Buyers Guide - How to choose Choose a Traditional Climbing RackExcited to be buying the first bits of lead gear to build your trad rack? So are we!
Our climbing gear walls have been described as some of the best in Europe (by our International Reps who know a thing or two) and as boulderers, sport climbers, trad climbers and mountaineers ourselves we LOVE to talk about gear. Both the Joe Brown shops, and The Climbers Shop have been supplying climbers and expeditions since 1966 and 1959 respectively, we were founded by climbers and the only thing we love more than talking about gear is actually going climbing ourselves. We don’t just learn about what’s the best kit to use – we know what’s the best kit to use……..
- What is the first piece of protection I should buy?- What length Quickdraws are best?- Why are there so many different lengths slings?- How do I choose which karabiners to add?- Can I lead if I don’t own any cams?- Do I really need to carry Prusik Loops?- How do I know when my gear has worn out?
Top tips to make the right choice:Go shopping with your mate and/or someone more experienced so you buy the right thing for the routes you climb and, more importantly, gear that compliments each other’s racks.
Tag your gear so that you know who’s is who. We sell purpose made tags or you could use your own personal design of insulation tape.
Buy a length of rope off the reel and practice your knots so they become second nature. Tying a clove hitch one handed without bending your fingers looks REALLY cool!
Regularly tie yourself to a stair banister so you can prefect your belaying skills and be super slick out on the crag. It saves time and means you can enjoy the route and make it back to the pub to revel in your success.
Join a club – it’s the cheapest way to learn and you’ll have an instant pool of climbing partners or hire an Instructor or Guide to learn loads of great tips and techniques.