Reddit bouldering or top rope for beginners. Any tips and recommendations is much appreciated.
Reddit bouldering or top rope for beginners 6. (I'm an experienced belayer including in lead, and not picky about your skill level) Eta: I'm in Chinatown but don't mind taking the bus/metro to Climbers use the term 'climbing' as a catch all, but non-climbers are more likely to be familiar with "rock climbing" (which usually means top roping), and boulders will use rock climbing to mean climbing with a rope to differentiate it from bouldering, although to a newbie it seems like bouldering is also be a form of rock climbing. So I don't mind spending a bit more for good quality. As a fellow beginner (I’ve been climbing for like 5 months) you are almost certainly doing many things wrong, like climbing with bent arms and just relying on brute strength to get through everything. 13 would have maybe v7-8 moves, but a 60 foot 13 would have v4-5 moves. 122 votes, 198 comments. Since you’re climbing higher and relying on a partner (or auto-belay system), it’s also more of a team activity, fostering trust and communication. (Climbing 10d onsite outside) I stopped route climbing in the gym and swapped to bouldering for training as having no consistent belay partner was causing large issues for consistency. None of the mountaineering courses require climbing experience, and they do not teach rock climbing. But bouldering? Dec 28, 2024 · Top-rope climbing uses a harness and rope for longer climbs, offering more security for those new to heights. 8 / 5a as of now) and am heading to Greece this fall to visit a friend. Build up slowly but aim for 3 times a week if possible. We top-rope and boulder, but the rental harnesses at our gym are terribly uncomfortable, so we thought we'd buy our own. We are really lucky to live in Boulder, Colorado for the incredible rock climbing opportunities. These are the best Rock Climbing Gear Packages for Sport, Trad, and Bouldering! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The only risk is if you don’t use the equipment properly, which is easy to avoid by checking before you start climbing. With climbing shoes there's no way I'll be able to buy online or just from recommendation. Jun 18, 2025 · The beauty is that neither style is complete without the other. All designed to help you gain the skills and confidence to start climbing on your own. Bouldering focuses on strength and problem-solving, while top-rope is great for endurance and technique. 8 It'll be thin and supple, but beefy and durable enough to last you a I also recently switched to top rope from bouldering due to a foot injury. Each offers distinct challenges and experiences tailored to different skill levels. The gym juggles the now-usual brand of offerings: birthday parties, youth camps, and adult classes, plus a multitude of top rope and lead routes alongside a small bouldering area. I have been climbing for about 2 years, but only bouldering and top roping indoors, and I have only ever used a typical ATC belay device, which I am very comfortable with. During warm up climbing really focus on some aspect of technique (eg. I guess it’s fun but for rehab purposes there are far better things to spend your time on. However, all of the people I have befriended from my gym so far are beginner to intermediate and none have climbed outside. By the time you've worn out your first rope you'll know what you want your second rope to do. This creates a continuous loop that protects the climber in case of a fall. Your first rope should be a 9. But what is it exactly and how can you start? A top rope is Climbing gyms may require you to pass a top rope belay test, even if you only plan on bouldering. I know people say just buy any basic, cheap one for starters but I want and am willing to invest on something that I could use for the next couple years. Boulderers who never touch a rope miss out on the flow and endurance that come from sustained climbing. Beginner Harness? My wife and I just started climbing in October, mostly indoor so far, and we have gotten to where we climb at the gym 3-4 times a week (with some outdoor bouldering mixed in). Outside of climbing i have a mostly regular gym/ exercise regimen. Feb 2, 2025 · There are significant differences between bouldering and top rope climbing from safety to health and cost. Get helmets. Learn about climbing styles, essential gear and how to climb indoors and outdoors. To embark on this journey, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental mechanics, gear requirements, and the pivotal step of obtaining top-rope certification in a climbing gym. Ive only been top rope climbing at the gym twice and didnt go for any hard routes, just wanted to get comfortable being higher up on the wall and got too tired before trying to go up the grades. Just started going to a bouldering gym. Hey fellow climbing humans, What climbing rope brands do you prefer? And what length did you go with for your first ever rope? I really want to get into lead climbing but so far I only have a harness. Bouldering grade VS Sport Grade (and what to expect) Stumbled across this article and found it quite useful/interesting as I'm a sport climber who basically uses bouldering as a tool to get stronger. Rent shoes, chalk bag, harness (if rope climbing). Bellevue has really good bouldering too but some of it is closed atm. Apr 25, 2025 · Rock climbing has exploded in popularity across New York City, New Rochelle, Long Island City, and beyond. 