Climbing

Best Climbing Gear and Where to Buy It in the UK: A Practical Guide

Why choosing the right climbing gear matters

Picking the right climbing kit is a bit like picking the right shoes for a long walk — get it wrong and the trip turns into a headache. The right rope, shoes, harness, and winter traction can keep you safer, more comfortable, and enable you to push your limits. In the UK, varied terrain — from gritstone edges to frozen winter gullies — demands gear that’s fit for purpose. This guide helps you find where to buy quality climbing equipment, highlights specialist and surprising retailers, and gives practical tips so you don’t end up buying gear you won’t use.

Specialist and alternative stores in the UK

Not every good climbing item is found at the obvious mountain shops. Some retailers focus on niche items that climbers need for specific conditions. Below are a mix of specialist climbing retailers and alternative shops that stock useful accessories.

RunningXpert — winter traction and footwear accessories

RunningXpert might sound like a runner’s store, but it stocks winter traction accessories that climbers and hill walkers use too. Products like the Whistler Ice Pig Cover are designed to add bite to footwear on icy trails and frozen approaches. These are useful as a lightweight emergency option for scrambling and short icy sections, and they’re easy to stash in a pack when the weather turns. If you’re doing mixed winter routes and want a simple traction aid for approaches, stores like this are worth checking.

Expert Electrical — hardware, repairs and small parts

At first glance Expert Electrical seems out of place on a climbing list, but small hardware supplies are essential for kit maintenance. Items such as Unicrimp brass setscrews, listed in bulk packs, are the kind of shop-bought part useful for repairing top-lock buckles, shoe hardware, or workshop tweaks to quickdraws and hardware racks. When you prefer to fix a worn bit of kit rather than throw it away, local electrical and hardware suppliers can save you money and time.

Ellis Brigham — traditional climbing specialist

Ellis Brigham is one of the UK’s long-standing climbing specialists, offering an extensive range of harnesses, shoes, ropes and winter gear. They combine bricks-and-mortar fitting services with online ranges, making them a great stop for first-time buyers who want expert advice and for seasoned climbers hunting premium brands and technical kit.

Cotswold Outdoor and GO Outdoors — wide ranges and seasonal deals

For a broad selection and value, stores like Cotswold Outdoor and GO Outdoors stock everything from climbing shoes and helmets to seasonal ice tools and crampons. They tend to have strong sales and multi-brand choices, which is handy if you’re comparing multiple items or building a kit list on a budget. Many of these retailers also carry insulated layers and waterproofs for alpine-style weekends.

Decathlon UK and Mountain Warehouse — budget-friendly basics

If you’re starting out or want decent kit without breaking the bank, Decathlon and Mountain Warehouse offer great entry-level climbing and mountaineering items. Decathlon’s in-house brands often balance price and performance, while Mountain Warehouse is a solid option for warm layers, shells, and basic harnesses for casual climbing and walking.

Climbing footwear: shoes, boots and ice grips

Shoes are where your climbing experience begins — too soft and you slip, too stiff and you lose sensitivity. Rock shoes, approach shoes, and mountaineering boots each serve different purposes. Picking the right footwear is like choosing the right tool for a job: the wrong pick makes progress slow and painful.

Rock shoes: fit, stiffness and rubber

Rock shoes should fit snugly without making your toes numb. Brands vary in last, stiffness, and rubber stickiness. Softer shoes help with smearing on slabby routes; stiffer shoes give power on small edges. If possible, try several pairs and climb a bit in the shop. Remember that sizing differs between brands — one company’s size 9 might feel like another’s 8.

Approach shoes and mountaineering boots

Approach shoes are the bridge between hiking boots and rock shoes. They have sticky rubber for scrambling and more comfort for long walks in. For winter ascents and mixed routes you’ll want mountaineering boots that accept crampons and provide insulation. When reading specs, look at features like crampon compatibility and ankle support; these are measured in inches for dimensions such as sole thickness and shaft height, not in metric.

Winter traction: ice pig covers, crampons and microspikes

There’s a spectrum of traction options: lightweight microspikes for icy paths, semi-rigid crampons for steep mixed ground, and technical crampons for vertical ice. The Whistler Ice Pig Cover and similar products are lightweight microspike-style covers with metal studs — ideal for icy approaches and short stretches where a full crampon feels overkill. For steeper routes you’ll need crampons that attach securely to mountaineering boots and have front points for plunge-stepping and ice climbing.

Protection equipment: harnesses, helmets, carabiners, ropes

Protection gear is where safety meets simplicity. A harness should fit comfortably around your waist and legs, a helmet should sit snug without rocking, and carabiners should be strong enough for the forces involved. A good rule: buy the best harness and helmet you can afford, because they wear the responsibility of your life.

