Good gifts for climbers in the UK can be tough. Christmas is a month away and you want to show your appreciation to a loved one who cant get enough of climbing. They talk about weird things like cams and nuts, come home covered in what they insist is chalk, and you catch them gazing at their horrific finger tips way too often. You want to show them you care, but how? Let us help you this winter season with the very best climbing gifts for the UK.
We’ll cover all budgets from stocking fillers to “main” presents with over 100 climbing gift ideas. We’ve also narrowed this down to things they may not have and would really appreciate – so you don’t end up buying them something they won’t use. We’ve got sections covering the best gifts for climbers new to the sport, best gifts for boulderers, great gifts for climbers who want to start climbing outside, and way more.
This is based on our “Gifts For Rock Climbers” article but we’ve removed any items not available in the UK and added some specific UK items and sites to buy from.
Support Your Local Climbing Gym!
Local climbing gyms have never needed your support more. Please consider starting a regular membership and see it as an investment in your local climbing scene. Ask your gym what gifts they’d recommend and buy them local or try gift cards. Consider gift cards for intro courses or kids classes to introduce friends and family to climbing for the first time!
Gifts For Rock Climbers UK – Under £20
Climbing Books
Winter means downtime for most sport climbers, and downtime means planning for big adventures. Pro Chrimbo Tip: It might be tempting to buy some of the classic books about Everest and big mountaineering-style climbs. For most modern climbers in the UK this isn’t really their thing. As interesting climber gifts some of the books below would probably be better choices.
Inspirational Reads
The Desert: A Dirtbag Climbing Book
Author of the incredible US-based climbing zine Luke Mehall. A great bio look back on is dirtbag days.
The Push: A Climber’s Search for the Path
The truly incredible account and build up to the Dawn Wall – also a terrific film – The Push Review
Alone On The Wall
Alex Honnold himself talking about his life and the incredible free solo climbs featured in the Free Solo film.
The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life
Further insight into Alex Honnold and his life – Impossible Climb Review
Training
Self-Coached Climber: The Guide to Movement, Training, Performance
Almost definitive guide to training for climbers of every level. If they don’t have it yet, we guarantee they’ll use it.
Training for Climbing: The Definitive Guide to Improving Your Performance
Another great book that is a must own for obsessives.
9 Out of 10 Climbers Make the Same Mistakes
Brilliant insight from UK legend Dave MacLeod. Advice that cuts straight to the bone.
Make or Break: Don’t Let Climbing Injuries Dictate Your Success
Same author as above. Really helpful when injury gets in the way.
The Rock Warrior’s Way: Mental Training for Climbers
Absolutely incredible book that has helped a lot of people push past the mental roadblocks we all put up.
Great For New Climbers
The Crag Survival Handbook: The Unspoken Rules of Climbing
Really helpful for going from gym climbing to outside in the new year. Do other climbers a favor and get them this.
Rock Climbing Technique: The Practical Guide to Movement Mastery
Great book for the basics of climbing movement that will really help beginners. Top new climber gift pick.
Great For Kids!
How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion
Excellent illustrated book aimed at young kids. Life lessons for kids by child prodigy climber Ashima Shiraishi. Climbing gifts for kids top pick.
Not Actually Books
Climbing Rock 2020 Wall Calendar
Plan those epic road trips. Mostly US based photos.
Climbing 2020: The 2020 Rock Climbing Calendar
Mixed from the US and Europe for those planning a trip abroad.
Coffee Table Photo Books
Most of these books are more expensive than £20 but make great gifts for climbers as well as being impressive photo books on their own.
Climbing Rock: Vertical Explorations Across North America
Lush and indulgent 270 page hardcover picture book covering North American ranges
Yosemite In The Sixties
Absolutely stunning Black and White photo books featuring legendary climbers in Yosemite – North America’s climbing mecca.
Yosemite in the Fifties: The Iron Age
Companion piece to the above. Even harder men doing hard climbs with less gear. Stunning shots.
Drawn: The Art of Ascent
Another seriously beautiful book. Gorgeous photos overlaid with journal-style illustrations and stories. Only £19.95 – Bargain!