11 and lead 5. Today’s climbing gyms are modern, massive, and packed with adventure — offering bouldering, top-rope, and lead climbing walls for all skill levels. Wanting to hear some suggestions on what you all climb on. The Southie one has bouldering and top rope, I think. I was also a climbing instructor for 3 years. Oddly I have quite a few other pieces of equipment, like some quick draws that I won in a Vertical Life app comp, some cams, more quick draws and rope that was all gifted A couple of my thoughts. Feb 21, 2025 · Discover the differences between bouldering and top rope climbing, including safety, physical and mental challenge, cost, and social aspects. I was wondering how many times per week to target. climb a couple storeys high with rope and harness. but am completely new to indoor gym top roping. It's really hard to equate the grades of bouldering and rope because if a route is 30 feet, a 5. trueHi all! I'm from Canada, visiting Singapore for two days and would like to rock climb. Hangar 18 is great if you are close to one, aren't looking for early morning sessions, won't want to transition to rope climbing, and don't need other non-climbing gym amenities like treadmills or weights. I've been climbing for around 8 months and I was wondering what is the best climbing shoes for a beginner/intermediate climber. Ask around your local gym if you have questions specific to any particular route or problem Reply reply lanaishot • 4 days ago · Top beginner bouldering shoes reviewed for comfort and performance—discover which pairs will transform your climbing experience. Top roping is super safe because you’re attached to a rope. Get started rock climbing with this expert guide from REI. Climb consistently to build up a base level of forearm endurance and recovery. precise feet, straight arms, twisting in ect). I definitely won’t be doing highballs or anything, just some simple V3 Hi, new to top roping here but been indoor bouldering for about 2 years so I am well-versed in bouldering etiquette so things like no beta spraying, don’t overlap routes, don’t stand under someone’s fall area, wait your turn and respect who’s queued up first, etc. Vertical world's bouldering is just okay imo. Hey I’m a new climber and I was wondering if people had some wisdom to share and what you wish you knew when you started… Nov 10, 2024 · Here's how: Don't be shy to ask for beta (that's climbing-speak for tips on how to do a problem) Join gym sessions for beginners Follow local climbing groups on social media Strike up conversations - "Hey, nice send!" is a great ice breaker Final Thoughts (From One Climber to Another) Look, starting anything new can be scary. 10. Also surprisingly durable for a high performance shoe, lasted 8 months before I resoled them could have probably pushed it another month or 2. Jul 5, 2023 · For gym climbing, top rope, sport climbing, and single-pitch trad climbing scenarios, a haul loop is unnecessary. Bouldering and top roping are two widely enjoyed climbing styles that appeal to enthusiasts for various reasons. Endurance built from rope climbing will help teach you and your muscles how to relax and recover for prolonged Bouldering sessions, and power from Bouldering may come in handy for harder rope routes. Im personally a fan on the camp energy harness, its pretty comfy, cheap, lightweight, and has a lot of adjustment points. Bouldering improves my ability to think about how to get through a crux on ropes. Been climbing for almost 4 years. Most beginner's at my gym use the maxim equinox because its the cheapest rope that the local MEC carries. Different climbing venues or areas lend themselves to different types of climbing. Being a strong climber doesn’t just mean putting on as much muscle as possible, but rather maximizing your strength while minimizing your body weight. This is purely speaking from a sports perspective but beginner = able to top rope belay, climb top rope, intermediate = lead / clean / multipitch, expert = long multi pitches/mixed + trad/big wall Best climbing shoes for beginners?? I'm looking to buy a good pair of climbing shoes for beginners! Here's all the information that may (or may not) be helpful: I've been climbing for 4 weeks and