Equipment


Indoor climbing requires a few items of specialist equipment.

If you have booked on to one of our courses we provide all specialist equipment, just wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement. Skirts, dresses and kilts are not a good idea.

Hire equipment.
You can hire harness, climbing shoes and belay devices. We also have free helmet hire if you want to wear one.

Looking to buy your own?
Our staff are always happy guide you in choosing the right harness, shoes, ropes and belay devices. These items are also available in our on site shop. But if you follow the basic advice given below you won’t go wrong.

Never, ever buy second hand harness, ropes etc. You just don’t want to be putting your trust in something you don’t know the history of. Shoes are ok.

Harnesses
No harness is truly comfortable, but if you think about it you don’t spend that much time hanging in them. So other factors should be considered first.
1.    Fit; does the waist belt fit above your hips? You shouldn’t be able to slide it down over your hips.
2.    The buckles are not at their maximum or minimum setting when wearing your normal climbing attire?
3.    The leg loops fit snugly around the top of your thighs? Again without them being set to their biggest or smallest size.
4.    When wearing the harness your freedom to move is not restricted. Try squatting down, doing the splits and high leg rises.

For more advice speak to our staff.

Shoes for beginners
This is a tricky one, there are many different opinions as to what makes a good shoe. Here’s my 10 pence worth…

  • Don’t go buying the most expensive shoes that you can find, in the belief that they will make you climb better/harder.
  • Climbing shoes need to be tight fitting. Your piggies should be slightly curled with little or no room for movement.
  • The shoe should hold your entire foot in place, with no bagginess in the heal area.
  • Buy something that you can wear and tolerate initially for some time. All shoes will stretch a bit.
  • Velcro, laces or slip-ons? Unless you feel that one is giving a better fit than the other, how the shoe is secured to your foot isn’t an issue as a beginner.
  • Best piece of advice is to take some time and try as many makes, models and sizes as you can.

Shoes for Experienced climbers.
Now things get even more complex and individual preferences become more important. There isn’t enough space here to do the subject justice.
Again try as many makes, sizes and models as you can.

Ropes.
For indoor use they should be…
1.    Long enough! A 30 meter rope will be ample at the Glasgow Climbing Centre and most other indoor climbing walls
2.    Thickness or diameter. Any  ‘single rope' will be fine. A 'single rope' is one marked with a ‘1’ on either end. But the thicker ropes (10 to 11mm) will last longer.  This will mean that the rope is also ‘dynamic’ or stretchy and will act as a shock absorber when you fall.
3.    Make sure you have the right belay device for your rope. There are a lot of skinny ropes available that need specialist belay devices

Again there are a number of other factors when choosing a rope, from handling characteristics to impact forces and number of falls. Ask our staff for more details

A word of caution
Please take care of your equipment and use it wisely. Regularly check it for signs of wear or damage. If you are unsure about the condition of your equipment then its best to replace it.

Belay Devices
There are many, many, many belay devices on the market. Each proclaiming to offer the climber the ideal combination of stopping power, slickness, control, durability, weight, and a number of other features more suited to guiding and big mountain routes.

There are two basic types of belay device, those that have some form of ‘self locking’ and those that do not. Both have strengths and weakness, just remember that if you use either incorrectly they will not work! Read all the instructions that come with your equipment, ask for advice from our staff and practice.

Lastly check, and then double check that your set up is right before your or you partner leave the ground.