UK Climbing Biographies, Books & Films
Climbers from the UK have always been at the forefront of pushing boundaries at all levels. We’ve got it all from hard trad to sport and bouldering. All of the characters here are legends and their stories are engrossing, perfect for getting ready for a cold and wet grit season.
Jerry Moffatt – Revelations – “When Jerry Moffatt burst onto the scene as a brash 17-year-old, rock climbing had never seen anyone like him before. This is the story of his meteoric rise to stardom, and how he overcame injury to stay at the top for over two decades”
Check Price on Amazon
Full of Myself – Johnny Dawes – “Introducing the world to the impossible grades of E8 & E9, and laying the foundations of the modern scene, Johnny’s unique style and character have become legend”
Check Price on Amazon
Statement – Ben Moon – “A pioneer in the sport-climbing revolution of the 1980s and a bouldering legend in the 1990s, he is one of the most iconic rock climbers in the sport’s history”
Check Price on Amazon
Beyond Limits – Steve McClure – “Rapidly reaching a high standard, Steve became torn between the desire to climb increasingly bold routes with a series of close calls forcing him to seriously question his motivations.”
Check Price on Amazon
Redemption – The James Pearson Story – Young climber James Pearson climbed very hard trad, but got caught up when he downgraded others climbs, then was accused of over grading his own. The story of his trial back from being an almost despised figure in the UK scene.
Check Price on Amazon
Wide Boyz – Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall are incredible climbers, but as the Wide Boyz they’ve carved out a niche. Watch these guys hit the USA for some of the hardest off-width cracks in the world and train by building a crack den of their own in a basement.
Check Price on Amazon – Wide Boyz II also available
Hard Grit – Absolute classic UK climbing film. If you haven’t seen this yet, go and buy/borrow it now. Featuring a multitude of terrifying and badly protected climbs on the hard gritstone in the Peaks and a near death fall from Jean Minh on Gaia.
Check Price on Amazon – Buy direct from Producer
Pysyche – An excellent film featuring some of the UK’s hardest sport, trad, and winter climbers. Showing a lot of Steve McClure’s then recent efforts on sport, Dave Birkett pulling some hard trad scents, and Andy Kirkpatrick and Ian Parnell mountaineering.
Check Price on Amazon
Films
Inspiration for bad weather days is much needed when stoke is low. Force your newly obsessed husband/wife to take a rest day (yes actual rest. Active rest days don’t count) with you and binge these films – equally entertaining for non-climbers. All make good climbing gifts under £20.
Free Solo follows Alex Honnold as he attempts to climb the 3,000ft El Capitan rock face in Yosemite National Park. Without a rope. Multi Oscar and BAFTA winning. If your climbing loved one hasn’t seen it we’d be surprised.
Valley Uprising chronicles Yosemite climbing in all it’s rebellious glory. From the early days through to adventurous and wine fuelled first ascents, on to the hazy 70 rebels. Absolutely brilliant look at climbing history.
Dawn Wall is unmissable. A tale of one man’s obsession with Yosemite’s monstrous walls. Death, loss, change, failure, and finally an incredible attempt at an impossible line.
Fred Beckey is the original Dirtbag. Living only for climbing and other pleasures, this doc takes a look back at the wild and unkempt life of one of the original vertical hobos. One of the top climbing gifts for him.
Best Gifts for Climbers UK – Customized Water Bottle
Every climber knows you are only as cool as the stickers on your water bottle. The classic is the re-usable, BPA free Nalgene. Guaranteed to last a life time and probably not be accidentally stolen. Available in wide variety of colors in either the big 1 liter or a Honnold Approved 16oz travel size.
For decoration you can get some fun sticker packs to choose from or check out etsy/local artists for more specific arty stuff. Also consider donating to the enormocast and giving your address to get stickers and support the best climbing podcast in the bromuda triangle.