am climbing 5. So this is a bit of an expansion from an answer in the Friday new climber thread- I thought I'd put this together in a little more depth and give people the chance to ask questions and give feedback. Although technique is especially important for bouldering, it does not mean it is not useful in rope climbing; Rope climbing simply places a heavier emphasis on endurance. So it makes sense to start climbing in certain areas first. Top-ropers who skip the bouldering area often lack the explosive power needed when routes get steep or the holds get small. They have one in South Boston and one in Dedham. Recently we went to Boulder+ In bouldering, it’s no surprise that a leaner build is generally favored - just look at all the top climbers. Dedicated to increasing all our knowledge about how to better improve at our sport. Some of them teach pitched climbing on snow and ice, short pitching and roping on rock, and general rock and rope skills, but nowhere does it seem like climbing is necessary. You're in the right place, as we’ve dissected everything you need to know to kickstart your top-rope climbing I do top rope as well as bouldering and hope to someday do lead climbing, so I might get a harness rather than using a rental and I will need one of things progress outside. Should you wait for the soreness to be over to climb For a beginner I would recommend getting the cheapest rope that's climbing rated you can find. This will eliminate the need for nylon slings, prusik cord, and a PAS. It is a popular form of rock climbing that is relatively easy and fun way to get into climbing. Anyways, I'm a female in my early twenties, and I started bouldering in September 2014. Mar 17, 2023 · Is bouldering harder than roped climbing? Bouldering is much harder than top roping A casual climber, who has gone top-roping a couple of times, is going to get humbled hard if they visit a bouldering gym. I also didnt find trying beginner routes inspiring so I waited till everything was in place before I started bouldering again Hey guys, I have been bouldering for 3 months and just starting climbing top rope. This means you might have to climb with slightly sore Hey I’m knowledgeable about the area (my local climbing area) and an experienced outdoor sport/trad climber, PM me if you would like someone to show you around and teach outdoor climbing basics. Gyms may offer a day pass, or may require booking ahead for a 2-3 hour session. I am just starting to indoor bouldering. . Or you can boulder (no ropes, no harness, low climbs, land on crash pads). Thinking about switching to top-rope climbing from bouldering, any advice for a beginner-intermediate boulderer? Hey there r/climbing! I've been discussing this conundrum with climbing friends offline but I'd love some impartial advice from you people. I've been bouldering for the past 3/4 months and I'm at a level where I can do most V4 problems at my gym. And are there any outdoor climbs you'd recommend for beginners in the Washington/Seattle area? Also I have questions about the difference between top rope climbing and lead climbing. The people I know who progress pretty quickly at lower grades on rope split time between bouldering and roped climbing-- progressively shifting towards more bouldering as a percentage of training as their roped climbing grades have gone up. At the end of the day, you're climbing for your own satisfaction and sense of achievement, so it's really up to you. 13 votes, 64 comments. May 15, 2025 · Top-rope is typically less physically intense than bouldering but requires more stamina. If you tell yourself from the jump that you’re going to be scared - you will be. For context, I’ve been climbing for over 20 years since I was a child and have never injured myself climbing. I’ve been climbing about 5 years but sporadically (took a full year off for the pandemic + months off throughout for various injuries). What were the mistakes you made as a beginner? Small, big, form, etiquette? Hopefully it's not all horror stories of falling poorly! Dec 4, 2022 · Top rope climbing is one of the safest styles, making it perfect for beginners. I am looking to pick up the sport and buying some shoes. Should i be going more or less often in order to make better progress in terms of skill and strength? The Watertown (and I think Stoneham) CRG has bouldering, top rope, lead, and auto-belay too! Rock Spot is also a great one too. In addition, a good stretching and warm up routine will also probably help. Just did my first top rope solo, would love to get some feedback on the system I used. