Bouldering packing list for indoor bouldering

You don’t need much equipment for bouldering. With the right clothing, suitable climbing shoes and a chalk bag, you’ll be fine. Check out the following tips before you go bouldering:

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Clothing for bouldering

My mantra when it comes to choosing climbing and bouldering clothing: it’s got to be comfortable. Pay particular attention to trousers and make sure they don’t swallow up your climbing shoes. I like to have a clear view of the tips of my shoes when I step onto small footholds. Otherwise I struggle to position my feet precisely. A heel hook is another option to stop your trousers from slipping over your heels. I really need the friction of the climbing shoe to provide support.

That’s why I like trousers with a hem or an elastic element at the ankle in particular. Long trousers help protect against scratches. And I can pull my elasticated trousers up to the backs of my knees in hot weather.

Bouldering shoes

For indoor bouldering, I like to use softer climbing shoes than I would normally wear for outdoor climbing. Indoors you have easy routes on very steep walls that you’re unlikely to find outdoors. I like being able to ‘tighten’ small footholds with soft climbing shoes and get a good feel for them. I also get more friction on a sloping volume than with a hard climbing shoe.

Newbie at the bouldering hall? My tip: choose shoes suitable for beginners. These are usually not too soft and they give your foot some grip. And they protect your toes from having to support your entire body weight. But regardless of your level, make sure you try the shoes on before buying them. For training on wooden walls, I personally love the Furia Air. These could almost be described as ‘climbing socks’ rather than climbing shoes.

Make sure you try on the shoes first before you make a purchase and talk to our assistants in-store.

Magnesium and chalk bags

I could talk shop about magnesium all day long. But there’s no right or wrong answer here. You just need to see for yourself. Because it’s basically a matter of taste whether you opt for coarse-grained, finely ground, liquid or block, premium or budget.

My tip: ask at your bouldering hall if there are certain types of magnesium they don’t like.

I like to use a chalk bag with a large opening for bouldering. Ideally, it should be stable on soft mats and also have enough space for tape, nail clippers, a brush or a stopwatch for training.

Warming up and training

Rubber balls and rubber rings help you warm up and get your fingers moving before you start climbing. Knead, rub and stretch your fingers thoroughly.

To build up finger strength, the best thing you can do is regular bouldering. However, you can look at using specific training equipment if after one or two years you’ve reached your limit. This might not be suitable for fresh beginners due to the risk of injury. Many bouldering halls offer introductory courses for the training area, which I’d recommend.

Little helpers

Boulder brushes

At some bouldering halls, you might get a strange look if you clean a hold using your cool wooden brush with natural bristles. While in other places, you’ll get a weird look if you don’t. Holds and footholds tend to get a bit greasy over time. Rubber, magnesium and skin particles become embedded in the coating of the hold. You can quickly restore grip to the hold with your brush. Large brushes are available for cleaning slopers and smaller brushes for tiny footholds. Your fellow climbers will thank you for your service.

Tape

We’ve all seen them – the Michael Jacksons of the bouldering hall. Tape adorning every finger in the hope it will help them achieve something magical.

In my experience, climbers often use tape incorrectly. You’re better off giving your fingers some time to get used to the strain. Yes, you might get blisters and yes, your fingers might be tender after a tough bouldering session. But you really need to listen to your body and give it the breaks it needs to recover. I’ve been climbing for over 23 years now and in that time I have probably used less than 10 metres of tape.