Climbing Accessories 2026: The Practical Extras That Actually Make a Difference

1. Climbing Brushes

We got my first brush at a gym — everyone noticed how holds clogged with old chalk get weirdly slick, and a quick brush actually brings the texture back. Seemed like a minor detail at the time. Then I started climbing outdoors more and realised it matters out there too.

On busy sport crags, if a hold accumulates layers of chalk residue, that genuinely kills friction. And in some areas the culture around it is serious: in the Harz in Germany, chalk is technically allowed on the granite but the expectation is that you brush your marks off when you’re done — the dark rock makes white chalk very visible, and the local ethic is clear about it. At the sandstone sectors within the area, chalk isn’t permitted at all.

🐗 Boar Bristle Brush — For Outdoor Rock

The standard outdoor brush. Natural boar bristles are firm enough to dislodge chalk without scratching or polishing the rock surface — critical on soft sandstone where wire or nylon bristles would cause permanent damage. Sublime Climbing and Black Diamond both make excellent versions with comfortable hardwood handles.

2. Belay Glasses

Belay glasses are the accessory that people feel they don’t need until they try a pair, and then immediately order their own. The principle is straightforward: prismatic lenses bend light so that you can look straight ahead and see what is happening directly above you. Instead of craning your neck back at an uncomfortable angle for the duration of a pitch, you stand in a natural, relaxed position and watch your climber comfortably. The difference on a long belay or a hard projecting day is significant — both for your neck and for your quality of attention.

We picked up a cheap pair from Decathlon and it genuinely works. The optics are basic but functional, and for a first pair, it is a perfectly reasonable starting point. That said, there is a real difference in comfort and optical quality between a budget pair and a good one — particularly in peripheral vision and how well they stay on your face during movement.

The leading European brand is Y&Y Vertical (French), whose Plasfun and Classic ranges are the benchmark for climbing-specific design. Their glasses are available in multiple versions including clip-on models for prescription glasses wearers, and they are made with comfort for extended wear specifically in mind. Power’n’Play (German) also make excellent glasses — the brand behind many of the CU-branded glasses sold through European retailers, with particularly good customer service for spare parts and adjustments.

3. Non-Locking Keychain Carabiners

The humble non-locking keychain carabiner is one of the most overlooked utility items in climbing. It doesn’t cost much — and once you start using them you wonder how you managed without. The uses multiply the longer you think about it: clip your climbing shoes to the outside of your pack so they air out on the walk to the crag; attach a water bottle to your harness or your bag; hang a hat from a loop; organise your keys and so on.

Do not spend real money on these. The cheap, cheerful, colourful ones are perfectly adequate for non-safety-critical uses — you are not clipping your rope into these, you are clipping your flip flops. Buy a small bundle in different colours and distribute them liberally across your bags, your van, and your kit.

4. Rope Tarp

A rope tarp is exactly what it sounds like: a lightweight sheet of fabric, usually nylon or ripstop polyester with reinforced corner loops and a central clip point, that sits between your rope and the ground. The purpose is simple — to keep the rope off dirt, grit, and moisture that slowly infiltrates the fibres and ages the rope from the inside out. A clean rope runs more smoothly through a belay device, wears less quickly, and is easier to inspect for damage.

Some rope bags already include a built-in tarp — check our Best Climbing Backpacks guide for rope bags that double as tarps. If your bag does not include one, a standalone tarp is a cheap and worthwhile addition. On top of rope protection, a clean tarp doubles as a mat to sit on at the base of a crag or a surface to sort and rack gear.

5. 🖐️ Skin & Recovery

Chalk absorbs moisture and strips natural oils from the skin over time; rough edges on finger skin catch on holds and tear; dry, cracked tips hurt and reduce friction. Looking after your skin between sessions has been a constant need for us.

The right product depends entirely on your skin type. Some climbers have naturally dry skin and need a richer balm to rebuild between sessions. Others have skin that becomes slick too easily and benefit from drying agents like Antihydral in humid conditions. The only way to find out what works for you is to try different things. What follows are two brands with strong eco credentials and real climbing communities behind them.