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I am very interested in climbing outside. I have been bouldering for the last two months and just started completing a few v3s, although mostly a v2 climber. The cost for the test is about $10. My biggest concern is to avoid overuse injury, as my forearms muscles/tendons are currently sore for a good 4 days after a session. Better to bring a friend for this. Outdoors is rock/projects. I started bouldering about a month ago. Don’t forget to check out our climbing rope deals. You will get a little intro lesson on how to tie in to the rope and how to belay. I've been bouldering for a while now and I've finally decided to try doing some top rope. The highest grade I completed was a 5. The belayer manages the slack in the rope, ensuring the climber's safety throughout the ascent. God damn it was so much fun. You won't be discerning enough to tell the difference between it and a tip top Petzl 8mm. The solution is still my favorite sport climbing shoe that I have tried, precise and makes me feel confident on even the smallest feet. Good routes that are changed frequently; decent area for climbing routes and a great bouldering area. Most top ropers will climb a route and if they fall off, hop right back on (without being lowered to the floor) and continue their ascend as if nothing happened. Like what type of rope to get and what not. Edit: I appreciate all the advice and replies! I'm feel more confident Jul 29, 2025 · We tested 30 top-rated climbing shoes in the gym, crag, and bouldering to find the best rock climbing shoes for beginners and mid-level climbers, with winners from La Sportiva, Five Ten, Black Diamond and Evolv Start climbing, you'll figure out very quickly what your skill level is. At On the Rocks, we offer a variety of climbing classes that provide the gear you need to help you get started with rock climbing. I've been bouldering outside before and recently did rope climbing outside for the first time in the Red. Any recommendations? Around 6 months too. I’ll be going on a bouldering trip this summer and I’ve been shopping around for crash pads. I really don't know anything about climbing shoes so anything will be helpful. The gym you sign up for will grade their problems and you'll settle into a range where you know which grade you can do easily and which is more of a challenge or too difficult to try. Is top rope climbing just like belaying or is it different somehow? Sorry if any of these questions seem stupid or obvious. Go as high as you normally would on bouldering and try to take a few extra steps from there concentrating on the wall, your I am new to bouldering and don't have much calisthenics strength, and was wondering if taking those beginners courses are absolutely recommended before I go to my first drop-in? I want to go tomorrow to a place but they only offer these courses on the weekends, so I don't want to embarrass myself doing something abnormal. From beginner-friendly climbs to pro-level routes, these gyms are also equipped with fitness classes, yoga, personal training, saunas, co Jan 4, 2024 · Top rope climbing is a beginner-friendly style of climbing where the rope runs from the climber's harness up to an anchor system at the top of the route and back down to the belayer on the ground. I was thinking of spending October/November somewhere to essentially just climb all day every day. Oct 7, 2025 · We tested 27 of the best climbing shoes on boulder problems, sport climbs, and trad routes—and then narrowed it down to 15 top-rated pairs. It was rough for a while, and I was getting super frustrated because I had to rest even on easy 5. 00. New shoes aren't comfortable like rented shoes which were broken in by 100+ of feet. g. For top roping / lead climbing Vertical world Seattle and Edgeworks Bellevue are my two favorites because the walls are pretty tall and the setting is really good. ♥️ Beginner climbing in Yosemite? I'm very new to climbing, and don't do it often enough, but I'm trying to get to the gym and outside more often. I prefer top-rope over bouldering and currently am not planning to ever climb outdoors. Link to the subreddit chat If you are interested in checking out a subreddit purely about rock climbing without home walls or indoor gyms, head over to /r/RockClimbing Ask away! Apr 4, 2025 · We tested 13 climbing ropes from Sterling, Petzl, Edelrid, Mammut, and others to find the best options for you. For more of our top climbing gear recommendations, check out the Best Climbing Ropes. Is top roping something that we can learn on our own (with the aid of online videos and books/guides) without somebody more experienced to go with us? I've talked to a few experienced climbers at my gym and they say as long as I have basic gear Indoor climbing is typically regarded as practice, and there's a number of different things to can do to make a route easier or harder. Cordless and proud. This article will help you map your progression to improve your skills development and focus your efforts. Reddit's rock climbing training community. Great for: Climbers who enjoy longer routes and heights Beginners looking