What are the best climbing brands in 2025 and why

What makes a climbing brand good? Is it quality of products and innovation? Is it how good they are at community building? Ethics? Or is it D – all of the above? Stick with us and discover which are the best climbing brands in 2025 and why.

What makes a good climbing brand?

In the early days, apparel and shoes had the sole purpose to keep humans safe from their environment and protect their bodies from different temperatures, insects, or hostile plants.

Nowadays, a brand is not just a company that sells a product but an identity. Through clothing, shoes, and accessories people are not looking just to dress up but also to make a statement.

Today, however, a brand’s reputation is increasingly tied to strict safety certifications like UIAA and CE, as well as its commitment to sustainability. Moreover, to truly stand out a brand must also earn the trust of the climbing community.

It seems that regardless of what’s on the market – be it a product or a service, building trust is just as important as maintaining ethical practices, ensuring quality, and prioritizing safety.

A good example of that is Vjosa River, a Patagonia project that introduced a new model for global water conservation.

Key features of what makes a climbing brand the best in 2025

1. Ethics and sustainability

An eco-friendly production with a lower impact on the environment. This includes the raw materials used in manufacturing to design, and transport to the end-user, durability, and capacity to be recycled.

2. Quality and innovation

In the past years, climbers have been able to constantly push limits and reach summits fast and light. Apart from the very specific training, this has also been possible thanks to the lightweight and performant materials climbing brands have been using.

The first 3 most life-changing innovations in climbing:

• Dyneema/Nylon used in slings, ropes, and harnesses
• Gore-Tex for apparel
• Cutting-edge plastics and alloys like carabiners and belay devices

3. Inclusivity, accessibility, and building community trust

Modern climbing prioritises access to all skill levels, genders, and budgets. Brands often emphasise community-building through initiatives like climbing gym partnerships, hosting events like climbing festivals, or sponsoring podcasts and climbers, professional or not.

In a world with full access to innovation and technology, building community trust is what differentiates one brand from another. When people believe in your brand they will likely advocate for it will automatically amplify its reach and reputation.

Last but not least, it drives Word-of-Mouth marketing, which is maybe the oldest form of marketing.

Best outdoor brands for climbing apparel

Unlike regular sportswear, climbing apparel is demanding because it must focus on movement, durability, and the ability to adapt to diverse environments.

Therefore, it must meet unique challenges and respect the community’s values.

Prana

In Yoga, ‘prana’ is seen as a ‘’universal energy which flows in currents in and around the body’’. Prana, the brand, is all about the love for movement.

So I am not surprised the fabrics they use are all about comfort making it ideal for indoor/outdoor climbing sessions or outdoor adventures.

More than that, Prana uses Fair Trade-certified factories and sustainable fabrics that set it apart from the rest.

Patagonia

It is more than just an outdoor brand, it’s a movement. Known for its eco-conscious philosophy, Patagonia produces high-performance gear that minimises environmental impact.

Their clothing line dedicated to climbing is built for alpine environments, sports climbing, bouldering, and fishing.

Their manufacturing combines durability with sustainability, using materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton.

Patagonia stands out through its Worn Wear program that promotes repairing and reusing gear, making it a favorite amongst eco-conscious climbers.

Moreover, it is also known thanks to Patagonia Action Works which since 1972 has been finding solutions to the environmental crisis.

E9

Has been producing climbing apparel and equipment in Italy since 1998 and is the number one rock climbing clothing brand in Europe at the moment.

In fact, my very first pair of climbing pants were from E9.

Ever since I keep seeing their bulky colored pants everywhere: at the crag, bouldering, or when climbing at the gym.

Ocun

Ocun is in direct competition with E9. This Czech brand with over 30 years of experience offers a broad range of what a climber needs: climbing shoes, harnesses, crash pads, ropes, and belay devices. Ocun is a legit well-established brand that made the crash pad with the highest absorption effect in the world.

What makes both Ocun and E9 special is the focus on ergonomy, technical innovation, and high-quality sustainable materials while keeping their prices affordable.

