Extra bouldering gear you need as you progress

​Bouldering is regarded as the most accessible style of climbing, but do you know what extra bouldering gear you need as you progress?

It’s true—all you need to get started is a pair of climbing shoes! However, if you’ve been bouldering for a while, you’ve learned that shoes are just the start of your new obsession. You may already have shoes, chalk, and a bouldering mat, but what else do you need?

Climbing companies can seem to pump out a lot of unnecessary bouldering gear. But here, we’ve compiled a list of everything to enhance your climbing experience. From stick brushes to nail files to portable fans, check out this extra bouldering gear you need as you progress.

1. Chalk bucket

Let’s assume you’re already using chalk, but are you using a chalk bucket? The chalk bucket is a revolutionary piece of bouldering gear that every boulderer needs. It’s an oversized chalk bag that’s super easy to use.

When you look for a chalk bucket, consider what you want to keep when you’re bouldering. Many options feature a zipper pocket, brush holders, and different closure systems.

Check out our options for boulder buckets here.

2. Chalk bag

You’ll want a chalk bucket for easy chalk application, but have you considered using a chalk bag? Some boulder problems can be long; if you’re anything like me, you use your chalk quickly. I’ve fallen off the end of more problems than I care to admit because I ran out of chalk.

I’m a sweaty-hands climber; I use a lot of chalk. I’ll take my chalk bucket and chalk bag with me when I go bouldering, just in case!

Check out our options for chalk bags here.

3. Bouldering bag

You’ll want somewhere to keep all your bouldering essentials like shoes, chalk, nail clippers, tape, etc. A bouldering bag is the perfect addition for any climber looking to stay organised.

A simple backpack will work, but a bouldering bag will have extra features to help you store your things more efficiently. These features could include multiple pockets, a water reservoir, or sewed-in daisy chains to externally clip things.

4. Climbing tape

Tape is a must-have for any climber. It’s perfect for when your skin is raw but you’re psyched to keep climbing, or when you get a flapper early into a climbing session.

Tape comes in different widths, so make sure you double-check the size before you order. Thinner rolls of tape are designed for your fingers while wider climbing tape made by companies like WideBoyz and Metolius is great for crack gloves.

Speaking of crack gloves, you can save tape and grab a pair here if you plan to climb any crack boulders!

Here are all the different finger tapes we carry in our shop.

5. Nail clippers

Never use the climbing gym’s community nail clippers again; stash one of these in your bouldering bag! Nail clippers are an essential piece of bouldering gear for all climbers.

If you’re like Adam Ondra, you keep your nails a little bit longer than ‘climber-normal’ to help you crimp harder. But if you’re like me, you want those nails to stay away from scraping on the wall. Keep these in your bouldering bag so you’re always getting proper nail care.

Clip your nails, send your project, then pop open your favorite beverage with this Rhino Skin nail clipper/bottle opener combo.

6. Skin file

Like a nail file, but for your skin, a file is the perfect addition to your bouldering bag. They’re small, lightweight, and great for keeping your skin in tip-top shape.

File down those calluses to even out layers and avoid flappers. You can also smooth off ridges around your nails to keep your skin from ripping.

Lattice Training makes a great product that’s gone through rigorous testing to create the best climbing skin file like Lattice Hand File.

7. Skin repair

Whether you need something for dry, sweaty, cracked, or split skin, Rhino Skin has the best products to keep your hands healthy. You can grab the bulk size of what you need, but the travel size fits perfectly in a chalk bucket or bouldering bag.

If you don’t have a skincare routine yet, you should get on that! Check out this article on how to care for your skin: Climber hands and skin: How to look after them.

For any Rhino Skin products, you can find them in our shop here.

8. Brushes

They’re necessary for any boulderer. I currently have two handheld brushes, but I’m looking to grab a third, a stick brush. A boulder brush is used for scrubbing dirt and grime off climbing holds. They really can be the difference between sending or not.

Brushes come in varying sizes, but if you’re only going to grab one, start with a smaller brush. A smaller brush is perfect for getting into those hard-to-reach places like small crimps, yet can still be used on larger holds.

A stick brush, on the other hand, is an excellent addition to any outdoor boulderer.

With an extendable handle, it cleans those holds that you can’t reach from the ground!

Check out our range of brushes here.

9. Knee pad(s)

Bouldering often requires some funky beta: toe-hooks, pogos, dynos, but what about knee bars? As you progress as a climber, you may search for harder climbs. Harder climbs often force you to do more creative beta, like knee bars.

A knee bar locks your leg into place by pushing down on your heel and ‘camming’ your knee into the rock. It’s not the most comfortable climbing move, so consider getting a knee pad to save yourself some pain!

If you’re looking for a knee pad, check out these options like Send Mini Slim Kneepad and Send Large Slim Kneepad.

10. Chalk

Yes, I’m sure you’ve been using chalk since you started bouldering, but have you ever tried different chalk?

