heavier and bulkier than stripped-down sport harnesses
- - Listing does not state size or gender, so confirm fit before ordering
#8The men's Petzl Corax, a proven do-everything harness with adjustable buckles for gym, crag and mountain days.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Adjustable waist and legs handle changing layers across seasons
- + Unisex sizing by waist and leg loop measurements covers Size 1 and Size 2
- + Durable Petzl build lasts through years of regular use
- - Extra buckles add weight compared with fixed-leg sport harnesses
- - Classic model may lack the latest gear loop layouts
#9The men's Petzl Corax LT, a lighter take on the Corax that keeps adjustability while trimming weight and bulk.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Lighter build than the standard Corax for climbers who count grams
- + Same closed-cell foam padding as the standard Corax for comfort
- + Slimmer profile packs down smaller for travel and alpine trips
- - Less padding than the full Corax on long hanging belays
- - Men's fit may not suit climbers with curvier hips
#10Friction Labs Gorilla Grip chalk in chunky texture at 2.5 oz, a premium chalk that makes a great climbing gift.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Chunky texture gives a thick coating for sweaty hands
- + 2.5 oz pouch is a nice gift size for climbers
- + Friction Labs is a premium chalk brand loved by many climbers
- - Premium pricing is higher than basic gym chalk
- - Chunky texture may feel too coarse for some climbers
#11The La Sportiva Tarantula is a unisex strap-closure beginner shoe, a long-running pick for gym climbers learning the basics.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Unisex sizing opens up more options for a range of foot shapes
- + Hook-and-loop straps make it easy to take shoes on and off between climbs
- + Flat, all-day comfort profile works well for top rope and easy leads
- - Not as precise on tiny edges as a downturned performance shoe
- - Upper can stretch with wear, so avoid sizing up too generously
#12Petzl's Contact Wall 9.8mm dynamic rope, a durable indoor rope built to handle intensive gym use.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wall-specific design is aimed at repetitive gym falls and lowers
- + 9.8mm diameter handles well in GRIGRIs and tube devices
- + Petzl quality for gyms or personal indoor ropes
- - Confirm the length matches your gym wall height before ordering
- - Indoor focus means it is not ideal as an outdoor rope
#13Black Diamond's 9.9-35m rope in Dual Blue at 35 M, a short gym rope for indoor lead and top-rope sessions.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 35 M length is ideal for indoor gym walls
- + 9.9 diameter handles heavy gym use and lowering
- + Dual Blue pattern helps identify the middle mark
- - Far too short for most outdoor routes
- - Thicker than skinny ropes, so it feels heavy for performance lead
#14SCARPA's Reflex VS is a men's beginner climbing shoe with a hook-and-loop closure, aimed at gym sessions and easy sport routes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Flat, relaxed last keeps toes comfortable through long first sessions at the gym
- + Velcro closure makes it quick to slip shoes off between routes and boulders
- + SCARPA build quality gives a newer climber a shoe that lasts past the first season
- - Flat profile loses edge precision once you move onto steep overhanging problems
- - Men's last may feel roomy in the heel for climbers with narrow feet
#15La Sportiva's Tarantulace is a lace-up, all-leather shoe that the listing pitches as a single pair for all-day outdoor climbing or trips to the gym. A rounded forefoot and higher volume make it a forgiving first shoe.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Quick-pull lacing adjusts the fit along the whole foot, which helps beginners find a snug fit without overtightening.
- + All-leather upper with a padded, cotton-lined tongue is described as breathable and able to stretch to the foot's shape.
- + FriXion RS rubber is described as grippy yet hard wearing, a sensible mix for the wear early footwork puts on a sole.
- - This listing is for one size and color, US 10.5 in Olive/Tiger, so other sizes have to be picked on the Amazon page.
- - The listing says the shoe runs big and to size down one full size from street shoes, which complicates ordering online.
#16EDELRID's Jul 2, an assisted braking tube-style device that combines tube-like feel with extra catching support.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Tube-like feel makes it easy for tube device users to switch
- + Assisted braking helps hold falls with less grip strength
- + Lighter than cam devices like the GRIGRI
- - Needs a specific carabiner setup to work as intended
- - Lowering technique differs from both tube devices and GRIGRIs
#17Primo Chalk's 1 lb resealable bucket of loose chalk for climbing and weightlifting, a bulk supply for regular users.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 1 lb bucket keeps a steady supply for regular gym sessions
- + Resealable lid limits spills and humidity between refills
- + Loose chalk pours straight into bags or buckets
- - Bulk tub is awkward to carry to outdoor crags
- - Loose chalk is messy when refilling in a crowded gym
#18ONCRUX gym chalk blocks in an 8x2oz pack for climbing and weightlifting, a multi-block bulk buy.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 8x2oz pack spreads chalk into manageable portions
- + Blocks store neatly and crush on demand for fresh texture
- + Good value for climbers who train several times a week
- - Crushing blocks creates dust in the car or at home
- - Blocks may be harder than loose chalk, so crush thoroughly
#19La Sportiva's men's Finale is a lace-up all-rounder that bridges beginner comfort and a bit more precision for progressing climbers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Slightly more technical fit than entry shoes, so it grows with your skills
- + Lace closure delivers a snug, customizable fit for crack and face climbs
- + Versatile enough to take from gym plastic to outdoor slab and vertical rock
- - Laces slow down quick shoe removal between short gym boulders
- - Narrower men's last may pinch wider feet during long sessions
#20Climb Club's premium chalk blocks in 100% magnesium carbonate at 2oz, a simple block chalk for crushing into a bag.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 100% magnesium carbonate means no added drying agents or fillers
- + Block form lets you crush chalk to the texture you prefer
- + 2oz block is easy to toss in a gym bag for a few sessions
- - Blocks need crushing before use, which adds mess
- - 2oz runs out fast for climbers who chalk up constantly
#21A rock climbing chalk bag with a belt and zipper pocket plus drawstring, a practical budget magnesia sack.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Zipper pocket holds keys or snacks during climbing
- + Belt allows wearing it around the waist while climbing
- + Drawstring closure keeps chalk contained
- - Check the zipper and seams hold up after regular gym use
- - No brush holder mentioned for cleaning holds
#22Rhino Valley's black chalk bag with an adjustable belt and carabiner clip, a straightforward gym and crag bag.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Adjustable belt fits a range of waist sizes
- + Carabiner clip lets you attach it to a harness quickly
- + Black color hides chalk stains well
- - Title lacks details on brush holder or pocket
- - Budget brand may use thinner fabric
#23YY Vertical's Bear chalk bag for adults and kids, a fun animal-themed chalk bag for gym climbers.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Bear design adds personality for kids and adults
- + YY Vertical is a known climbing accessory brand
- + Suitable for gym sessions and casual outdoor use
- - Novelty shape may be less practical for fast chalking
- - No belt loop or brush holder, so plan separate storage for your brush
#24A generic rock climbing chalk bag with a bottle clip and drawstring closure, a simple bag for gym sessions.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bottle clip lets you carry water on the bag
- + Drawstring closure keeps chalk from spilling
- + Basic design is easy for beginners to use
- - Check stitching and seams hold up after the first few climbing trips
- - Bottle clip adds weight and bulk while climbing
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Climbing Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.