Climbing - Clothes For Climbing

Images of climbing bring to mind ropes, pitons and other gear. But what the climber wears is also of vital importance - in the Latin sense of the word 'vital', meaning 'life'. In climbing, clothes aren't just a matter of style or comfort, they're protective gear as well.

Climbing clothes start from those closest to the skin. In such a strenuous activity, it's essential to have good wicking to move perspiration outward and keep a small amount of air flowing. The alternative is poor heat control and chafing. On the other hand, they have to provide thermal protection for cold climbs and allow for easy movement. Good baselayer pants or briefs and undershirts will do just that.

On the next layer, the theme of range of movement is continued. A shirt that constrains the shoulders unduly is not just an annoyance, it's a hazard. That's one reason vests are often preferred to jackets for the outermost layer. Cooling the arms is of minor importance except in extremely cold weather. But keeping wrists, elbows and shoulders free to do the work is critical.

Outer pants can take a number of forms.

Some climbers enjoy making their moves in shorts. On warmer, less technically tough climbs that's an option and there are many styles available. Some are little more than ordinary shorts you might wear around the house or at the beach.

But good climbing shorts will have the ability to stretch without clinging. They'll be super tough to stand up to the scrapes that are inevitable in scrambling over the huge chunks of rock, dirt and vegetation known as mountains.

Pants need to have those same attributes along with others. Knees have to be flexible and strong. Many pant styles need to be waterproof and for cold weather climbs should provide good insulation without adding undue weight. They need to be thick enough or made of material that will keep UV out. Getting a sunburn during a climb can result in lowered freedom of movement or worse.

Jackets of all types are an important item of climbing clothes. Everything from a light windbreaker, to keep off a chilling wind and damaging sun rays, to a heavy down are part of the standard gear. The air gets cold quickly on high climbs, especially as the sun goes below the top of the mountain. Cold temperatures can lead to restricted movement, poor judgement and possibly life-threatening hypothermia.

Helmets are another piece of clothing too often neglected by climbers. If you fall from a certain distance, no helmet will save you. But for smaller falls a good helmet can make the difference between minor injuries and death. Even in less extreme situations, it's common to have small rocks tumble down from climbers above you. A helmet can reduce the odds of a potentially serious injury to a comical story to tell back at base camp.

Consider carefully the terrain and the type of climb you plan to take and suit up appropriately.