My bouldering outfit

When you’re starting out with climbing or bouldering it can be tough to know what to wear. I’ve tried and tested different options over the years, but here’s my favourite bouldering outfit.

I’ll tell you what size I wear for each item, so for reference I’m usually UK size 8 for tops and UK size 6 for bottoms.

Sweaty Betty Stamina Sports Bra

A sports bra is an important part of my bouldering outfit as it’s key to staying comfortable.

I avoided Sweaty Betty for a long while because I saw it as too expensive. However, I was finding cheaper brands went out of shape quickly so decided to give them a go.

I’ve had the Sweaty Betty Stamina Sports Bra in blue and grey for 2 years and they’re still going strong! So they turned out to be a good investment.

I’m a size 8/32C and I wear size Small.

You can order the Stamina Sports Bra from Sweaty Betty or Amazon.

Leggings

I always wear sports leggings for bouldering because I find them to be the most comfortable and flexible option.

My favourites are my Adidas Climalite tights as they are cool in summer.

I wear size 6.

You can order from Amazon.

BAM Vest Top

Bamboo is a sustainable fabric and BAM as a business is hugely environmentally conscious.

I have a couple of Origin Bamboo Vests from BAM. They are made from Bamboo and super soft. I like these ones as they are well-fitted, comfortable and breathable. They are longer than the average vest top so they don’t ride up when you move.

Size 8 fits me perfectly.

You can order Origin Bamboo vests from the BAM website.

Icebreaker T-shirt

I have a few Icebreaker t-shirts which are a staple of my climbing outfit throughout the year.

Made from Merino wool, they are thin and lightweight and help to regulate your body temperature.

Merino wool is a sustainable material and it feels wonderful against your skin.

I’m usually UK size 6-8 and I wear size XS.

You can order Icebreaker t-shirts from Amazon, Wiggle and Cotswold Outdoor.

Icebreaker Base Layer

When it’s really cold in the winter I swap my Icebreaker Coolmax T-shirt for a warmer base layer. The gym I most often climb in has no heating, so I get really good use out of a good quality merino base layer.

I really feel the cold so I have an Icebreaker 260 merino baselayer, which is the thickest one.

If you’re naturally a bit warmer than me you could go for a 150 or a 200.

These are made to be warm and lightweight and they are flexible and comfortable for a bouldering session.

I’m usually UK size 6-8 and I wear size XS.

You can order Icebreaker 260 Base Layer from Amazon, Wiggle and Cotswold Outdoor.

North Face Hoody

Some climbing gyms aren’t heated so it’s important to have layers to keep warm in the winter.

I love my North Face hoody, which is lightweight, warm and not to bulky. It’s fleece on the inside, so it’s warm and comfortable for climbing.

Mine is a size 6/XS.

You can order a North Face hoody from Amazon.

Scarpa Drago LV Climbing Shoes

I wear Scapa Drago LV Climbing shoes and I love them! Completely recommend for an advanced shoe for indoor climbing. The rubber is soft and sensitive.

I like that they’re ‘low volume’ rather than ‘women’s’. This mostly means they aren’t pink or turquoise!

I used to climb in Scarpa Vapor V WMN, which I loved whilst learning to climb. If you’re less experienced I recommend these instead.

For both pairs of climbing shoes I pretty much wear my normal shoe size. I’m a UK size 4, and my climbing shoes are EU 36.5, which fit like a glove.

You can order Scarpa Drago LV climbing shoes from Amazon.

Chalk Bag

I have a 3rd Rock Scrappy Doo upcycled chalk bag, which the perfect addition to my bouldering outfit.

These chalk bags are made with surplus fabric and trims, so each one is unique and sustainable.

The Scrappy Doo is the smallest one but they come in larger sizes too!

You can order a 3rd Rock Scrappy Doo upcycled chalk bag from the 3rd Rock website.

Liked this? You might like…

What to Wear Bouldering or Rock Climbing

What to expect your first time bouldering

Icebreaker 260 Tech review – Merino Base Layer

Join my email list and get adventure inspiration in your inbox!

Plus! Free guide: How to Get More Adventure in Your Life