Like bouldering, sport climbing is among the fastest growing segments of climbing. Climbers make use of anchors and bolts that have been permanently embedded in the rock. Basic sport climbing equipment includes climbing shoes, climbing rope, a climbing harness, a rope bag, chalk and chalk bag, and a climbing helmet.

Traditional climbing
This is where ropes and more equipment come into play, allowing you to scale larger formations (crags, peaks, etc.). In traditional climbing, climbers use removable protection devices as they climb—that is, they insert devices into cracks and crevices and use rope to ascend higher and higher.

When you go on a traditional climb, the list of equipment starts to include some more advanced gear. You’ll need climbing shoes, climbing rope, a climbing harness, protection devices such as cams and nuts, carabiners, belay devices, a climbing helmet, and a climbing bag.

Ice climbing
For the truly adventuresome, ice climbing involves scaling ice formations, such as frozen waterfalls and glaciers.

Of all the climbing categories, ice climbing requires the most specialized equipment, including: mountaineering boots or ice climbing boots (Scarpa, La Sportiva, and Koflach are among the established brands), ice crampons, climbing rope (specifically dry rope, which is treated with a water-repellant coating), warm winter clothing, ice climbing tools and climbing axes, ice pitons, ice screws, a climbing harness, carabiners, belay devices, a climbing helmet, and a climbing bag.