Black Diamond Polartec Clothing

Types

• Neutral: Comfort for long routes and days; great for beginners
• Moderate: Balances comfort and performance; ideal for gym climbing, sport routes and all-around versatility
• Aggressive: Sharply downturned toes for power and precision. Best for overhung routes, bouldering, single-pitch sport climbs.

Key features

• Shoe closure: Choose laces, straps or slip-ons
• Uppers: Synthetic (minimal stretch, consistent fit); lined leather (can stretch up to 1/2 size but keeps its shape); unlined leather (can stretch up to a full size for a custom fit)
• Last: The foot-shaped model around which a shoe is built. Most climbing shoes are slip-lasted (more sensitive); board-lasted are stiffer

Fit tips

• Shop later in the day—feet may swell
• Ensure toes lie flat or curve gently; avoid painful bunching
• Try on in person for best fit

Climb on!

Types of gaiters

• Hiking: lightweight, breathable; offer basic protection against rocks, grit and light rain or snow
• Mountaineering: heavy-duty protection, added insulation for harsher conditions, often waterproof/breathable
• Trail running: lightweight and compact to keep out debris, not usually waterproof

Gaiter height

• Over-ankle: best for dry conditions, trail-running, summer hiking
• Mid-calf: 8–12 inches tall, often water resistant but best for dry or moderately wet conditions

• Knee: 15–18 inches tall, best for deep snow, wet brush, harsh or rugged conditions

What size gaiter to buy? (U.S. sizes)

• Small: women's 6.5–8.5, men's 5–7
• Medium: women's 7.5–10.5, men's 6–9
• Large: women's 9.5–10.5, men's 8–11
• Extra large: men's 10–13

Key features to look for in hike clothing

• Moisture wicking: moves sweat to the outer surface while also drying quickly; that lets you break a sweat without feeling clammy or chilled
• Sun-protective fabric: Choose clothing with a UPF rating to protect yourself from harmful UV exposure; a higher rating means better sun protection
• Quick drying: materials that dry quickly keep you cool, comfortable and dry
• Insect repellent: treated with active ingredients to help keep ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs at bay

Hike clothing fabrics

• Merino wool: has fine fibers that make it soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, reasonably quick to dry and not prone to retaining odors.
• Polyester/nylon: Generally less expensive than merino wool, these synthetics excel at wicking sweat and drying fast; many incorporate recycled materials 

Dress in layers 

• Start with a base layer that wicks sweat off your skin; this includes underwear, a bra, hiking shirt and hiking pants
• Add a middle layer to retain body heat in colder conditions; this could be a fleece jacket, an insulated vest or puffy jacket
• An outer layer, like a rain jacket, shields you from wind and rain