Getting Equipped Basic equipment includes climbing shoes usually made of suede or leather with a tacky rubber sole. The shoe should provide a tight fit. Good climbing shoes allow you to smear - to use as much of the shoe s surface as possible to create a solid grip with the wall. Climbing shoes also facilitate edging , a technique in which climbers use the edge of the shoe for small foot holds. A chalk bag attached to the waist allows you to chalk your hands to eliminate perspiration.
Climbers often chalk their hands before a crux , a difficult set of maneuvers.
Other equipment considerations include a harness which fits around your waist and legs for belaying. Also, there s no substitute for being in the real outdoors. Wang is a downhill and cross country mountain bike racer and a former business writer for The Times of Trenton. He is currently racing the Hawaii State Downhill series starting in February. It helped me find out about the best ways to train for tennis and how to eat right and stay in shape.