for a supportive, secure experience Jun 1, 2025 · Discover the differences between bouldering and top rope climbing, including pros, cons, and tips for beginners to choose the right path. I can typically go for about 1. Any tips and recommendations is much appreciated. To be honest beginner top roping is practically useless when it comes to rebuilding strength. I’ve mostly focused on bouldering this year but in the past have focused on sport climbing. Already had climbed a few time occasionally, but now I bought my first pair of shoes and plan on going more regularly. I know there’s a few more in the area, but those are my top choices!! We want to do some small top rope bolted sports climbing, hiking, and bike cruising in the valley. For bouldering regulars, which gym (s) would you recommend for beginners to start getting into the hobby? Especially with routes that might be friendlier for less fit, and/or heavier folks. 8s. That’s why bouldering is more approachable to beginners. I will recommend Crag Daddy by Patagonia Get a 6mm or bigger accessory cord and learn how to tie a quad anchor, purcell-prusik, and auto block. Kalymnos seems to be the biggest climbing spot in Greece, is it a good place for a beginner to practice and develop? 3 times a week in the gym, one full day outside on weekends for a total of 4 days. I'm looking to get into climbing, and was wondering if anyone could recommend good gyms around Boston and the Greater Boston Area? I don't know anyone else who climbs, so I'm limited to gyms that have good bouldering or autobelays, at least for now! Im decently close to Metrorock Everett, but Ive heard it's more top ropes, and im worried I won't get much out of it as a solo climber. Of course there are other ways to build power and endurance if you find you actually dislike one school or the other. Regarding rope climbing, if the gym does not have any self-belay system than you might need a partner and you should start learning basic safety procedures for lead or top-rope climbing belaying. However, I am looking to get into lead climbing and potentially start going outside once I'm comfortable with the basics of lead (and when New England winter allows it lol). It’s easier to climb higher when you trust your belayer, but it’s also a mind thing. How often do you climb? I've found that going once a week 10d is a common plateau and going 3 times a week 11b is a common plateau. Some context: my friends and I have had some good days at Boulder Movement, where all of us could complete a decent number of routes up to middling difficulties (10 to 15ish). Very comfortable) or Finale. e. Get some pear shape Jul 24, 2025 · We’ve pulled together our top suggestions for the best climbing ropes for beginners, along with your essential buying guide so you know exactly what to look for when purchasing your first rope. Any tips for outdoor climbing? Im pretty Feb 21, 2025 · When it comes to indoor climbing gyms, Seattle’s Vertical World launched the concept in 1987, attaching holds with glue to vertical pieces of plywood. I recently went top roping with a few people that I met at the gym, who taught me the basics e. At this point I’m projecting V5/V6 (have yet to send a V6) and generally top rope 5. Hey y’all, hope your days are going awesome. Do NOT just start climbing/setting up top ropes where other people are??? A small enough group (about 4) were getting ready to show someone trad for the first time (seconding for this one but plan was to lead it after since they'd know the route a bit) and another group of 10 people just set an anchor and threw a rope down after seeing us at For me, with climbing shoes, there's no substitute to going to a store and trying on different models and different sizes. I have been 4 times to this indoor gym and used only rentals. Read the book "Climbing Anchors" by John Long Get a rope backpack because it's going to be a lot more comfortable. 5-3 hours on training days, 6-8 hours outside (but not a ton more actual climbing time) V6 short project, V7 occasionally, V8-V9 limit projects. Shoe recommendations for beginner/intermediate top rope climbing. In this article we explain the pros and cons of each! May 24, 2023 · Understanding Top Rope Climbing Top rope climbing is a style of climbing where the climber ascends a route with a rope anchored at the top, which is then secured to a belayer on the ground. Decent enough amount of self-belay routes, which I have found were a nice way to get my kids into enjoying the climbing (and learning to check harness as the clip in, etc (of course I double-check)). Background- 10 years of climbing outdoors, two years climbing retail, and I'm an AMGA guide. It can be ridiculous at times, but my friends and I sometimes take new people climbing outdoors and do easy climbs on top rope keeping hands at or below nipple level. Mostly have done bouldering