If you decide to get into the sport of rock climbing (indoors or out), you need to invest in a lot of equipment. The first investment you make should be to hire a climbing instructor to help make a list of all of the essential rock climbing gear you need. Many of the most popular brands of climbing gear sell what are called rock climbing harness packages. They have a lot of advantages over buying everything separately or trying to make a rock climbing harness.

What's Not Included

There are a couple of things that won't be included in a rock climbing harness package. This is everything in a rock climbing harness package is a one size fits all deal. However, you are going to need a ventilated sport helmet and rock climbing shoes. You can't use any old shoes for rock climbing and you can't use any old rock climbing shoes. You need to invest in the best rock climbing shoes you can afford. If you can't afford them, then seriously reconsider rock climbing as a hobby.

What Is Included

Beginner's kits or rock climbing harness packages are offered by some of North America's most popular climbing gear brands, including Acme Climbing, Misty Mountain and Black Diamond. Special package sizes for kids are usually available. They include almost everything you need to get started (except for instructor, shoes and helmet).

Rock climbing harness packages include the body harness, the belay device, a series of hand holds called chocks, thick D-ring clips called locking carabiners and 10.5 millimeter dynamic rope. Some packages may also come with gloves and books. This is a lot of equipment, but you will probably get a lot more as you progress in the hobby.

Talk To Your Instructor

If you're not familiar with what good quality, safe rock climbing gear looks like, then there's no point buying any rock climbing harness package deal, no matter how inexpensive. Even if you have already bought it, have your instructor look everything over before you use it.

If your instructor finds damage or feels the package won't hold you weight, then just take the financial loss and chalk it up to experience. Your life depends on your rock climbing gear. If you can't return the package from where you bought it, your instructor may be able to buy some of the package items from you, since climbers are always on the lookout for equipment.