Finding the perfect gift for the climber in your life can be as challenging as the crux move on a gnarly problem. Whether they’re scaling crags, tackling airy ridge-lines, or simply hanging about at the bouldering gym, climbers are a unique bunch with pretty specialised needs. Getting the best gifts for climbers right can be Difficult. Possibly even Very Difficult.
But fear not, because in this guide, we've curated a list of gifts that any climber – whether a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic beginner – will appreciate.
While we don't recommend you buy them shoes, harness or rope, as these are big, personal purchases, these smaller climbing-related accessories and knick-knacks gifts will make them very happy indeed.
(And, while we've got you, it's important you don't buy them a climbing-hold mug, because they will drop it and spill tea everywhere. Ask us how we know.)
The best gifts for climbers
Go Outdoors/Boot BananasMoisture-absorbing shoe deodorisers for climbing shoes - get these for the climber in your life before it's too late and they go nose-blind! An essential for anyone going sockless, or sharing a car home after a day at the crag.
AmazonThe official hand-acre product used by the Spanish climbing team, Climbskin Crema is the one-stop shop for repairing flappers and soothing sores ASAP. Plus it smells awesome.
AmazonBe the opposite of a pain in the neck with these belay glasses! If your climber spends a lot of time in a high, roped gym, chances are they'll be looking up a lot when belaying. These glasses use mirrors to give the belayer a clear view of the climber, without them having to look up constantly and get neck strain.
AmazonThis rope protecting tarp from Petzel provides a 140 into 140 centimetres of clean area to protect ropes from dust and dirt. It features four handles to make transport easier and colour-coding for quick rope end identification. Sure, you could get them an IKEA bag which does the job instead, but where's the style in that?
Etsywww.etsy.com
This gives a whole new meaning to whipping out your keys in a flash. Geared towards outdoor trad climbers, the keyring mimics the shape of an offset nut, slotting perfectly in the crag to protect your keys from an almighty ground fall.
(If they climb outside in the UK, they will NOT be disappointed with this gift)
Etsywww.etsy.com
Who would say no to a lovely pair of socks, covered with miniature climbers? Not me, that's for sure.
If your climber doesn't have a Nalgene they're essentially not part of the cool climbing kids club. And this time, it's not just brand-name-willy-waving: Nalgeges are popular with climbers for good reason: they're practically unbreakable and you can put all your stickers on them.
AmazonIs this the cutest chalk bag we've ever seen? Yes. Yes it is. While they probably won't be taking this one on an ultralight gear-hauling big-wall adventure, it's cute as hell for the crag or the gym, plus it's entirely machine washable for when it inevitably gets grotty. 10/10 from us.
AmazonIf you really want to treat them (or stop them using the door frames as training devices), get them this hang board. It comes with screws and expansion tubes for mounting, and will get their fingers feeling strong in absolutely no time.
Are they always complaining about how sore their shoulders are after a session at the bouldering gym? Give the gift of flexibility with this set of rubber resistance bands, and get them to train their antagonistic muscles too.
AmazonIf this is the person who really, already has everything they need to go climbing, then you can't go wrong with buying them some more chalk. Consider it like chocolate or wine for a normal person.
seller on Etsywww.etsy.com
If they're a part of the climbers-in-vans subset of the population (and there are many of those) then this rug might be the best gift they'll get all year. Made from recycled climbing rope, it's nifty, stylish, incredibly hardwearing and will do well in a larger camper van. If not, get it for their shed. Bonus points for being entirely hand-made too.
Where to find the best gifts for climbers
As you'll have noticed in the above list, there are lots of different places you can look for gifts when you're buying for a climber.
If you want to have a further browse, check out the following retailers:
Blacks | Ellis Brigham | Tiso | Snow + Rock | Cotswold Outdoor | Amazon | Alpinetrek | Sportsshoes | Go Outdoors | LD Mountain Centre | Wildbounds
About the author
Resident LFTO writer Fliss Freeborn has, in previous years, identified herself as a climber. In fact, she spent most of her early 20s on the end of a rope, arsing about on sea-cliffs, mountains, crags and gyms, trying her hardest not to fall off or get sicked on by a fulmar. Or one of her hungover pals.
At 26, she has now developed a sense of self-preservation and much prefers free-diving and mountain biking, though she's still partial to the odd multi-pitch V-diff solo romp outdoors.
She may or may not have recently flashed several people's projects in the local bouldering gym like the crag-rat she once was.