Best outdoor brands for bouldering crash-pads

Looking for a crash pad to start bouldering or looking to upgrade to a better one?

Look no more. Here are some of the best bouldering crash pad brands on the market.

SNAP

Have you ever fallen on a SNAP crash pad while bouldering? I have. It’s a fluffy Paradise! The French manufacturer SNAP uses multi-layered foam systems to balance firmness and cushioning, thus ensuring optimal impact absorption.

Apart from the amazing comfort and safety, SNAP crash pads are built using highly water and dirt-repellent fabric, ultra-durable ballistic nylon, or heavy-duty polyester.

Thanks to that they withstand the toughest outdoor conditions such as abrasion and wear from rugged terrain.

What sets SNAP apart from other equally good outdoor brands are innovative designs, eco-conscious materials, and a strong focus on performance and user convenience.

However, the very best models such as Guts are quite pricey.

But it’s worth it!

Moon

Moon brand started out in 2002 as a response to consumerist products. 22 years later Ben Moon is still in charge of the company – a small team of dedicated climbers.

Their crash pads use the highest quality closed-cell and open-cell foams bonded together into a single piece and stand out through simplicity, functional design, and increased product durability.

• 1% of gross sales revenue is donated to environmental charities
• Durable ballistic nylon fabric ensures long-lasting performance
• Commitment to respecting workers’ rights and ethical labor practices
• Collaboration with local suppliers to minimize transportation whenever feasible
• Packaging is kept to an absolute minimum and uses easily recyclable materials where necessary
• Preference for organic fabrics, recycled materials, and water-based dyes whenever possible
• Sea freight is prioritised over air freight to reduce environmental impact

Organic

When it comes to buying crash pads Organic is not the cheapest option out there but is surely one of the best.

As an outdoor brand, they strongly promote individuality in bouldering, which, they say ‘is the most organic form of climbing’. And who am I to disagree? 😂 

• Organic offers custom designs where customers can choose unique color combinations, patterns, and even personalized graphics, making each crash pad one-of-a-kind
• Durable craftsmanship with premium materials
• Sustainable practices such as reusing fabric scraps and locally sourced materials
• Organic uses dual-density or triple-layer foam for excellent impact absorption and long-lasting performance

Organic also stands out from other outdoor brands in terms of their values when it comes to the climbing community.

Because all their products are made in the USA, skilled artisans are paid fair wages to create originally crafted products.

Metolius

Metolius is not only a crash pad manufacturer but also offers a broad product range like trad gear, chalk, and training accessories as well as climbing holds.

The company was started in 1983 by Doug Philips in his garage and made itself known as a brand that delivers gear that climbers can trust.

Metolius crash pads stand out through their thoughtful design, high durability, and commitment to protecting the climber.

The Metolius Magnum Crash Pad, in particular, has earned a solid reputation among climbers due to its large surface area (4′ x 6′ (1.2 m x 1.8 m), quality foam construction (Sandwich), and innovative features such as:

• Cross-clipper logo rug for cleaning shoes
• Angle cut hinges
• A small external stash pocket and a larger inner pocket provide a place to store shoes, chalk bags, etc.
• Closure flap reverses to cover shoulder straps while bouldering
• Plush padded shoulder straps and dual sets of drag handles

Overall, Metolius provides a well-rounded package at a reasonable price.

Best climbing brands for chalk bags in 2025

What is a climber without a chalk bag? Nothing – unless you’re Janja Garnbret and you lose it while competing at a World Cup semifinal.

For the rest of us mortals, chalk bags are one of the most precious climbing accessories that simply can’t miss from around a climber’s waist.

8Bplus

Probably the funniest, heaviest, and most colourful chalk bag brand out there, is the 8b+. Why? Their chalk eaters are fluffy, funny, and ready to cheer up your bouldering sessions! Moreover, here you can find all their 8Bplus models – chalk included!

Prana

In a world of gear and technical features, I choose the Prana chalk bag; small, soft, and super comfortable, just like any other Prana piece of clothing. They’re simply designed, have a brush support and they’re comfortable around your waist. Just try them out and you’ll agree!

