My First Outdoor Bouldering Trip (Part 2)

TLDR: Travelling needs packing, and bouldering outdoors is no exception. This article contains a list of essential clothing, equipment and accessories to keep you climbing strong, safely and comfortably on your trip. 

ESSENTIALS: CLOTHING

Don’t worry, we’re not here to wax lyrical about the latest Korean streetwear. We will, however, recommend some key points to keep in mind when you pack for outdoors bouldering. Your key priority should be to dress appropriately for the outdoor conditions of your destination. This applies especially to when you travel to temperate regions further away from Southeast Asia.

Generally speaking, warmer climates are easier to prepare for than colder climates – you will need less specialised clothing, dress more lightly and can focus on dealing with the elemental challenges of sun and rain.

Temperate locations tend to require additional preparation and attention since it is more difficult to stay warm and comfortable when you are outdoors. There are already many cold-weather clothing guides available online (for example, this expert advice article from REI.com). Instead of repeating their wisdom, we’re focusing on some of the principles that are more relevant to outdoor bouldering.

The key goal of your clothes is to ensure that you stay warm, ventilated and dry.

Bonus points if you look good in it too.

• You can easily achieve good temperature control by layering your clothing. Opt for more layers of moderately effective clothing. This way, you can easily warm-up or cool down in line with your activities.
  
• Consider bringing at least two types of climbing pants of any material – a lightweight pair for warmer days, and a heavier, more durable pair for colder days and some protection against rough rocks. Convertible pants typically offer less insulation against the cold but do well in giving you flexibility in your choices.
  
• Most people associate warmth only with thick jackets you wear. Don’t forget to bring some good thermal underwear bottoms and socks to keep your legs and toes warm too! They’ll not only help you feel more comfortable, but they’ll also help to make temperature regulation easier.
  
• Pack at least 2 jackets – one lightweight (polyester or fleece) jacket for use during activities, and a warmer (down or insulated) for staying toasty when you’re hanging out or waiting your turn. Oh, and thumbholes on jacket sleeves are probably the best thing ever. I love them, and I’m sure you will too.
  
• Invest in good rain gear. No matter how bulky it may appear to be during packing, you’ll always be thankful to have protection against both wind and rain when you’re outdoors.

ESSENTIALS: CLIMBING SHOES

Now, we know that everyone has an opinion on what the best climbing shoes on the market are, and we won’t disagree – there are heaps of good options out there from every trustworthy gear shop.

There is only one rule to choosing the best climbing shoes – if they fit well, they will work well.

(Don’t hate the messenger!)

Before we unleash our inner Cinderella, know this: the vast majority of climbing shoes are designed for use on rock surfaces. “Indoor only” rock shoes are the exception, and honestly, your shoes will work fine as long as they fit well and are in good condition.

Checking For Fit & Condition

Given the unpredictable nature of rock conditions in the outdoors, you’ll want to ensure that your shoes are in good shape and can deal with just about anything.

You probably won’t need to bust out your wallet for a brand new pair of pumps before a trip, but you’ll want to ensure that your shoes aren’t already spitting at the joints or wearing extra “vents”.

Here’s a quick checklist for knowing if your shoes fit you well:

• Do they fit comfortably AND snugly? Avoid extreme fits in either direction.
• Can you flex your toes both downwards and upwards with some control? Avoid extreme fits that curl your toes up too much – it will limit how much you can use your feet on the rocks.
• Are there air pockets in the back or sides of the heel of your shoes? These air spaces will create instability during heel hooks.
• Do your shoes smell? Well, that won’t ruin your climbing, but your party probably won’t appreciate it. Pack a pair of socks and some sneaker balls.

It is also prudent to pack 2 pairs of climbing shoes on a trip – each one bearing a slightly different design and comfort profile. That way, you can adapt to your environment, have a backup pair in the event of rain, and keep all your sponsors (except your wallet) happy.

Types of Rock & Their Quirks

Before we get into the specifics, here’s a general tip: If you’re looking to climb and explore a wide range of terrain (e.g.: technical slabs to overhangs), we recommend using a comfortable pair of shoes that allows your foot to move unrestricted and naturally.

If you’re looking to zero in on specific boulders or specialised terrain, then feel free to pack a pair of shoes that will help you excel at that form of climbing.

