So, you have a friend, significant other, or family member that says they climb on either some plastic rocks or some real rocks.
What's a good gift to get them? Not to worry, we got you covered for this upcoming Holiday season!
If you're on the hunt for the perfect holiday gift for a rock climber, you're in the right place! Whether it's a Christmas present, a thoughtful Secret Santa gift, or a small stocking stuffer, climbers appreciate practical, fun, and unique items that can enhance their climbing experience or their lifestyle off the wall. Climb Smart Shop has put together a list of great gift ideas that cater to all budgets and climbing levels.
1. Guidebooks
Climbing guidebooks are like a ticket to endless adventures, no matter where they are in your climbing journey. These books are full of detailed route descriptions, maps, and helpful tips on technique and safety—perfect for any climber who loves discovering new spots or improving their skills. For those who have a wanderlust for different climbing destinations, a guidebook is a must-have companion.
Recommended Guidebooks:
"Yangshuo Rock" by Andrew Hedesh - This guidebook is indispensable for anyone that has dreamed of traveling to this other-worldly location. This guidebook is a comprehensive guide to one of the world’s top climbing destinations, Yangshuo, China.
Southern Nevada Bouldering III Guidebook - This guide book covers bouldering spots in Southern Nevada. Packed with route descriptions, maps, and helpful tips, it’s an essential resource for climbers looking to explore this rugged and diverse bouldering haven.
"Climbing Psychology Book" by Kevin Roet - This book explores the mental side of climbing, offering strategies to improve focus, overcome fear, and build resilience. Perfect for climbers looking to boost their mental game and perform at their best.
"How to Climb Training: Step by Step Instructions for Novice to Pro" by Neil Gresham, Rock and Ice - This book offers step-by-step instructions to help climbers of all levels improve their skills, from basic techniques to advanced training strategies.
2. Finger Tape or Skin Care Products
Taking care of climbing skin is essential, especially during winter when the skin tends to dry out. A tube of hand balm, skin repair lotion, or a finger tape is an affordable yet thoughtful gift. These products are essential for preventing rips and tears during climbing sessions.
Recommended Finger Tapes:
8B+ Finger Tape - 8BPLUS presents finger tapes that are entirely free of plastic or urethane, while being both hypoallergenic and breathable. Despite its strong grip, you won’t have to deal with annoying sticky residue anymore.
Evolv Magic Finger Tape - Unlike adhesive sports tapes, Evolv medical grade, self-adherent, water resistant, and breathable magic finger tape sticks to itself rather than the skin with gentle pressure application.
Recommended Skin Care Products:
Rhino Skin Solutions Finger Massage Ring - Fingers are super important for climbing. This ring will help you massage the soft tissues that make up your skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Rhino Skin Solutions Rhino Repair Lotion - This non-greasy, fast-absorbing cream is packed with natural ingredients like honey, tea tree oil, and arnica, specifically formulated to soothe sore skin
Rhino Skin Solutions Rhino Split - A whipped balm containing beeswax that helps heal splits and gobies. This is the perfect companion for anyone who experiences skin splits or gobies, whether from climbing, manual labor, or outdoor activities. Its natural formula is designed to promote healing, provide protection, and ensure your skin recovers quickly and effectively.
3. Carabiners
If you know climbers, you know they love their carabiners. A carabiner keychain is a simple, practical, and fun way for a climber to carry their gear or keys.
Recommended carabiners:
Black Diamond MiniWire Carabiner Rackpack - 6 Pack - Engineered for the light and fast climber that’s counting every gram, the MiniWire Rackpack features six of the lightest, fully-functional carabiners in the Black Diamond line-up.
Petzl AM'D Tri-Act Carabiner - The Am'D asymmetrical aluminum carabiner has a D shape best suited for connecting a belay system or for holding gear.
4. Training
A portable fingerboard or hangboard is a great way for climbers to train their grip strength and finger endurance at home or on the go.
Recommended training gear:
Surfaces for Climbing Progression Hangboard - Created in 2011 by climber and coach Eva López, is currently the only finger training board that features both a design and a set of training methods derived from a Doctoral Thesis.
Beastmaker 1000 Series Hangboard - The Beastmaker 1000 offers the perfect training for effective performance enhancement.. This hangboard has been ergonomically designed for the hands of those who are a bit newer to climbing and training but want to progress quickly.
Black Diamond Forearm Trainer - The Forearm Trainer is an excellent companion for warm-up, rehab, or travel between sessions.
5. Headlamps
Recommended headlamps:
6. Chalk and Chalk brushes
One of the most common purchases for climbing gear is chalk, and chalk brushes, both are essential tools for every climber. High-quality climbing chalk helps manage sweat and keep hands dry, while a chalk brush ensures they can clean holds and maintain the best grip possible. Explore our top recommendations for both chalk and brushes that are durable, effective, and easy to use.
Chalk and Brushes:
8B+ Chalk - 8BPlus's high quality chalk 100% pure & natural Magnesium carbonate
Petzl Power Liquid Chalk 200ml - If the person you are seeking a gift for complains about sweaty hands, this is the pick for you! Petzl's Power Liquid non-airborne liquid chalk for climbing gyms dries the hands within a few seconds of application and keeps them dry a long time.
Crank Climbing Brush - A Climbing Brush That Also Tightens Bolts. It features premium boar's hair bristles to renew friction to even the nastiest holds outside and at the gym. Not only that, but the Crank Brush can tighten bolts to 20ft/lbs, securing it properly for many falls to come.
Wataaah! Big Brushy File - Big Brushy File, thats our new innovative combination of a high end brush and a file.
Faza Brush - Each brush is one of a kind. These unique, high quality brushes a great way to stand out while brushing your project.
7. Gift Cards
8. Shoe deodorizer
One often-overlooked but incredibly useful option is shoe deodorizer. Climbing shoes can get pretty stinky after long sessions, and a good deodorizer helps keep them fresh and odor-free.
Recommended shoe deodorizers:
Sole Spray Shoe Deodorizer - Experience ultimate freshness with Sole Spray, a natural shoe deodorizer spray crafted with sweet orange and wintergreen essential oils.
Grangers Odour Eliminator Shoe Spray - A spray to eliminate odors that linger on non-washable items. This works on items such as sleeping bag between washes, climbing shoes or even your boxing gloves