Wondering what amazing gifts to get to your rock climber in your life?
Whether you know more than you ever wanted to about where they climb and what they love about it or have resolutely tuned out of excessive climbing fandom, we have a few gift suggestions for climbers of all stripes.
While all of the products on this list come in under $50, if you are looking for a big gift for a climber, reach out to your local rock gym pro shop or outdoor store for suggestions.
The staff at your local gym is always happy to help steer you to the best fit for every climber.
The Essentials: the little-stuff-never-goes-amiss gift
Chalk ball: roughly the size of a fist, the humble chalk ball is packed with the same chalk formula used in loose chalk but contained in a fine mesh outer layer to minimize spills. Try the flashy FrictionLabs Magic Sphere for only $10.
Chalk brush: picture a toothbrush, packed with boar’s hair bristles and sturdy enough to clean chalk residue from plastic in the gym and natural rock outdoors. Every climber needs one (at least), so you can’t go wrong with a brush.
Order a Metolius Bamboo Boar’s Hair Brush for only $4.95. Want something a little sturdier? Metolius Razorback Brush does a great job for just $9.95.
Skin Care: the thoughtful gift
All climbers need to take care of their skin whether they have been climbing for a week or a decade.
Joshua Tree makes some of the best skincare products for climbers, from sun protection to after-sport lotion and salve for hardworking hands.
The Dopp Kit comes in an easy carrying case, compact, and sized for travel. Climber’s Salve and Arnica Recovery Lotion pack a serious amount of soothing into a small package. Prices range from as low as $8 up to $39.
Chalk Bag or Bucket: the simple gift
For the boulderer, a chalk bucket is the personal feature of their climbing kit. Unique and bright patterns make a chalk bucket from Organic or Practical easy to recognize in a crowded gym and feature helpful pockets for phones, earbuds, snacks, etc. Price ranges between $30-$40.
Chalk bags are smaller than buckets but just as useful, and every rope climber needs one. Chalk bags are also perfect for boulderers looking for a smaller kit or planning to wear their bag while they boulder (most chalk bags come with a belt or can be purchased with a belt for about $20).
Training: the muscle gift
Hangboards are great for training at home or in the gym. But for training away from home, you need something small and portable.
Rock Rings from Metolius come in wood or plastic, and can be mounted anywhere you can find a sturdy branch or beam. As an added bonus, the rotation of the rings is easier on joints than on a traditional wall-mounted hangboard. Grab them for around $40.
Storage: the adventurer gift
All climbing gear lasts longer when you protect it.
For the outdoor climber in your life, a rope bag Metolius Rope Master is a great way to keep their rope clean and safe; an internal tarp keeps the rope off the ground during climbs, and the bag packs down small enough to get tucked away in a crag car or luggage.
For the gym climber, a bag doesn’t just preserve the gear: the gear is protected from the elements, and the rest of your belongings are protected from the smell of climbing shoes. Try the BD Crag 30 or 35. Grab the smaller one for a little over $50.
Gym Swag: the practical gift
You might have noticed that climbers wear A LOT of clothing with rock gym logos.
We love our gyms and all the gyms we visit around the world, so you can’t go wrong with some local rock gym swag.
Check your local gyms for featured apparel such as hoodies, sweatpants, tees, and tanks, as well as assorted other practical swag like water bottles, mugs, etc.
Rock Gym Membership: the ultimate gift
The majority of climbers these days start out in a gym, and odds are that the climber on your holiday gift list has a favorite climbing gym.
Even climbers who climb mostly outside appreciate the gym for training indoors, especially in the winter. Three months of gym membership makes a great holiday gift and helps support an industry that has struggled through months of forced closures, plus it helps a local business.
Gift Card: the when-in-doubt gift
Your local rock gym probably offers several denominations of gift cards towards goods and services, so check their website or give them a call to ask about gift card options.
Like the gift of membership, this has the added bonus of supporting the gym directly while allowing your favorite climber to spend the gift on what they need the most. Whether they need gear, instruction, an outdoor guided trip, or a Clif bar every day for the rest of the year, a gift card does the trick.
Whatever you gift the climber in your life, thanks for supporting them in a sport they probably can’t stop talking about. Climb on!
