POWERFUL PROTECTION

“As I made the transition from bouldering to sport and alpine climbing, I soon realized the importance of a comfy helmet that I’ll actually wear. The Black Diamond Half Dome is a great entry-level helmet for climbers unsure of how much trad, alpine or big wall climbing they’ll be doing. It’s possible to put safety first without having to splurge.”
$60
blackdiamondequipment.com

CHALK IT UP

“This simple yet stylish chalk bag is sure to lend you hipster cred at the gym or the crag. Having chalk on hand is vital in the sticky, sweaty south and these convenient little chalk carriers are hand-made in Colorado.”
$29
topodesigns.com

FIERCE FOOTWEAR

“My Anasazis are by far my favorite shoe. The slim, low volume fit is comfy but grants amazing control up on the rock. They strike a good balance between comfortable fit and an aggressive, downturned toe that makes powering off on boulder problems a breeze. Plus, they’re made in the USA”
$165
fiveten.com

BOULDERING BESTIE

“My crash pad is my most prized possession. Organic Climbing Company hand sews their pads out of fabric scraps from other projects. Though they’re happy to design a custom pad for you, I just told them I liked purple and turquoise, and they designed me an awesome, 90s inspired pad fashioned from leftovers. They’re personalized and environmentally friendly, and boast some of the best foam on the market.”
$175
organicclimbing.com

SIMPLE STRENGTH

“This is my favorite belay device because it doesn’t have much of a learning curve and is really easy to handle. As a climber girl who often ends up belaying guys that outweigh me, the GRIGRI holds another climber’s weight easily and makes hang-dogging up a route less obnoxious for the belayer. I’ve taken many a fall on my GRIGRI, and have caught many friends. I trust this little guy with my life and beyond.”
$100
petzl.com