Rock Archives

Sport Climbing Gear List: 12 Essentials for Beginners

Sport climbing is one of those hobbies that’s mostly free and extremely accessible once you own the gear. But, figuring out what gear to initially purchase…

Written by Seiji Ishii September 20, 2023

Sport Climbing 101: The Best Way to Learn the Ropes

Learn how to sport climb with our guide. We describe the basics of lead climbing, clipping bolts, anchor building, and eventually sport climbing outside on…

Written by Kyle Nossaman September 13, 2023

The Best Approach Shoes of 2023

Even though the sport climbers and boulderers don’t like it, sometimes getting to the crag requires a bit of hiking.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss August 23, 2023

Love It or Hate It, Bouldering Gyms Are Changing Climbing

Bouldering gym enthusiast versus rock climbing purist: Two camps face off on the future of the sport.

Written by Andrew McLemore August 21, 2023

The Best Women’s Climbing Pants of 2023

After months of testing, we found the best women’s climbing pants for every style and budget. Suit up and climb on.

Written by Chelsey Magness and Katie Griffith August 21, 2023

Q&A: How Fatherhood Helped This Man Send One of the World’s Hardest Trad Climbs

UK climber James Pearson has sent one of the hardest trad lines in the world. And his secret to success? Becoming a father.

Written by Andrew McLemore August 18, 2023

SCARPA Vapor S Review: Real Performance With All-Day Comfort

The SCARPA Vapor S is incredibly comfortable, making it an excellent slipper for long training sessions, boulder circuits, or endless pitches.

Written by Seiji Ishii August 08, 2023

The Best Climbing Shoes of 2023

Aside from the ice climbers, mountaineers, and Charles Albert, every climber needs a pair of reliable climbing shoes.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss July 27, 2023

Fall Hazard: Wild Country Recalls ‘Superlight Rocks’ Cable Chocks

Breaking news for coastal climbers: Some Superlight cable chocks can weaken and break when exposed to ‘seaside conditions.’

Written by Andrew McLemore July 24, 2023

Full Foot Tensioning: Evolv Zenist Pro First Look Review

The stellar Evolv Zenist launched in 2020. Evolv just put it in hyperdrive with the new Zenist Pro.

Written by Seiji Ishii July 17, 2023

Burly, Bomber, but Also Organized: Mystery Ranch Tower 47 Long-Term Review

The Mystery Ranch Tower 47 had the size, carrying ability, organization, and durability I’ve always wanted in a crag pack.

Written by Seiji Ishii July 06, 2023

Osprey Zealot Crag Pack Review: Superb for Single-Pitch, Sport Objectives

From the gear-protected roofs of the Gunks to the sunny slabs of Shelf Road, the Osprey Zealot is a first-rate kit hauler.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss June 15, 2023

Slot Tower 36 Climbing Pack and Rope Bag Review: Desert Tough, Designed to Work Together

The Slot Tower 36 and Rope Bag deliver a flexible way to get essentials to the crag. And their durability offers years of trouble-free use.

Written by Berne Broudy June 14, 2023

Dumpster Diving: The Proven Path to Professional Success in the Outdoors

It’s hard to imagine Dumpster diving as a path to success, but many leaders in the outdoor industry started with this humble beginning.

Written by James Lucas May 30, 2023

An Ode to Failure: There Is No Adventure Without It

In an era that celebrates success with virality, remember that failures are what truly test us.

Written by Sean McCoy May 18, 2023

Watch Seb Bouin Climb America’s First 5.15c, ‘Suprême Jumbo Love’

Some claim sport climbing is trite. Seb Bouin, Chris Sharma, and Randy Leavitt do not care.

Written by Sam Anderson May 09, 2023

‘Translucent’ Mountain Pack for All-Season Action: The North Face Phantom 38 Review

The updated North Face Phantom 38 Backpack attaches every tool you’ll need for mountaineering, ski touring, and backpacking if you don’t mind it getting dirty.

Written by Bergen Tjossem May 08, 2023

Arc’teryx Gamma Pants Review: Essential Legwear for Technical Missions

Dream big and brave the elements in these high-performance softshell pants from Arc’teryx.

Written by Katie Griffith April 28, 2023

Ghosts of Mexico: Legends Come Alive on This Big Wall Route (Film Review)

For years, a behemoth Mexican free climb loomed behind a massive, supernatural distance. Then Bronwyn Hodgins showed up.

Written by Sam Anderson April 26, 2023

‘Closest Thing’ to Freedom: Reel Rock 17 Climbs Past Violence in the West Bank

Watch a group of climbers grow bonds too strong for a de facto war zone to break — and pry the film’s famously disenchanted American…

Written by Sam Anderson April 21, 2023

Topo Designs Boulder Pants Review: These Pants Look Good, but Climb Harder

Unique colors meet performance and style in this out-of-the-box climbing apparel from Topo Designs.

Written by Katie Griffith April 20, 2023

This Climber Thinks Climbing Is ‘Absolutely Pointless’

Here’s a quick treatise on whether climbing matters — er, exactly why it both does and does not.

Written by Sam Anderson April 19, 2023

Scare Tactics: Free Soloist Explains Bizarre Ascent of ‘The Dangler’

Free solos come in all shapes and sizes. This ropeless outing left us puzzled, and drew a perplexing debrief from the climber.

Written by Sam Anderson April 11, 2023

Meet the World’s Only Blind Rock Climber Tagging First Ascents

Jesse Dufton is the only blind rock climber on Earth putting up first ascents. But for him, probing the vertical unknown is an everyday thing.

Written by Sam Anderson April 05, 2023

Harmful vs. Offensive: The Troublesome Debate Over Climbing Route Names

Climbing and bouldering route names are sometimes offensive. But are they harmful? Should they be changed without first ascensionists’ consent?

Written by Matt Samet March 30, 2023

Sure-Footed, Lightweight, and Foldable: Black Diamond Neve Pro Crampon Review

Black Diamond went back to the drawing board with their lightest crampon, the Neve Pro — the result is even lighter and ultra-packable.

Written by Bergen Tjossem March 23, 2023

Where Did Margo Hayes Get Her Climbing Chops? Rifle, Her ‘Home Crag’

The Boulderite became the first woman to notch a 5.15. But long before that, she started climbing in Rifle, Colo.

Written by Sam Anderson March 20, 2023

Sauter, Smith-Gobat Earn Women’s Speed Record on El Capitan

Mayan Smith-Gobat and Libby Sauter can blitz cliffs. Speed climbing on ‘El Cap’ takes intensive teamwork, plenty of creativity, and nerves of steel.

Written by Sam Anderson March 10, 2023

Patagonia Athlete Alex Megos Claims Multiple First Ascents at Red River Gorge

Alex Megos is sending 5.14 and playing the hits at the Red River Gorge. At least, the ones by millennial-famous rock band Papa Roach.

Written by Sam Anderson March 09, 2023

‘Protect America’s Rock Climbing Act’ Lands in Congress

In the first-ever standalone bill on climbing at a national policy level, a bipartisan group looks to defend the sport from “a growing threat.”

Written by Sam Anderson March 09, 2023

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