Arc'teryx GORE-TEX Climbing

Match the harness type to your climbing style

• Sport or indoor climbing harnesses tend to be stripped down for fast travel and feature minimal gear loops.
• Trad climbing harnesses include more gear loops since climbers place their own protection. Comfort and padding are key, as you may spend hours on a route or hanging in your harness.
• Mountaineering harnesses are designed for long approaches and all-season versatility.

Key features:

• Adjustable leg loops: Fit different body types and clothing layers.
• Gear loops: Range from two to five loops to rack your gear.
• Waistbelt padding: Thicker padding or broader surface area helps distributes pressure, adding comfort.

Women-specific harnesses

Many climbing harnesses are available in unisex models, but some are designed to better fit a women's body. Pick a women-specific harness if it better matches your body type.These harnesses typically feature a higher rise, a larger leg-to-waist ratio and a shaped waistbelt.

Which type do you want?

• Neutral shoes. Great choice for beginners; allow toes to lie flat and provide all-day comfort.
• Moderate shoes. Good all-around shoe. A slightly downturned shape and stickier rubber makes them good for technical climbing.
• Aggressive shoes. The very downturned toes put your feet in a powerful position for challenging sport routes and bouldering; less comfortable than the neutral or moderate shoes.

Choose key features.

• Shoe closure options include laces, straps or slip-on.
• Uppers can be synthetic or lined- or unlined leather. Unlined leather uppers can stretch a full size, while synthetic uppers don't stretch much.
• Climbing shoe last is the foot-shaped model around which a shoe is built. Most rock climbing shoes are slip-lasted, which tend to be sensitive and less stiff than board-lasted shoes.
  

Consider these shoe fit tips.

• Shop later in the day as your feet can swell up to a full size during the day.
• Your toes should lie flat or be comfortably curved; your toe knuckles shouldn’t bunch painfully.
• Try them on in person for the best fit.

By Activity

• Hiking: can hold a water reservoir and available in different torso sizes for right fit
• Climbing: narrow profile, abrasion-resistant reinforcements
• Traveling: pockets or compartments for organization, carry-on size

Capacity

• Packs that hold 20L or less are best for runs, day hikes, mountain biking or short trips.
• Packs between 20–35L are great for longer day hikes and as a travel carry-on.
• Packs holding 35–50L work for extended trips and mountaineering or climbing that calls for extra equipment.

Fit

The right daypack fit offers:

• A size appropriate for your torso length (not your overall height)
• A comfortably snug grip on your hips