Are you wondering what chalk to use with this pretty Prana bag? Try Tokyo Chalk – it’s the official World Cup chalk.

What makes Tokyo stand out?

• It’s the highest-friction food-grade magnesium chalk ever discovered
• It is long-lasting and it requires little quantity
• It offers options for dry hands and sensitive skin
• An exceptional grip on plastic holds

In fact, Tokyo chalk is so good we wrote a guide where we run through each product in detail.

YY Vertical

Born in France, YY Vertical is a brand mostly famous for its belaying glasses and great wooden hangboards. But did you know they also make pretty fluffy chalk bags?

Practical elements such as wide openings for easy access to the magic powder, brush holders, and lightweight construction make YY Vertical chalk bags stand out as climber-friendly products.

Read our detailed guide on their training gear for climbing.

The best climbing brands for indoor, trad, and sports climbing

What would this guide be without mentioning some historical brands that still uphold their standards in this continuously inspiring community?

Edelrid

Edelrid is a German brand with over 160 years of experience in manufacturing gear for indoor climbing, bouldering, snow, ice, industrial applications, and rope access.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business and growth, Edelrid has made a significant impact on the world of climbing and mountaineering by raising safety and performance standards and brand innovations such as Edelrid’s PFC-free ropes or Ohm.

The company is particularly known for producing high-quality climbing gear like very durable eco-friendly ropes, climbing harnesses, helmets, belay devices, carabiners, and bouldering crash pads.

All this while keeping its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Scarpa and La Sportiva

As a climber, I understand that the choice between La Sportiva and Scarpa largely comes down to personal preference. Both Italian brands are deeply committed to their heritage while remaining leaders in innovation within the climbing and outdoor industry.

Shared strengths of La Sportiva and Scarpa

• Italian craftsmanship: Both brands maintain strict control over production, ensuring every pair of boots is built to the highest standards
• Focus on performance: Their products are designed for specific outdoor disciplines such as climbing, trail running, and skiing
• Sustainability: Both brands focus on eco-friendly practices, including dyes that reduce harsh chemicals and durable designs that prioritize repairability over disposability

I could barely find a key differentiator for these two companies as they are both Italian, both family-owned and they both focus on some of the best climbing shoes and high-end ski boots in the industry. However, here are three:

• La Sportiva focuses on climbing and alpine footwear, with a strong emphasis on performance innovation for climbers and mountaineers.
• When it comes to climbing shoes, La Sportiva has a bonus point for their No-Edge collection

Scarpa excels across a broader spectrum of outdoor sports. Apart from marking great climbing shoes, they also make great gear for skiing and hiking.

Similar to Petzl and Edelrid, they both support athletes, through sponsorships and expeditions.

Petzl

Petzl is a French story that begins in 1970 and remains family-owned to this day, which is quite extraordinary in today’s industry where most businesses tend to be bought by an ever bigger group.

Apart from creating the best climbing, caving, and mountaineering gear, Petzl always had strong ethics and good marketing campaigns in the industry.

Maybe you’ve heard about the Petzl Foundation or Petzl RocTrip?

Also widely known for actively supporting climbers, explorers, and adventurers through sponsorships, expeditions, and educational initiatives the brand offers a broad range of products including the essentials for a climber: quickdraws, slings, ropes, helmets, belay devices (like the Grigri), and headlamps.

Unparallel

A while ago we dedicated a full detailed guide to Unparallel. Why? Cause we think their climbing shoes are great!

Unparallel climbing shoes are made by the key members of the Five Ten team and are ideal for climbers such as Tomoa Narasaki and Tom Randall who value performance on multiple types of climbing surfaces.

Moreover, despite the name being relatively new on the market, their knowledge extends up to more than 20 years of know-how, including climbing shoe testing.

What makes them stand out?

