Movement Blog

With the holiday season approaching, we know you’re starting to look for the perfect gift for the climber in your life. Staring at racks of carabiners, draws, cams, and belay devices can feel overwhelming—and while no trad climber we know would turn down another black Totem, sometimes the best gifts don’t add weight to a harness. We pulled together a guide of our favorite ideas that skip the hardware and give something meaningful, useful, and memorable. From those planning their next big wall adventure to the brand-new climber, we’ve got something for everyone.

Have you ever hopped on the wall, only to get confused a few moves in? Climbing can often feel intuitive, but sometimes a tricky sequence can throw you off and burn precious forearm power. That’s where route reading comes in. By taking some time to plan before you pull on, you can climb smarter, save energy, and give yourself a better shot at sending. In climbing competitions, you’ve probably seen athletes miming moves from the ground or even rehearsing an entire route in their heads. Route reading helps you (and the pros!) separate the mental processing from the physical effort. By studying a climb before you get off the mat, You’ll create muscle memory for key techniques, anticipate the crux (the hardest part of the climb), and feel more confident when it’s time to commit. Ready to give route reading a try? Here are a few tips to conserve forearm power, maximize each attempt, and give yourself a better chance at flowing through your beta.

So you’ve been climbing for a little while now—you’ve got your harness figured out, you know what a crimp is, and you’ve maybe even surprised yourself and sent that project you’ve been working on. The days of fumbling through a figure-eight are behind you (shoutout to that Intro to Ropes class!), and you’re starting to feel more at home on the wall. You’ve found your rhythm, taken the intro classes, and now you’re wondering: what’s next?