Page 2 of Black Diamond Women's Clothing

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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

Climb on!

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

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)