Choosing a harness

Look for a harness with adjustable leg loops if you climb in cold weather (so you can fit it over layers). Padding, gear loop layout, and weight matter too. Harnesses are measured by waist size in inches — choose the size that sits comfortably above your hip bones. Try it on with the gear you typically carry to ensure no rubbing or pinching.

Rope selection: dynamic ropes and length

Most sport and trad routes use ropes that are roughly 197 feet long (often known as 60 meters in non-imperial terms). If you’re climbing long routes or want extra length for abseils, look for ropes in the 197–262 foot range. Dynamic ropes absorb falls; be mindful of rope diameter, which affects handling and durability. For gym and single-pitch use, a thinner rope is lighter and easier to clip; for harsher conditions, choose a thicker, tougher rope.

Ice climbing and winter kit: tools, crampons, warm layers

Winter climbing demands more than rock kit. Ice tools, technical crampons, insulated boots, and warm layering systems are essential. Think of your winter kit as a small, well-organized toolbox that you can rely on when the weather closes in.

Ice tools and front-pointing technique

Ice tools come in many shapes — some for mixed climbing with aggressive picks and curved shafts, others for steeper pure ice. Matching tool type to your intended climbing style is crucial. Training on a low-angle ice and gradually practicing dry-tooling skills will help you use technical tools safely and with confidence.

Layering for cold weather routes

Layering is an art. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating mid-layer, and finish with a waterproof, breathable shell. For hands and feet, invest in mitts or gloves with dexterity and high-quality socks designed for cold conditions. When you’re stationary on belays in high winds, a lightweight insulated jacket that compresses into a pocket is a game changer.

Repair parts, hardware and workshop supplies

Maintaining gear extends life and can save money. Replacement screws, stitching, buckles, and small parts are often the missing piece between a tossed item and another season of use. Retailers like Expert Electrical supplying Unicrimp brass setscrews in bulk are an example of how non-climbing shops can serve climbers’ repair needs.

Common repairs climbers handle themselves

Replacing a worn buckle, reattaching a loose quickdraw sling, or swapping out a screw on a shoe plate are all jobs you can do if you have the right parts and basic tools. Keep a small repair kit in your garage: spare screws in sizes measured by inches, a needle and strong thread for PSIs and slings, and a set of hex keys for carabiners and belay devices.

How to compare prices and find deals in the UK

Comparing gear is like comparing ingredients for a recipe: quality matters, but so does price. Use price comparison sites and check both specialist retailers and general outdoor chains. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales, previous-season models, and bundle deals. Remember that sometimes paying a little more for a trusted brand saves money in the long run because the gear lasts longer.

When to buy new versus used

Some items are safe to buy used — ropes under careful inspection, helmets with minimal impact history, and metal hardware that passes a visual check. Soft goods like harnesses and slings should be bought new or from trusted sources because fabric ages and can weaken. When in doubt, opt for new on items that carry life-safety risk.

Where to try before you buy — fitting and demo services

Trying on harnesses and shoes, or demoing ice tools and crampons, is invaluable. Many Ellis Brigham and Cotswold Outdoor shops offer in-store fitting and knowledgeable staff. Some stores also host demo days where you can test gear on real rock or snow. It’s a smart way to avoid buyer’s regret — you’ll know instantly if a shoe pinches or a harness sits right.

Safety checks and maintenance tips

Regular inspection keeps you climbing. Check harness stitching, look for deep cuts in ropes, and examine carabiners for sharp grooves. Clean gear after salty or grimy conditions and store equipment out of direct sunlight and away from chemicals. Treat your gear like a trusted companion — a little care prolongs its life and keeps you safer on the rock.

Final shopping checklist before you head out

Before you buy, ask yourself: Is this item suited to the routes I climb? Does it fit well with the rest of my kit? Can it be repaired or upgraded? Check specifications in imperial units where listed — rope length, boot shaft height, and weight in pounds — so you know exactly what you’re getting. And remember, a good shop will help you match the gear to your goals.

Whether you’re shopping at niche retailers like RunningXpert for winter traction, picking up repair parts from Expert Electrical, or visiting traditional climbing stores for a full kit build, the UK market offers options for every budget and need. Smart buying, regular maintenance, and choosing the right tool for the job will keep your climbing adventures safe and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Climbing gear is an investment in safety and performance. From winter extras like ice pig covers sold by stores such as RunningXpert, to basic repair parts available at places like Expert Electrical, the UK has a surprisingly broad range of suppliers. Combine specialist retailers, outdoor chains, and savvy second-hand choices, and you’ll build a kit that supports your climbing goals without wasting money. Test gear where possible, prioritize safety items, and treat your equipment with care — then the crag will feel more like a playground and less like a gamble.