Published on June 14, 2026 03:49 am
I’m at the extreme point of the path I’m working on, reaching for a thin crimp with my right hand. I manage to stick three toes on it and slowly move my left foot up. “Mom, you’re too high!” I’m listening from below.
My hips move too far away from the wall, my center of gravity shifts and my fingers slip. But it doesn’t matter. Hanging from the rope, I am smiling at my four-year-old son and my climbing partner for the last decade. I don’t care that I’m struggling at a grade lower than the one I once climbed. I don’t care that I’m only on my fourth attempt and my arms are already pumped. I don’t even care that we’re in an indoor gym instead of outdoors. What matters is that, after five years away, I’m climbing again.
I’ve never been a particularly skilled climber, but I’ve loved the sport for a long time. I first got into it at a small bouldering gym in Boston and in the rocks along the East Coast. I kept climbing, landing everywhere from Boulder, Colorado to New Zealand, while pursuing different jobs and adventures. When I finally settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I still live today, I made my first true friends at the climbing gym and spent weekends on local rocks with coworkers. Even today, I initially associated with most of my close friends while camping at nearby mountaineering sites, smeared with chalk and mud.
But when I got pregnant in 2021, I stopped suddenly. I was tired and nauseous, and probably a little risk averse. I swore I’d come back after giving birth, but bottles and diapers meant nine months turned into a few years and then I was pregnant again — this time with my daughter. Finally, when my longtime climbing partner moved back into the city for a few months during my second postpartum phase, I told him I was ready to get back into my climbing routine.
The problem was that my gear was old, lost, or covered in spider webs. So I had to start largely from scratch. Inspired by the innovations that have occurred while I was away from the sport, I tested new shoes, apparel, belay equipment and more. From my testing, here are my favorite pieces that helped me get back into climbing again.
La Sportiva TC Pro Climbing Shoes
As a retired ballet dancer and ultrarunner, I’ve abused my feet enough to last a lifetime. That’s why I prefer all-day climbing shoes over overly aggressive shoes. The TC Pro strikes a balance between comfort and technology. Built for climbing big walls, the shoes are designed to feel good for hours at a time, featuring a leather upper and a flat sole – and they lace up for the perfect fit.
But there are technical aspects, too, including the thick Vibram XS Edge rubber, which is great for applying stain. Plus, the tough rubber provides ample support.
patagonia free wall hallsmith pack
The Hallsmith is designed for multi-pitch climbing, with space to carry gear for you and your partner. Its spacious interior zips closed, and its body fabric is both abrasion-resistant and water-repellent.
It features webbing loops on the front and back, and will fold forward when held by its handle, allowing easy access to the belayer. And yet it’s light enough to mount to a wall, weighing in at just 41.3 ounces. Most importantly, it’s comfortable with lightly padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waistband.
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie
Speaking of versatility, Arc’teryx’s Kyanite Hoody is the perfect layer for climbing the local ski hill, climbing on a cold day, or walking the dogs on a cool morning.
The polyester-nylon-elastane blend creates a tough, no-nonsense fabric that still feels soft, and its slim fit is both flattering and practical, giving you freedom of movement without restriction. My favorite feature is its scuba hood that wraps in warmth without getting a bunch of string on my face.
Black Diamond Momentum Pilot Package
I was lying down with my friend at a gym in Albuquerque, about an hour from where I live, when a gym employee stopped us in the middle of a climb and asked me to put him down. “You can’t use that on the lead here,” he said, pointing to my ATC. “Don’t you have an auxiliary braking belay device?”
I didn’t do that, because I never liked how heavy they felt. Luckily, Black Diamond creates the perfect middle ground: the pilot. It works almost the same way as my classic gear, but due to a simple design feature the rope gets compressed between the carabiner and the device when pulled tight, making it much easier to grab and hold if it falls. Unlike Grigri, it does not have a set of moving parts; To lower, you simply tilt the lip of the device upward. Plus, at just 86 grams, the Pilot is actually lighter than my old school, metal ATC. Consider me a convert.
With the Momentum Package, Black Diamond includes the Pilot, a RockLock Screwgate Carabiner, and the Momentum Harness. I fell in love with the mint green harness for its extreme comfort. I’ve had harnesses before that dug into my legs or rubbed at my hips, but with plenty of padding in both the belt and leg loops, most of the time, I forgot the Momentum was there at all.
Of course, you can buy the three items separately, but if you need a new harness and ATC, I’d say go for the three-for-one.
Zigzag Vessel Chalk Bag
Made from recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets, ZigZag’s vessel fits a number of features into a simple bag. In addition to the chock pocket, the bag features a secondary zippered pocket with a built-in phone sleeve and three gear loops that create a chock-proof locker for all your essentials. Plus, I got a lot of compliments on its earthy color and style.
The North Face Summit Series of Width Pants
Lightweight yet durable, these pants are low profile but packed with lots of features. The abundant amount of recycled nylon-elastane double weave blend creates a strong yet supple fabric that allows me to put the foot where I need it. Additional stitching in the crotch and knees provides strength and prevents tearing. And a non-PFC DWR finish makes the Width’s water resistant. Plus, they get bonus points for their beautiful, sleek silhouette that feels just as at home on the wall as it does in the after-brewery.