Nalgene Water Bottles
1 liter Nalgene Water Bottle
500ml Nalgene Water Bottle
Cool Stickers
100 Outdoor / Travel Stickers Pack
100 Outdoors Stickers
Climbing Stickers from Etsy
Explore More Sticker
Neat Climbing Gift Ideas Under £20
Boot Bananas – Solve stinky shoe-based relationship breakdowns with this innovative gift! Comes with a mini carabiner to clip in to shoes easily, smell lush and absorbs sweat and bad odours. When they need replacing they turn brown but will last a long time.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Belay Glasses – Save your friend’s neck on those long project hang dog days. Well made, do the job perfectly, definitely makes you look cool. Various types, we’ve included two options.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Forearm Trainers – Part stress ball, part training tool. Check price for various types on Amazon – Epic TV
Gripmaster Climbing Hand Strengthener – Comes in different tension strengths, allows you to work each finger individually for maximum bro strength.
Check price on Amazon
These awesome playing cards by Best Boulders feature famous climbers, gear, and even the dab rats and Epic TV guys!
Best Gifts For Boulderers UK
Bouldering is climbing small boulders without ropes, harnesses and other gear. Being close to the ground it doesn’t require much kit apart from a good pair of shoes, a crash pad, and some chalk. Bouldering inside you don’t even need a crash pad.
The best presents for boulderers in the UK end up being pretty cheap! A good brand of grippy chalk, a couple of accessories like a chalk brush, and some great skin repair balm will go down an absolute treat.
Boulder Britain – Near perfect guide to the best bouldering spots around the UK. A perfect intro that highlights the classic problems and areas, covering tonnes of different spots.
Check price on Amazon
Skin Care
If you want to help look after a climber’s skin – don’t buy moisturizing creams, get a balm or climbing specific creams. These repair and nourish skin without leaving it too soft to climb. These are our top picks: –
Climbon Lotion Bar – Amazon – Epic TV – Alpine Trek
ClimbSkin Hand Cream – Epic TV
Rhino Skin Repair – Epic TV
Rhino Skin Performance – For on the day hand conditioning – Epic TV
This Climbskin Finger File Set is perfect for keeping hands nice and trim to stop skin ripping.
Check Price on Amazon – Similar file at Epic TV
High End Chalk
Friction Labs chalk has great reviews for it’s grip, texture, and staying power. There are three types – chunky, super chunky, and fine. Ee’d suggest the chunky as less will be lost during normal use and the blocks can be crunched up to a finer dust anyway. Adam Ondra prefers the chunkier stuff too. You can also buy these in small 1g tasters to try all three.
Check Price on Amazon – Epic TV – Alpine Trek
Brushes and Tape
Brushes are for cleaning holds as well as cleaning chalk off when you leave. Please do this part too. First you clean the rock with the brush, then you chalk up, then you fall off, then you clean the chalk off the rock, then you chalk up – and the cycle continues. Buy a nice wooden one instead of non-sustainable plastic.
Check Price on Amazon – Epic TV – Cotswold Outdoor – Alpine Trek
Finger tape comes in handy for for the gnarly cuts and grazes, when a callus pulls off, and for protection when crack climbing. Comes in a variety of shapes and colors but thick tape can be split into thin strips, so two rolls aren’t always needed. Mostly all the same so don’t spend more than you need.
Check Price on Amazon – Cotswold Outdoor – Alpine Trek
Anti Sweat Pro Secret
A well known secret among pro climbers who have a problem with damp hands. Rhino Skin Dry contains the active ingredient “Methenamine”. Yes the product is blue but this bears no relation to Walter White. You spray this on your fingers before bed and wash off the chalky residue in the morning. You’ll then find for the next week or so your fingers are a lot drier and give much better grip! A Wide Boyz favorite.
Check Price on Epic TV
Bouldering Crash Pads
For boulderers climb inside but want to go outside in the new year – a bouldering mat is a great gift. The below crash pads will all fit their needs perfectly as great do-it-all pads. You can also read our full Best Bouldering Crash Pads guide to see more options.
Black Diamond Drop Zone
An excellent and burly crash pad that does everything it needs to at a great price. Decently sized and perfectly thick, tough but light. The taco closure system also has a pocket for carrying bits in and doubles up as protection for the backpack and waist straps when on the floor. Two side drag handles are integrated.