Not all chalk is created equal. Some chalk has more drying agents, some are pure magnesium carbonate, and some are just not good.

Consider spending a little extra cash to try a high-end chalk and see the difference for yourself.

Beware, you may be never go back!

Some high-end chalk brands include Friction Labs, Tokyo Powder, Gold Dust, and Magnus Midtbø’s Rúgne.

Check out our range of chalk here.

11. Warmup tools

Bouldering outside is vastly different from visiting the gym. You’ll need to carry anything you want to use, such as the bouldering gear you use to warm up.

While hanging on rocks is probably your routine, consider grabbing a portable fingerboard to target your tendons. Also, check out a resistance band!

A resistance band is lightweight and easy to pack. They’re great for preparing your shoulders and arms for climbing.

Both items fit in a bouldering bag nicely and are great to have when climbing outside.

Check out our finger trainers here and a great multiuse resistance Crux Warmup Band.

12. Weight vest

Weight vests are an excellent way to build strength while bouldering. Throw one on and try a few climbs; you’ll see what I mean!

But really, if you’re looking to improve your bouldering strength and aren’t interested in lifting weights, pick up a weight vest!

You can perform sets of four boulders in four minutes, traverse around the gym, or even try climbs at your limit.

Many weight vests allow you to add weight, so they are great pieces of bouldering gear that you can use while you improve.

Just make sure not to wear a weight vest when doing a fingerboard exercise.

They change your center of gravity and can cause injury; use a harness with a lifting pin instead.

13. Gel protector toe caps

If you’re somebody who likes to keep their shoes on for an entire session, check out these EB Gel Toe Protector Cap.

When you notice discomfort in a specific toe, throw one on to save yourself from blisters. Created with a pliable gel structure, they’re washable and reusable.

Plus, they’re small and can fit in any bouldering bag!

14. Shoe hygiene

Do your friends scatter when you pull out your trusty climbing shoes? Are they stinking up your bouldering bag? It might be time to do something about that…

These Boot Bananas are designed to combat extreme odour by deodorizing and absorbing moisture.

Their thoughtful shape can reach all the way to the toes of your stinky shoes, helping you keep your friends around.

What’s neat about Boot Bananas is that they ‘ripen’ with moisture exposure and will turn brown when they need to be replaced.

Don’t worry; a pair of these bad boys can last up to a year!

15. Snacks!

Arguably, one of my favorite pieces of bouldering gear to bring climbing is my snacks. I’ll choose something that fills me up and gives me the energy to keep trying hard.

When I’m climbing outside, I need something that fits easily in my bouldering bag, like Torq’s drink mixes.

They’re small and perfect for helping me keep my energy high while climbing!

16. Recovery tools

You’ll want to add some sort of recovery tool to your climbing equipment.

When I get home from the gym, I like to use a Theragun massager to loosen up tight muscles and speed up my recovery.

Another great piece of equipment is finger massage rings, like the ones from Rhino Skin.

They help massage the soft tissues on your fingers to relieve that finger pump. Use them between tries on your project or on the way home from the crag.

They’re small and easily portable and can fit in the smallest bouldering bag.

17. Portable fan

Portable fans have infiltrated the bouldering scene, transforming how climbers pack their bouldering bags. Many climbers will use a fan to keep the crux holds moisture-free to gain the most friction when trying at their limit.

They’re also great for keeping yourself cool on a hot day or your fingers dry in a humid environment. Sometimes, chalk just isn’t enough!

18. Portable ladder

Another newly popular piece of bouldering equipment is the portable ladder. Instead of using a stick brush to clean off holds high on a boulder, why not use a ladder?

A ladder also allows climbers to feel the holds higher on a climb to avoid any surprises when going for the send. Use your portable fan with your ladder and dry out any climbing hold on a boulder!

19. Sitter pad

Unlike a crash pad, a sitter pad isn’t designed to take big falls. They’re thinner and super lightweight!

Sitter pads are great in two applications: to cover any gaps between crash pads and to use on sit starts.

Dropping off a boulder and landing between crash pads can cause major foot and ankle injuries. A sitter pad can close those gaps.

When starting a boulder with a sit start, it’s nice to sit on a thin pad if you fall off the first move.

A sitter pad works great when a crash pad may be too thick.

Check out the sitter pads we have in our shop here.

20. Small towel

Bouldering outside is dirty. Wipe your shoes clean with a small towel before stepping on the rock.

Climbers rely on the rubber of their shoes to keep them on the wall. If our shoes are covered in mud or dirt, we have more of a chance of slipping off!

This can be any small towel you have lying around. Stash one in your bouldering bag and take it out climbing with you. Just remember to wash it every now and then!

Do you have enough bouldering equipment?

Did you realise how much extra bouldering gear you need as you progress?

While bouldering is the most accessible form of climbing, you can rack up quite a bit of gear!

The more you progress, the more you’ll find that having the right gear makes all the difference.

Let us know in the comments what piece of bouldering gear you will grab next!

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