What To Wear Indoor Rock Climbing – 11 Surprisingly Simple Tips + Answers

Indoor Rock Climbing is an amazing way to get a workout while pushing your limits. If it’s your first time you might not know some of the unwritten rules. Read our quick guide on what to wear indoor rock climbing and get the low down.

Wondering what to wear for bouldering? Outfit for an indoor climbing date? What to bring for your first time at a climbing gym? No worries, we have you covered.

First off – keep it simple. Climbing is a bit of a workout – so if you have gym clothes you’re probably ready to go. Nearly every climbing gym will rent shoes and we’d recommend using those instead of your own. Clothes for the climbing gym should be: –

• Comfy
• Not restrictive – Either loose or stretchy
• Ideally lightweight and breathable – You’re gonna sweat
• Bonus – Wear shorts or roll up three-quarter length pants so you can see your feet

What Tops To Wear Indoor Rock Climbing

Any t-shirt or gym top will be fine. Ideally, it won’t be too baggy so it doesn’t get in the way or trapped in belay devices. Long sleeves can be helpful to help stop scrapes and bangs but short sleeves or a tank top are more breathable.

Our ideal choice for guys would be a slim-fit, stretchy, breathable, moisture-wicking t-shirt. If not, a light blended fabric tee will be fine. For women the same or a loose tank top and a sports bra for more breathability.

What Pants To Wear Climbing Indoors

Shorts or yoga pants will be great for your first time. Shorts shouldn’t be too short, just above the knee is great for intense sessions. You’ll be banging your shins and scraping your knee up the wall a fair bit so consider something like capris or three-quarter-lengths that offer a little protection.

Top Tip: Being able to see your feet is really helpful for footwork. Climbing is more about pushing up with your feet than pulling with your arms.

If you’re enjoying climbing we’d suggest getting specific climbing pants. Pants made for climbing are generally a little baggy, have a gusseted (wider) crotch, can roll up, and are made of a breathable and resistant material. These are great for protecting your legs and will be especially handy when you go outside for the first time.

Can I Wear Jeans Rock Climbing?

Yes. You’ll probably see a few people wearing skinny jeans climbing or bouldering. You might wonder just how people do this without restricting their movement. The answer is lycra (sometimes known as elastane or spandex). There are a few purpose made climbing jeans that are built with extra stretch and a gusseted crotch. This allow for big splits movements while protecting your legs from gnarly climbing holds.

A few big brands offer stretchy denim – not just climbing ones. You can pick up stretchy jeans pretty cheap online or in most major retailers too. We’re big fans because you can wear one pair of jeans casually and for climbing, and get the protection and stretch needed. What to wear indoor rock climbing is based on what you feel comfortable in.

What To Wear Indoor Rock Climbing – Climbing Shoes

You can rent climbing shoes from most indoor climbing gyms. They have a sticky rubber on the sole that helps you grip the holds better. They’re also supposed to fit pretty tight and your toes may be curled up a little at the front. Try rentals our for your first few times to get used to the fit and the feel.

Having a pair of easy to slip on shoes available for going to the toilet is helpful. Don’t wear climbing shoes in to the toilet and then back on to the walls please! You might see people wearing crocs or slip ons while they are belaying someone that’s climbing. Climbing shoes can be very uncomfortable so taking them off between climbs can be a treat.

Ready For Your First Pair Of Climbing Shoes? Read our up to date guides
– Best Beginner Climbing Shoes
– Best Climbing Shoes
– What Climbing Shoes The Pros Wear

Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes?

If you are going to get rental shoes – we’d say yes. However, rental shoes have been worn and sweated in by a lot of people. For hygiene, we’d say wear thin ankle socks when renting climbing shoes.

When you get your own, you shouldn’t wear socks with climbing shoes. It helps you feel more and get your toes closer to the holds – though it will be a little more uncomfortable.

What To Bring Indoor Rock Climbing?

If you’ve booked an introduction, taster session, or a course, you won’t need to bring any gear apart from clothes. Harnesses, belay devices, chalk, and other climbing gear are usually provided. With these basics, you’re good to go.

Other things you might want to bring include: –

• Water Bottle – Don’t buy single-use plastic, get a nice re-usable bottle and slap a few stickers on so you know it’s yours
• Snacks – A protein bar or some mixed nuts or fruit for energy
• Slip-On Shoes – For using the bathroom or when belaying (not climbing). Crocs are surprisingly good for this

Indoor Climbing – What NOT To Wear

We’re not going to tell you what to do with your own body. However, be aware that when people look at you in a climbing gym they’ll either be doing it from directly above or directly below. Try not to let anything dangle out on those awkward moves.

Short shorts are wonderfully nonrestrictive but might not be ideal. When wearing a harness you’ll be sat back into the leg loops quite often. The shorts can bunch up under the loops and this can be uncomfortable with stiff hire harnesses. That being said – a good harness can be really comfy and worth the investment once you’re hooked.