• Exceptional rubber quality, friction, and durability
• Versatile designs suited to different climbing styles, including bouldering, competition climbing, trad and indoor climbing
• High sensitivity and precision
• Ethical and high-quality manufacturing – California

Arc’teryx

No guide would be complete without mentioning Arc’teryx. Born in British Columbia, Canada, Arc’teryx truly lives up to its initial name, which was “Rock solid” especially when it comes to mountain gear and high-performance products.

This brand is renowned for pushing the boundaries of technology within the industry, setting its offerings apart through innovation, durability, and exceptional craftsmanship – though it’s important to note their products come at a premium price.

Moreover, Arc’teryx is committed to minimising its environmental impact through its ReBird program which focuses on repairing and recycling gear.

Moreover, they prioritise using Bluesign-approved materials to have less harmful effects and impact on the environment.

Just like most outdoor brands, Arc’teryx engages with the climbing and outdoor community by supporting athletes and sponsoring events and programs such as Arc’teryx Climbing Academy.

Arc’teryx products excel in a variety of outdoor activities, are premium and despite their high price, their durability, functionality, and cutting-edge designs often justify the cash.

Let’s put it this way: if you’re planning a trip in the mountains and the weather is s**t, choose Arc’teryx.

Evolv

Evolv has established itself as a leading climbing shoe brand through its innovative designs, high-performance products, and commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.

They made a name in the outdoor industry by offering a wide range of climbing shoes, from beginner-friendly models like the Defy and Elektra to more professional shoes for elite athletes like the Shaman and Phantom.

World-famous crushers such as Daniel Woods or Slab Queen Anna Hazelnutt are psyched to climb their toughest boulders and routes with Evolv!

Read Anna Hazelnutt’s opinion on Evolv – Shaman and a more detailed guide on the brand in our Boulderflash guide section.

Best affordable climber-friendly brands

Unless you’re a climbing star, finding climbing gear that strikes a balance between good looks, decent prices, and safety can often be a challenge. That’s why I’ve put together this list of brands that provide not only reliable but also good-looking climbing gear.

Whether you’re a beginner, a gym enthusiast, a rock climber, or a mountaineer, these options will meet your needs without compromising on quality.

Black Diamond

First, all Black Diamond products are based on rock-solid experience in climbing gear. Some of their products are premium and a bit more pricey but when it comes to indoor climbing this brand has quite the offer of a wide range of products at competitive prices. Moreover, they maintain high quality and always apply safety standards.

From ropes, harnesses, clothing, and climbing shoes to helmets, trad gear, skis, and carabiners, Black Diamond has everything you need: lightweight, affordable, and high quality.

What makes Black Diamond apparel ideal for the indoor climbing scene?

1. Climbing-specific design with articulated construction and strategic stretch zones. Their tops and bottoms are cut to fit snugly without being restrictive, ensuring freedom of movement without excess fabric that could snag on holds or harnesses.
2. Durable yet lightweight fabrics that are not only abrasion resistant but also stretchy and breathable. Maintain your comfort high during those intense indoor sessions!
3. Design with technical features such as adjustable waistbands for a custom fit and climbing-specific panels that enhance airflow.
4. Eco-friendly initiatives such as using organic cotton, and recycled materials.

Tips for climbers on a budget

Purchasing each item separately can cost you a lot of money. Therefore, when shopping for climbing gear, look for package deals that include essentials like harnesses, belay devices, ropes, and chalk bags.

Additionally, save substantial money by taking advantage of the sales Boulderflash has in store for you!

How to choose the right brand for you

Not long after I started indoor climbing, it became clear this activity was more than just a sport. Climbing is a lifestyle and an amazing opportunity to connect with nature, others, and myself.

Whether you’re bouldering in a gym, pushing grades on sports climbs, or training indoors to prepare for outdoor adventures, the right gear is essential for both your performance and safety.

Today, gear goes beyond pure functionality – it is part of our climbing experience. Just like a fine French dish, passion in climbing is about savouring the flavour, finding joy in the details, and less about quantity and functionality.

Which climbing brand resonates with your values, supports your goals, and enhances your connection to the climbing world?

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