Clothing Choices for Ice Climbing

Boots

Plastic boots offer warmth and dryness that you can't get from leather boots. Plastic boots have molded notches in the toes and heels to allow attachment of step-in crampons, as well. Their rigid structures make them well suited to vertical ice as they provide the support your feet need for front-pointing. For cold, steep, technical climbs, they are usually the preferred way to go.

Leather mountaineering boots, on the other hand, allow ankles to flex, which is more comfortable for extended French technique used in alpine ice climbing. Mountaineering boots with molded plastic midsoles and grooves in toes and heels for step-in crampons are ideal for moderate ice climbs in milder weather. They can also be paired with overboots for cold weather climbing.

Having a pair of each is ideal. But if you must choose only one pair of boots, go with plastic for winter or high altitude climbs. Get leather boots if you'll be doing mostly summer climbing. Also consider renting plastic boots if you're not sure. Several REI store locations have them available for rent.

Gaiters

Gaiters are a must for keeping your feet dry in snow and ice. Those with rugged materials such as Cordura® nylon are designed to withstand the abrasion of ice and rock. Gore-Tex® gaiters offer waterproof protection for all-day exposure to wet conditions. Snow gaiters have neoprene straps underfoot that adjust to fit your boots and provide a tight seal.

Outerwear

Ice climbing involves a lot of reaching overhead, so you want clothing that isn't going to ride up on your arms or waist. Keeping your torso covered can be accomplished by wearing bibs and/or a longer, parka-length jacket. A jacket with a storm skirt or powder skirt inside will also keep loose snow and ice out of your clothes. Some jackets, such as The North Face Mountain Jacket are designed with extra-long sleeves to keep your arms covered as you reach up. Select outerwear made of abrasion-resistant materials, such as pants with knee patches and jackets with elbow and shoulder reinforcements. And go for waterproof/breathable fabrics. These allow your body vapor to escape as you work hard, and prevent snow and rain from getting in.

Gloves

Finding gloves that will keep your hands dry (or at least warm) and allow you dexterity for placing or removing ice screws is essential. Without them, getting an ice screw off your harness and into the ice can be an exercise in frustration! Ideal gloves for ice climbing have gauntlets to keep the snow out of your sleeves and textured palms and fingers for traction on ice tools. They also have "keeper cords" that secure around your wrists to prevent losing them mid-climb if you remove them. Many have padded backings that protect your hands from bashing against the ice, and rugged fabrics that can withstand the abrasion dished out by an alpine wall.