Check Price now on Amazon – Epic TV – Similar BD Impact at Cotswold Outdoor – Alpine Trek
Mad Rock R3
The R3 is the best bouldering pad for dedicated boulderers. With a huge surface area and brilliant recycled cushioning, this would make an amazing present for boulderers. It has a great carry system with pockets and strap protectors, and it will last years of heavy use. A top buy.
Check Price on Amazon
Best Christmas Presents For Climbers UK – Under £50
Awesome Chalk Bags / Buckets
What’s the difference? Chalk bags with a strap are smaller, about right to put one hand in. Great for climbers and boulderers alike as you can wear them while climbing or leave them on the ground for bouldering. Chalk buckets are bigger, for both hands to go in and get a lot of chalk ready – really for dedicated boulderers who use a lot of the white stuff. Prices vary from £15-50 ish so we’ve included a few selections here.
Black Diamond Mojo Zip – Lots of colors, lightweight and hardy material – Amazon – Epic TV – Cotswold Outdoor – Alpine Trek
Arc’teryx Aperture – Unique closure system, light and refined. Best suited to roped climbing – Amazon – Epic TV – Cotswold Outdoor – Alpine Trek
Kavu Peak Seeker – A few different patterned designs. Good standard lightweight chalk bag that stands out – Amazon
So iLL Chalk Bucket – Modern and good looking design brand. Perfect for boulderers. Massive, foldable, comes in Seafoam, Mint, or GOLD! – Epic TV
For the more refined taste.
Evolv Rasta Knit – To go along with the Sharma Signature Rope. Bluetooth speaker not included – Amazon
YY Vertical Shark Stopper – It’s a baby shark. Expect the song when you give it to your kid – Amazon
8b+ Monster Bag – These fun looking guys are perfect for kids and adults who don’t take themselves too seriously. Wide a wide range of different faces and colors these are great fun, with names like Bruno, Felix, Freddy, and Donald. – Amazon – Epic TV – Alpine Trek
8b+ Monster Bucket – Also in a big chalk bucket size for boulderers. Secure inside zip pocket, side pocket and brush holder too – Amazon – Epic TV – Alpine Trek
Best Gifts for Climbers UK – Coffee Stuff!
Being out in nature away from the world can be great. One thing we occasionally miss is that friendly local barista that knows exactly how you take your overly-specific coffee order. We’ve got some great climbing gift ideas for out and about coffee making that don’t take up much space, are eco-friendly, and are perfect for that quick caffeine hit.
GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip – A brilliant pour over coffee maker that is easy to use and clean, doesn’t need throwaway filters, and can be packed up light. Just the top drip part and legs, you’ll need a mug to go with it.
Check price on Amazon
GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug – The perfect pairing for the drip. The perfect size, easily cleanable, keeps your drink warm, packs up easy and looks good.
Check price on Amazon
Single Origin Pre-ground Coffee – Pact do great “better than fair trade rates” coffee bought directly from the grower. They offer a bunch of different options like a subscription plan, or a christmas gift pack. We’d suggest a subscription for freshly ground coffee or beans. OR buy locally and fair trade.
Visit Pact Coffee
GSI Outdoors Travel Coffee Grinder – Simple, adjustable to size, packs up small. For those who absolutely must grind their own.
Check price on Amazon
The new Aeropress Go is a slimmed down version of the super popular coffee maker. This one is perfect for travel as it fits together in one cup-sized housing.
Best Climbing Gift Ideas Under £50 – Training and Recovery Gear
Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar – Easy to put onto most doors, latches on to the sides of your doorways and doesn’t damage them. Put this up and whenever you walk past do a couple of pullups. Easy grip and upper back/trapezius workout without needing a gym.
Check price on Amazon
Armaid Self Massage Arm Tool – Help to alleviate the pump while training and let you actually hold the steering wheel after a big gym session. A great climber gift for the dedicated.
Check price on Amazon – Sometimes more than £50 if not on offer. For a cheaper alternative consider a standard Foam Roller
Wooden Balance Board – Climbing requires a great deal more core strength than most people would imagine. A few minutes on this every day will make a big difference!
Check price on Amazon
Escape Climbing Wooden Grips – These beautiful wooden grips are a great addition to a pull up bar or fingerboard. Different types to focus more on forearm grip strength for climbs when big pinches and slopers are a major obstacle.
