John Malcolm Rock climbing is very popular outdoor activity in North America and Mexico, because there are numerous cliffs of granite, limestone, and sandstone that make excellent locations for this sport. An increasing amount of outdoor enthausists are learning how to rock climb and experiencing the exhilaration that this sport brings. Rock climbing rookies should know their basic rock climbing gear and make sure that all the equipment used are designed according to the safety standards required for rock climbing. The strength, endurance, and mental control of the climber should always be paired with effective rock climbing gear that offers the right protection. Here are some of the necessary items you will need for to get started with rock climbing. Helmet You should never go climbing without this piece of rock climbing gear. Minor falls and clashes are inevitable in rock climbing and a helmet is needed to protect you from serious head injuries. You can either buy a brand new helmet or settle for a used one as long as the straps are working well. One way to identify a good helmet is to see if it forms a “Y” around your ears, and it should not be tipped to the back of your head. Harness Invest in your harness. It is advisable that you buy a padded one, even though they may be more expensive. A padded harness gives the climber more comfort while hanging. Make sure that your harness fits you well at both your waist and legs. Always buy harnesses new. Often shops will provide hooks that allow you to test out the harness to see how comfortable it will be while hanging. Climbing Shoes Choose climbing shoes that are stiff enough to support your untrained toes on the wall, but that are still comfortable enough for long climbing sessions. You should select basic lace-up shoes with more supportive mid-soles; these shoes are also known as “board-lasted” shoes. It is best that you get your climbing shoes new from stores that provide indoor climbing facilities for testing. Most of these shops offer resoling services, so make sure you ask them about their rates and compare them with other resoling service shops. Ropes Get stretchable ropes to ease the stress on your back during bounce. The recommended diameter for climbing ropes is between .40 of an inch to one half an inch (10mm to 11mm). Any diameter that is less than this should not be used alone. Buy new UIAA approved ropes to ensure maximum strength. Belay Device This device is used by the belayer to control the rappel of the climber by providing enough friction to the ropes. This device functions to break the fall, in case there is one. The belay device is crucial for the climber and the belayer, and you can get them from any mountaineering shop. Carabiner This rock climbing gear is used to connect ropes or other gears. You should make sure that the 'biner you use is for rock climbing as there are many types of 'biners for different purposes such as sailing or caving. An HMS asymmetrical D-carabiner that snaps closed with screw-tightened biners is widely used in rock climbing. A used 'biner should be fine for beginners as long as the screw and the snap locking system still work well. Quickdraw This device is made up of two carabiners connected together by a highly durable webbed strap. This is used to control the rope feed, allowing it run smoothly from the belay point to the climber. The most commonly used 'biners in quickdraws are the tube-gate-carbiners, which are useful in almost all climbing situations. Used quickdraws can be used as long as the straps are not worn out. The straps can always be replaced and customized for a lower price than buying brand new ones. Chalk Bag and Chalk A chalk bag holds your chalk in the form of loose, block or ball. Chalks work to make your hands dry so that you will have better grip. Every item mentioned above is essential for your safety, and it's necessary that you have all of them. If you are just starting and don’t want to spend a lot of money, you also can consider the option of renting a set of rock climbing gear. The items available for rent usually include helmet, harness, ropes, belay device, carabiner, quickdraw, and chalk bag. You will have to buy your own shoes and some chalk. Make sure you rent the rock climbing gear from an established rental company, so that you can be sure that it is safe for use. If you are planning to rock climb regularly, it is best to invest in your own rock climbing gear. Find quality gear in larger sporting good stores or specialty rocking climbing shops. Also, once you've established what you want to buy, check out online shops. You can find a wide variety of rock climbing gear at REI . This site offers very reasonable prices, with occasional discounts on popular brands. Daily advertisements, local directory, newspapers, and magazines are also great resources for you to find wonderful bargains for rock climbing gear.