and thinking about doing some top roping and maybe lead climbing. It is possible to strength your way through many problems, but some problems are so beta intensive that technique will play a larger role in reaching the top. Oct 15, 2024 · Types of Climbing: Top Rope, Lead, and Bouldering Number of Problems Up: ~120 Boulder Problems and ~90 Routes Busiest Times: Tuesday to Thursday from 5-8 PM, Saturday Morning Training Boards: Moon Board, Campus Board If you’re mainly a sport or trad climber, Red Rock Climbing Center (or R2C2 to locals) is your best option in the city. Which gym do you recommend? If you would like to come climb with me today or tomorrow, send me a message! I prefer top rope but I'm open to bouldering as well. May 5, 2025 · Top-rope climbing, a popular choice for recreational climbers, offers a safer alternative to lead climbing. I was with some friends that are more experienced and more in shape than me, and I mostly top roped. I started out on top rope and moved to bouldering. 382K subscribers in the bouldering community. 2. History of Previous Bouldering Advice Threads History of helpful and quality Self Posts on this subreddit. But once I get to fist jams I struggle a lot. Do whatever is more fun for you though, having more fun will bring you the most satisfaction in climbing. This style of climbing is often favored by beginners due to its enhanced safety measures and the guidance You should definitely do both. I've really enjoyed the top roping and so was thinking of doing a beginners top roping course. I'm also How do I improve my technique? bouldering for about 4 weeks slowly working my way up, but I feel like I’m learning some bad habits that won’t help me in the long run, plus can’t wait to buy shoes. I started splitting my time between top rope and bouldering at my gym. Generally if you go to a climbing store you can have the staff tie you in so you can feel how comfortable the harnesses are you actually put weight on the straps Reddit's rock climbing training community. I'm buying a harness this weekend but was curious as to which is the best one. When people think of climbing, top roping is the kind of rock climbing commonly imagined by most people. Even those who don't care at all about performance on boulders. This beginner's guide to top rope informs you with all you need to get started climbing top rope. Reddit is great for specific questions but any suggestions on a resource that helps you graduate your knowledge in steps? If you're just getting started, this is a great video to watch that will give you a full fundamental overview and training for both top rope climbing and bouldering. ( if anyone knows any good subreddits to ask what shoes to buy, let me know) I’m pretty new to climbing (can top rope 5. Choose from topics like top rope climbing and belaying to bouldering, movement and technique. Hey guys. I’m a gym climber and have no experience whatsoever in outdoor bouldering, so I’m not sure what to look for, the dimensions that I might need, how many pads I’ll need, etc. Hello! As the title states I am a beginner to crack climbing specifically (have been bouldering/top rope for awhile) I have only been using a wooden crack trainer at the gym and I am getting much better at everything that is like thin hands up to about cupped hands. 8 routes. tying figure of 8 knot, stop knot, belaying etc. 5 - 2 hours before exhaustion and ripped skin makes me stop. Feb 8, 2020 · Check Out Our List of The Best Climbing Starter Kits. Check with the gym at least a week ahead in case reservations are needed. Roped climbing in any form takes more equipment- harness, rope, helmet, belay device and eventually QuickDraws and stuff to make anchors if you are going to sport or top rope outside. Also, you probably aren’t resting enough between attempts. I’ve been going about once a week to allow myself to recover before going again. I have done some research and couldn’t settle between Tarantulace (tried it and it fits amazing. In climbing you need a good balance of everything. From the start, you can top-rope, i. I am wondering for people who started climbing indoors as an adult, how did you transition to climbing outside? It seems that outdoor climbers have My gf and I have been climbing (mostly indoors) about a month and a half and I've decided I want to buy some top roping gear for outdoors climbing. Dec 5, 2024 · Explore the key differences between bouldering and top roping, including their setups, safety, skill development, and community aspects. But if you plan on tackling El Cap in your new harness, you’ll want a haul loop on your harness. Try and translate this to harder climbs Dec 14, 2023 · As a beginner rock climbing, you can complete top rope climbing and bouldering indoors or outdoors. wdwbgqg tsolnk puuesd zopwff bpkpny ltmjf mhfkaue prbzn ktqnj gnvlm kir nahtod bmrmbe zurb mleaadi