Looking for gift ideas for climbers that skip the gear? You’re in the right place. No matter what you pick for the climber in your life, they’ll probably love it, but if you want a little help narrowing it down, this guide is full of gifts that leave the gear out of it. Most climbers already own the gear they need, or they’re picky about the exact brands they’ll use, so a non-gear gift is often the safer bet and still something they’ll actually reach for.
To make it easier, I’ve split the guide into a few sections:
- Overall Best Gifts for Climbers
- Gifts Climbers Can Wear
- Gifts Climbers Can Read
- Gifts Climbers Can Look At
1. Acrylic Mug
If you don’t want to spend a ton and you still want to get them something they’ll enjoy at home or out at the crag, take a look at this nicely designed acrylic mug.
Acrylic mugs are great because you can drop one off the top of the boulder and it won’t break. This one comes from REI, so you know it’s made with solid materials.
Check the price from REI here.
The Climbing Bible
Check the price from Amazon here.
This is one your climber will appreciate, and it’ll help them get better on the wall too.
The Climbing Bible is one of the newer books for climbers who want to work on their technique along with their physical and mental strength. Plenty of climbing coaches love it and recommend it to their students.
Indoor Climbing Rocks! Send Edition
T-shirts are usually a safe bet for climbers. We’re always getting chalk on them and they get grubby from all the falling we do. This one works for just about any climber since it shows off that indoor climbing is fun. I may be a little biased since it’s a Send Edition exclusive shirt.
This unisex shirt comes in a bunch of colors, so you can grab a version that matches their style.
Check the price from Spreadshirt here.
Black Diamond Notion Pants
See color options and current pricing from Black Diamond here.
These pants are amazing. I got them for bouldering but I wear them everywhere, hiking, grocery shopping, going out with friends, you name it. I liked my first pair so much that I bought them in 3 other colors. That’s how much I like these pants.
If you’re shopping for clothes and want a few more ideas, our guide on what to wear while bouldering is a good place to start.
Black Diamond Session Approach Shoe
See the current price and color options from Black Diamond here.
I love these shoes. They’re super light, so you barely notice you’re wearing them. The heel folds down so you can slip them on and off while you’re watching a friend climb.
Women’s Terradora II Waterproof Boot
See the current price from KEEN Footwear here.
These boots aren’t just waterproof. The footbeds are infused with probiotic technology that naturally breaks down the odor in sweat without heavy metals or hazardous chemicals. They come in several colors and they’re super cute too.
Top Recommendation: Best book for any-level cimber
77 Drills to Help You Climb Better
Perfect for any level climber who wants to improve, this book makes a great gift.
It’s the only book out there dedicated solely to drills and exercises climbers can use to train on the wall. On top of that, it packs in more than double the number of drills you’ll find in the most common climbing books from the last decade.
Buy it on Amazon Here.
If the climber on your list wants to keep getting better long after the holidays, point them toward the free Send Edition newsletter. It drops a short climbing drill in their inbox every week, and each one only takes about 15 minutes to run through. It pairs nicely with any of the books on this list and it doesn’t cost a thing.
The Impossible Climb (NYT Best Seller)
See current pricing from REI here.
Get it from Audible here.
The Impossible Climb isn’t about bouldering, but anyone who climbs would probably love it. I’m still listening to it on Audible so I don’t know how it ends, but it’s been a great listen and I highly recommend it.
A lot of people have already seen Free Solo and I was worried this book would just cover the same ground when I first downloaded it, but it isn’t even close. It’s a mix of entertainment and history that opened my eyes to how complex climbing culture really is.
The Impossible Climb gives you background on climbing culture and history that you won’t get anywhere else.
Climbing Training Book for Mental Training
See current pricing from Amazon here.
Vertical Mind was a fantastic book. I had no idea how much psychology goes into climbing, especially bouldering.
With bouldering, the fear of falling is right there, since you’re going to hit the ground if you come off. To protect you from that fall, your mind creates fear, and that fear can limit your ability to keep climbing or to commit to big moves.
This book walks you through how to spot those fears along with a lot of the other mental sides of climbing, and how to work through them using drills and actionable steps.
Climbing Journal
There are two main reasons climbers and boulderers keep a journal. To remember the beta (each move) of their project, or to track their progress so they can get better faster.
Posters
No matter what space they spend the most time in, a poster can be the perfect addition, something they get to enjoy looking at every day.
Stickers and Pins
Stickers are always a go-to for climbers since they’re a great way to decorate water bottles and gear. Here are a few to get your mind going on all the fun stickers and pins out there for climbers.
More gift ideas for climbers
Those are 21 non-gear gift ideas for climbers, and any one of them makes a thoughtful pick. If the climber on your list would actually rather have gear, our 29 gifts for climbers guide covers bouldering, sport, trad, indoor, budget picks, and stocking stuffers. And if you want something a little more sustainable, take a look at our eco-friendly gifts for climbers guide too.
More Buyer’s Guides:
- The Top 5 Crash Pads For Bouldering: How To Decide Which Is Best
- Diy Hangboard With Jugs And Edges For Less Than $15
- 6 Of The Best Belay Devices For Beginner Climbers
- The Best 11 Climbing Shoes Under $100
- Climbing Chalk: Chunky Vs. Fine
- The Best Chalk For Climbing And Bouldering
- Rock Climbing Starter Kits For Beginners Compared
- Liquid Chalk Vs. Dry Chalk For Bouldering (Hint: Dry Chalk Is Better)
- Top 5 Gear You Need In Your Climbing Pack For The Best Experience
- What To Wear While Bouldering
- Should You Upgrade To An Assisted-Braking Belay Device?
- Everything You Need To Know About Climbing Chalk
- 37 Things Serious Climbers Bring With Them To The Mountains
- Clothing For Climbing In The Gym – What Should You Wear?
- Can You Climb Without Chalk?
- How Tight Climbing Shoes Should Fit For The Best Performance
- Harnesses For Rappeling
- My Favorite Harness For Climbing
- What You Should Wear While Climbing
- What Affects How Climbing Shoes Fit?
- How To Clean Your Grigri
- How To Care For Your Climbing Rope
Frequently asked questions
What are good gift ideas for climbers that aren’t gear?
Since most climbers already own their gear or are picky about it, non-gear gifts are a safe bet. Think an acrylic mug you can drop off a boulder, a climbing t-shirt or hoodie, a good climbing book, a journal for tracking beta and progress, or posters, stickers, and pins to decorate their space and gear.
What’s a good book to give a climber?
A few from this guide stand out. 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better works for any level and is packed with on-the-wall drills. The Climbing Bible covers technique plus physical and mental training, Vertical Mind digs into the mental side of climbing, and The Impossible Climb is a great read for anyone who loves climbing stories.
What do you get a boulderer who already has all the gear?
Go non-gear. Apparel like the Black Diamond Notion pants or a climbing tee, comfy approach shoes or boots for the walk in, a climbing journal, or wall decor like posters and pins are all things a well-stocked boulderer probably doesn’t have yet.
What’s a budget-friendly gift for a climber?
Stickers and pins are hard to beat on a budget, and they’re easy to add to water bottles and gear. An acrylic camp mug is another affordable option they’ll use at home or out at the crag.
