IGX

The new gym I go to has a pretty slick indoor climbing wall. You've got to have your own gear and get certified. The REI near my house has regular classes, I think, and I've done some climbing in the past, but don't have my own gear.

Any of the past or current climbers know where to get good enough climbing gear for solid prices?

Clymb.com has some stuff, but it's limited in terms of sizing for some stuff.

I bought mine from a mate whose climbing partner fell of hellvellyn and died. He lost his appetite for the mountains after that. So that's my recommendation - look in the obituaries and then dive in.

odin wrote:I bought mine from a mate whose climbing partner fell of hellvellyn and died. He lost his appetite for the mountains after that. So that's my recommendation - look in the obituaries and then dive in.

Not sure the obituaries would work. I mean, if someone died climbing, they probably took their gear with them. Or their equipment failed, right?

I do suppose the discount would be pretty large though...

You buy it from the friend Baffled!

Bobby wrote:You buy it from the friend Baffled!

He's a real sick bastard wanting to get it off the guy that fell.

Terry B. wrote:

Bobby wrote:You buy it from the friend Baffled!

He's a real sick bastard wanting to get it off the guy that fell.

HH said that's the best way to save money.

You would be buying a harness, belay device, chalk bag and shoes to climb in a gym.
Shop clearance or low end stuff, its all safe enough.
If you are really desperate, buy used shoes (PIA Sports, REI garage sale)
Would not buy a used harness or belay device

Google is your friend here. Climbing gear is available many places. First - figure out sizes - all climbing gear is NOT alike as to fit - especially shoes. I've been climbing 30 years now and run a climbing gym in our local recreation center - here's what I tell people.

First of all all modern equipment is safe and has been tested and certified before coming to market.

Harness - don't buy a harness without hanging in it - harnesses should NOT come up around your chest when you hang - but some will - that doesn't make them a bad harness, just bad for you. Buy something comfortable and suited for the purpose you plan to use it for. Gym climbing is different than an all day multi purpose outdoors for example. You can probably try on other people harnesses at the gym you visit and then shop prices over the internet.

Shoes - the object with climbing shoes is to find a suitable model that fits your foot size and shape. Shoes are specialized as to purpose - and the way you want to fit them depends a lot on that purpose. Avoid the temptation with your first pair of shoes to buy a pair of super tight shoes like the young hot shot gym climbers are wearing. If you intend to climb outdoors at all buy a pair of all purpose shoes with a snug but not painfully so fit. Different companies shoes use quite different lasts and fit very differently - I would not recommend buying mail order until you know how the various ones fit your foot - nothing is more miserable than ill fitting climbing shoes.

Chalk bag - pretty much they are just what they are except for size - if you have big hands - buy a bag big enough you can get your hand in and out of it easily without having to mess around. Don't forget to buy some chalk with it.

Pearabiner . Pearabiner refers to the shape of the locking carabiner most generally used to belay and rappel - it fastens your harness to the belay plate. When buying carabiners - hold different ones in your hand and open and close them several times one handed - some of them will feel good in your hand and be easy to open and close and work the locking mechanism - and some won't. The trend today seems to be smaller sized and for me at least they are harder to work with than a more standard size.

Belay plate - these come in all kind of designs - I like something fairly basic and prefer the ones with a V notch shape with "teeth" - they are more versatile if you climb with different sized ropes from large to small. Don't buy something like a Gri Gri for your first belay plate. You want a plate with a double slot that will allow you to rapell and use double rope technique - this is pretty much what all the plates will look like but there are some single rope devices out there.

REI usually has really well trained employees who can fit you and advise you well. I would start there even if you plan to shop prices and order online. Fit is king with this stuff.

REI has plenty good stuff. I'd shop there.

Rent climbing shoes for a while before buying. Shoes are critical, so either take your time and get the purchase right, or don't worry about what you buy since you know it will not be the best choice and you'll be buying another pair soon enough. I have 5 pair sitting around my house.

Regarding the harness, I've always climbed in a Black Diamond Alpine Bod, even though I have a couple of others from Yates that are high end. It is a diaper style, which makes it easy to put on and easily adjustable for wearing shorts to winter pants. REI has them for $39.95.

http://www.rei.com/product/699550/black ... ng-harness

After that, I'd get for my main biner a nice, big, sturdy quick locking one vice a screw gate. You want one big enough to go around the harness proper, and not just the belay loop. At least I do.

For the belay device, an ATC is plenty good enough and not too expensive. Also, learn to use a munter hitch and you'll never be without a belay device, and it complements the belay device in terms of how you position the rope for braking.

Have you tried looking for affordable climbing gear online or in stores?

Sounds like you should go with 511. Let him outfit you right. Pay what it takes. It's your life and the safety of your body parts. Otherwise, find the cheapest shit you can find and die like a hero.

Thanks guys. I'll check around and see what I can find.

Especially to nafod and Climber.

Andy's advice is solid as well. Go big or go home/dead.

That's what it comes down to?

You'll "check around" to "see what you can find"?

Jesus H. Christ!

Spend some of the sweet butt money your queer-o-sexual sugar daddy is giving you on some quality gear. He'd hate for his favorite pinoy to take a nasty spill and not be able to give up the booty hole or loose that wicked kung fu grip that makes you king of the rusty trombone.

nafod wrote:REI has plenty good stuff. I'd shop there.

Do the yard sale for everything but the harness.

nafod wrote:Regarding the harness, I've always climbed in a Black Diamond Alpine Bod, even though I have a couple of others from Yates that are high end. It is a diaper style, which makes it easy to put on and easily adjustable for wearing shorts to winter pants. REI has them for $39.95.

I have a pile of spent BODs in the basement, and been using the Alping BOD for years too.
It's an uncomfortable minimalist harness. This would be a nice upgrade:

http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/mountai ... s-0/adjama

Seriously a swammi with leg loops is more comfortable than the alpine bod...but yea not as step in.

Ed Zachary wrote:Spend some of the sweet butt money your queer-o-sexual sugar daddy is giving you on some quality gear. He'd hate for his favorite pinoy to take a nasty spill and not be able to give up the booty hole or loose that wicked kung fu grip that makes you king of the rusty trombone.

I'm not sending you another cock pic til you take back that pinoy comment.

I've been doing some incredible styling work, too.

baffled wrote:
I'm not sending you another cock pic til you take back that pinoy comment.

I've been doing some incredible styling work, too.

LOL

I was hoping you didn't miss that.

Anon wrote:I have a pile of spent BODs in the basement, and been using the Alping BOD for years too.
It's an uncomfortable minimalist harness.

Yea, I actually lied a bit there. My first Bod harness was an Alpine Bod which didn't even have gear loops back in the day. The second one I bought is the Bod with the padded waist bands and wider leg loops. Much more comfortable. My belay slave gets the Alpine Bod.

Great incentive to get them to buy their own harness lol