Egg Shape – Ball Shape – Handle Shape
Climbing Hold Mug – Practice your pinches and occasionally ruin clothes with this hugely impractical gift.
Check Price on Amazon
Different style on Amazon
Great Christmas Gifts For Climbers UK – Over £50
Best Gifts for Climbers UK- Helmets
Climbing outdoors is – in general – fairly safe. Sport climbing especially means the protection in the wall is already there and falls are normally small and expected. However if you are a worried relative and want your loved one to be safe then a sleek, lightweight helmet could be of mutual benefit.
Most climbers who don’t wear helmets outside give excuses about lack of side protection, weight, or obscuring vision. These modern helmets offer solutions to all of these. Also, rockfall and upside falls do happen. We’ve included our three top picks at different price points.
Black Diamond Half Dome – A classic redesigned. Offering full top, side and back protection with a hard outer shell, shock absorbing inner, featuring integrated head torch clips. At around £40-50 this is a no brainer. Available in Men’s, the Women’s has a nice ponytail cutout and different size/color.
Check price now on Amazon – Epic TV
Petzl Meteor – A step up in price at around £70 brings a lighter (under 225 grams) and slimmer profile helmet. Still offering excellent protection but with the outer polycarbonate shell more integrated into the inner foam. Ventilated and sleek looking and again available in different sizes and colors.
Check price now on Amazon – Epic TV
Mammut Wall Rider MIPS – At £130 this is the best climbing helmet money can buy. Lightweight at under 225 grams it features a top hard shell fixed into a foam inner that wraps around the back and sides – offering a large area of protection and great durability for such a light helmet. The design and ventilation mean you hardly know this is on. It also offers a world first in climbing helmets – MIPS protection. Most common falls onto the head or from rockfall cause rotation. MIPs is designed to mitigate this to decrease chance of brain trauma and neck injury.
Check price now on Amazon – Epic TV
Training Gifts – Fingerboards
Beastmaker 1000 and 2000 – These are the best fingerboards available and are hand made in the UK. Made from sustainably sourced wood that is kind to the skin. Featuring a massive range of holds from jugs, to pockets, monos, and different angled slopers. These are excellent training accessories that are lauded by everyone who touches them. Climbing gifts can be hard but this is a guaranteed hit.
The 1000 has jugs instead of the impossible slopers. The 2000 is more advanced as the holds are generally shallower and there are mono pockets. The 1000 will go a very long way so don’t be tempted to get the 2000 unless you are climbing very hard sport grades.
Check Prices on Amazon – Beastmaker 1000 – Beastmaker 2000
Epic TV – Beastmaker 1000 – Beastmaker 2000
Alpine Trek – Beastmaker 1000 – Beastmaker 2000
Read our full guide to the Best Hangboards for our top picks
Metolius Rock Rings – These are more dorm room/travel friendly training aids than the Beastmakers. Hang them anywhere and use the holds to train pinches, slopers, pockets and crimps anywhere you need. Great as a warm up at the crag before a project if you don’t have a good warmup route.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Best Gifts for Climbers UK – Neat Climbing Gear Gifts Over £50
Beta Stick Evo – This clip stick allows you to clip the first quickdraw in, so you can avoid that sketchy high first clip. Cleverly it also allows you to unclip quickdraws safely. Perfect for pushing your grade and keeping your gear. This is a great gift for sport climbers. Available in different lengths, around £50-60
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
New Grigri – The threegri. Basically the best assisted braking belay device on the market. Redesigned to be lighter, safer, and to handle a wider range of rope sizes. Safer than a basic device and more comfortable to lock off when your climber is resting on long sessions. Watch the official video for the right technique and still NEVER take your hand off the brake rope. Around £50-60.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Edelrid Ohm – Absolutely invaluable device for when a climber is heavier than the belayer. You clip this into the first bolt and it assists braking/increases friction in a fall so the belayer isn’t dragged into the first quickdraw. Also helps control lowering. If you are a heavy climber, consider buying one for yourself to assure belayers and vice versa. Around £90-110.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Backpacks
A great climbing backpack can make adventures so much easier. A pack that is the right size to fit gear while fitting your body and being breathable is a total winner. These packs are brilliant, look good, and have all the features/pockets/straps needed for a great day out on the hike to the climb and going up with gear in tow.