Different climbing destinations will host rock types that have different textures and characteristics that can affect your footwear choice too. Here’s a quick list of more popular rock types:

• Sandstone – rock with sandpaper-like texture, rigid edges, angular shelves and large slopping curves. Great for smearing.
• Limestone – rock with knobbly water-formed features like tufas, stalactites and pockets. May contain sharp edges as well as rounded ledges. Pack a pair that allows you to use your toes and forefoot well.
• Granite – crystalline texture, distinct crimps with rough edges. Its high density produces both large rock plates and angled shapes, as well as delicate micron features. Works great with stiff-soled shoes for support.

ESSENTIALS: CRASH PAD

When you boulder outdoors, you’ll need a way to protect yourself from unexpected falls from the rock. Enter: the crash pad. Not to be confused with your best friend’s place after a Saturday night, these thick mattresses are actually portable personal safety tools for boulderers.

A crash pad is typically a set of sandwiched foam sheets encased in a pretty looking fabric case. Some feature adjustable carry handles and straps, while others beg for the embrace of your group’s physically largest person.

Regardless of their size and design, there are generally 2 types of crash pads, each with distinct designs, pros and cons:

• Taco-style
  • Folds up and opens like a taco wrap / shell, with no seams or joints on the main body of the pad.
  • Typically of a bulkier design because of its inability to fold completely flat.
  • Absence of a seam helps to provide a continuous landing surface across uneven terrain.
• Folded-style
  • Folds up and opens like a fancy greeting card, with seams that allow the mattress sections to fold flat onto itself.
  • Typically packs more compactly – great for a makeshift table.
  • Presence of a seam allows the pad to cover uneven terrain more accurately, reducing clutter and obstruction.
• Most major airlines have sufficient baggage size and weight allowance to easily accommodate a crash pad. Unless you’re aiming to annoy the service staff during check-in, you may also wish to purchase the “bulky sports equipment” luggage allowance when buying your plane ticket.

When buying a crash pad, you would want to get one that has some amount of water resistance. This helps to keep the pad clean and dry during transit and at the crag. The last thing you want is to haul a giant soggy sponge back home.

So long as you buy your pad from a reputable retailer, they should work just fine. Most climbing destinations would also have a gym or outfit that has some for rental if you prefer not to buy one. You’ll need to lookup local listings, clubs or listings for the latter.

Oh yes, we highly recommend that you and your climbing buddies get some training with on how to use a crash pad too if you want to stay safe (and on talking terms after the trip). You would need to take turns “spotting” one another while you are on the rocks. This essential safety skill ensures that climbers always land safely onto the pad, even in unexpected falls.

ACCESSORIES

Alright, we’re almost done with the lecture, we promise! Here are some essential accessories that you would also want to pack for your outdoor bouldering trip.

• Chalk and chalk bag
  • You can, of course, pick your favourite brand of chalk and style of chalk bag. Remember to pack it in a waterproof bag for transit and outdoors.
• Brushes
  • You’ll probably only need one good brush to help you keep your handholds and footholds climbing-ready. If you can, opt for natural bristles (e.g.: boar’s hair) instead of plastic – they won’t wear on the rocks as aggressively, and still clean very well. Expensive brushes don’t necessarily clean better either. Even an old toothbrush could suffice.
• Sports or gym tape
  • Rocks can be taxing on your skin. You may wish to protect your precious fingertip skin with some tape to ensure that you can last the trip. This tape is also every McGuyver’s go-to for patching up holes and quick-fixing everything from body parts to bags.

• Skin & anti-inflammatory recovery balm
  • Help your skin recover after a day of climbing with some tender loving care in the form of a regrowth balm. Ordinary moisturisers won’t work as well because they tend towards softening skin with moisture. What you want for outdoors bouldering is robust and healthy skin instead.
    Recovery balms are helpful too if you have spent substantial time battling steep walls or challenging climbs. They’ll help ease muscle soreness and keep you ready for action after a good night’s rest.
• Nail clippers
  • They’re light, easy to use and irreplaceable when it comes to clipping fingernails, trimming stray facial hair and dangly price tags. They’re also great for removing bits of dry skin that may have been scratched off during bouldering.
• Plasters
  • Last but not least, a small stash of medical plasters could be useful for patching up small scrapes, protecting blisters and striking up conversations in bars. Don’t leave home without them.

And that wraps up our rather concise look at the essential gear that you would want to consider packing for your first outdoor bouldering trip.

Stay tuned for our next article, where we deal with the less technical, and more nuanced aspects of preparation – how to train for the trip, and ensure your quality-of-life is not compromised.