Climbing Gear for Beginners: What Do I Need?
In short: For roped climbing in a gym you need climbing shoes, a harness, a belay device with a locking carabiner, and some chalk. Many gyms already have ropes hanging in their top-rope routes, and almost all of them rent gear. Our recommendation: take a beginner course first, rent while you learn, then buy deliberately, starting with shoes.
Do you even need your own gear at the start?
No. Almost every climbing gym rents out shoes, harnesses and belay devices, and beginner courses usually include the gear. That has two advantages: you learn to belay with the device used in the course, and you find out whether you enjoy climbing before you spend money.
Your own gear makes sense once you go regularly. You save the rental fee, your shoes fit your feet, and you know your equipment's history. You can find a gym near you in our overview of all climbing gyms. If you're not sure yet whether you prefer roped climbing or bouldering, read our comparison climbing gym vs. bouldering gym. For bouldering you need neither a harness nor a belay device.
The basic kit at a glance
| Item | What for? | Standard | Example in this article | Price (approx., October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing shoes | Grip on small footholds | no PPE standard | La Sportiva Tarantula (Velcro, suede) | around €76–95 |
| Harness | Connects you to rope and belay | EN 12277 | Petzl Corax (adjustable leg loops) | from approx. €65 |
| Belay device | Belaying your partner | EN 15151 | Edelrid Jul² (single ropes 8.9–11 mm) | around €36–40 |
| Locking carabiner (HMS) | Attaches the device to your harness | – | matched to the device | depends on model |
| Chalk and chalk bag | Dry hands | – | – | low |
Prices come from current retailer listings and vary by size, colour and sales.
Selection criteria: what matters?
Climbing shoes: fit before features
Beginner shoes have a flat shape, a fairly thick sole and a Velcro closure. That is easier on your feet while your footwork is still imprecise. The shoe should fit snugly without hurting. Your toes may touch the front but shouldn't be strongly curled. Always try several sizes, ideally in the afternoon when your feet are slightly swollen.
A typical beginner shoe is the La Sportiva Tarantula: according to the manufacturer an all-round model for beginners and the gym, with a suede upper, Velcro closure and a 4 mm FriXion Black sole. One example offer: the Tarantula at Bergfreunde. We compare more models in The best climbing shoes for beginners, and the shoe finder helps you narrow it down.
Harness: fit and adjustability
Check three things: the EN 12277 standard on the label, adjustable leg loops, and a size where the buckles still have room in both directions. Adjustable leg loops help if you sometimes climb in thin gym trousers and sometimes in thick outdoor pants.
The Petzl Corax ticks these boxes: according to Petzl it has two DOUBLEBACK buckles on the waistbelt, adjustable leg loops and four gear loops, and it is certified to EN 12277 type C. Size 1 weighs 470 g, size 2 520 g. One example offer: the Petzl Corax at Bergfreunde. How to find the right size is covered in Buying a climbing harness: what to look for.
Belay device: ideally the one from your course
The belay device is the most safety-critical item in your kit. Ideally buy the device you learned with in your course, or ask the gym staff for advice. Assisted-braking devices, often called "semi-automatic", hold a fall more easily than a classic tube. They don't replace good technique, though: your brake hand always stays on the rope.
The Edelrid Jul² is, according to the manufacturer, a belay device with high braking performance for single ropes from 8.9 to 11 mm, certified to EN 15151-2. You'll need a locking carabiner with it. One example offer: the Edelrid Jul² at Bergfreunde. We explain the differences between tubes, assisted-braking and auto-locking devices in Belay devices for beginners.
Chalk: powder or liquid
Chalk (magnesium carbonate) keeps your hands dry. Some gyms have rules about it because loose powder creates dust, so ask first. A simple chalk bag with a waist belt is all you need.
Which standards matter?
Harnesses, ropes and belay devices are personal protective equipment (PPE) and need a CE marking to the relevant standard:
- Harness: EN 12277
- Dynamic climbing rope: EN 892
- Belay device: EN 15151 (part 1 for devices with manually assisted locking, part 2 for manual braking devices)
- Climbing helmet: EN 12492
Many products also carry the UIAA safety label. The UIAA rope standard, for example, is the basis of EN 892, as DIN explains in its description of DIN EN 892. Buy safety gear new: with used items you know neither their age nor their history.
What comes later?
- Rope: Many gyms provide ropes for top-roping, but for lead climbing you often bring your own. This varies from gym to gym.
- Quickdraws: In the gym they're usually fixed in place. You only need your own once you lead climb on rock.
- Helmet: Strongly recommended on rock, because rockfall and hitting the wall are real risks. It isn't common in the gym.
How do you learn to climb safely?
Take a beginner course at a gym or with a DAV section. The German Alpine Club offers the Kletterschein Toprope, a certificate covering tying in, the partner check, belaying and lowering. The DAV is explicit that it isn't a "licence", but it shows you learned the basics in a course. Some gyms ask for proof like this before you belay unsupervised.
FAQ
How much does basic climbing gear cost?
The shoes, harness and belay device in this article currently cost from about €175 together (as of October 2026). Add a locking carabiner and chalk. At the start you can rent everything and buy only once you climb regularly.
What should I buy first?
Climbing shoes first, because rental shoes rarely fit well. Buy a harness and belay device afterwards, ideally the device you belayed with in your course.
Can I buy climbing gear second-hand?
Shoes, yes. Harnesses, ropes, belay devices and carabiners should be bought new, because you don't know the age, storage or fall history of used items.
Which standards does climbing gear have to meet?
Harnesses are certified to EN 12277, climbing ropes to EN 892, belay devices to EN 15151 and climbing helmets to EN 12492. The standard is printed on the product or its label.
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