Petzl Bug – A modern classic seen a crags around the UK. Holds plenty of gear inside and has some great features. Outside front pocket and daisy chain for clipping in gear, two side compression straps, top carry strap, and comfy back padding. 18 liters, great for all-dayers.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Black Diamond Creek – Available in 20, 35, and 50-liter sizes. A big burly pack inspired by Indian Creek climbing. Perfectly suited as a haul bag that can be worn comfortably. Top loading, long side zipper, and two strong carry handles at the top. Rope tie and integrated pockets, this is a perfect back for long multipitches and packing out for a day or two hiking.
Check price on Amazon – Epic TV
Patagonia Linked – Comes in 18L and 28L and different colors. An excellently made multi pitch pack. Similar to the cragsmith but more suited to big all day climbs. Top loading with a drawstring and two carry handles. Bladder reservoir inside for hydration mid-route. Two daisy chains at the front for clipping gear and extra clipping points at the side for easier hauling and attachment. Adjustable chest and waist straps.
Check price on Epic TV
Gibbon Travel Slackline
An excellent balance practice tool as well as a creative new way to get injured. Slacklines are actually really fun and this set from Gibbon is perfect for setting up anywhere. The classic climber’s second hobby.
Check price on Amazon
All Season Jackets
When conditions are perfect, climbing outside is an incredible experience and can create lifelong happy memories. When conditions are bad, things veer over into “type 2” fun. As in it wasn’t fun then but at least we got a story out of it. A good jacket can turn a miserable belay into a much more comfortable affair. Nowadays down jackets and synthetic down jackets can be very good gifts for climbers and offer breathable, waterproof protection in all weather.
Patagonia Nano Puff – The classic crag jacket. A brilliantly warm down jacket that packs up super tiny. Fits well under a harness and comes in Men’s and Women’s sizes, a massive variety of colors, and in a hooded version too. Top pick – best gifts for climbers.
Check price on Amazon – Hoody on Epic TV
Rab Microlight Alpine Down – Another excellent down jacket. A slightly warmer option than the micro puff, with a big drawstring hood. Great for long belays in colder weather, drawstrings and fitted hems for the perfect fit. Slightly longer fit for better cold protection and ability to wear a harness. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes and a load of color options.
Check Men’s price on Amazon – Epic TV
Check Women’s price on Amazon – Epic TV
Arc’teryx Gamma LT Hoody – An almost perfect all round climbing jacket. Light, breathable, moveable and elastic, but still durable advanced fabric. A great longer cut to fit a harness with an adjustable hood. Perfectly placed pockets outside and in, elastic draws all round. This is a high end pick. Arc’teryx gear is second to none and this will last years of good use. Top pick – climbing gifts for her.
Check Men’s price on Amazon
Check Women’s price on Amazon
Best Gifts for Climbers UK – Big Gifts? Consider Gift Cards
If you are thinking of buying something big but specific – like a rope, climbing shoes, quickdraws/cams, or clothes/hiking shoes that could be ordered in the wrong size – think about a gift card instead. If you know there is something big that they would love but you don’t know the exact size/thing they need, then a gift card allows you to get it for them while they make sure it’s what they wanted.
Epic TV Gift Card – E-mail / Post
Cotswold Outdoor Gift Card – E-mail / Post
Alpine Trek Gift Card – E-mail / Post
We hope our Best Gifts For Climbers UK has been helpful! We rehauled the entire list from the US version to make sure everything was available here. Some items are UK exclusive and fit more with the traditional ethic and type of climbing we do over here. For guides on gear and climbing bits we have many more climbing gear guides available including our top picks for the best beginner climbing harness, best beginner climbing shoes, best beginner bouldering pads, best climbing shoes for kids, best beginner climbing rope and more. Follow us on twitter, instagram, facebook or pinterest for more climbing gift ideas and regular updates on climbing news from around the world.
