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.
For the New Climber:
For those just getting into climbing, the best way to get them hooked is with a gift that gives them access, guidance, and confidence from day one.
- Gift a Trial Membership
The beginner climber is fully covered with a 15 Day Trial Membership! No gear? No problem. We’ll hook them up with everything they need to get started including rental shoes, chalk, and a harness, plus intro to bouldering and intro to ropes classes to help them start sending confidently right away.
- Bonus: Gift Card for Essentials
Want to become their new favorite climbing partner? Add a gift card so they can pick out their first-time essentials -- think shoes, chalkbag, chalk, and a harness. It’s the perfect way to get them stoked to crush and progress.
For the Climber who Loves to Read:
Stories of adventure, exploration, and climbing history make for thoughtful gifts that keep the stoke going no matter the season. For the climber who loves a good rest-day read, consider:
- Gift a subscription
Some of our top picks include Summit Journal, Climbing Magazine, Outside Magazine, Mountain Gazette, and our indie-favorite, AMATEUR.
We’re especially excited about Summit Journal—a biannual, large-format, print-only publication full of long-form storytelling and stunning photography. Think old-school magazine craftsmanship done right, and Movement members get $10 off annual summit subscriptions.
For the Training Obsessed:
These are the climbers who have a training plan, a backup training plan, and another training plan “for cycles after that.” They love calluses… but need to treat them too. Give their skin some love with hand care that keeps them going with recovery essentials they’ll use after every session:
- Gift some Hand Cream
The key to fast recovery is giving those fingertips some love. Our favorites include Rhino Repair Cream, JoshuaTree Climbing Salve, and Friction Labs’ Athletic Hands Daily Restorative Cream (a favorite of our setters).
- Plus a File and Clippers
A file a day keeps the flappers away—help them smooth rough calluses and keep hands in top shape.
For the Adventurers Who Want Experiences:
- Gift an Outdoor Guided Trip
For climbers who love adventure, the best gifts create memories. An outdoor trip through our guiding partners delivers just that—fun, learning, and a day on the rock they won’t forget.
- Bonus: Guidebook or KAYA Subscription
Pair a trip with a guidebook to the area they’ve been eyeing, or give a KAYA subscription. It’s perfect for tracking sends, watching beta videos, and planning future adventures. Movement Members get 30% off their first year of KAYA Pro, so you can gift a tool that keeps giving all season.
For Those Who Want to Get Outside Next Season:
If someone you know is dreaming of big wall expeditions, leading at the Red, or their first multipitch, give them the gift of new skills and confidence instead of another locking carabiner:
- Gift an Outdoor Skills Clinic
Knowledge is the most valuable gear there is—and it lasts way longer than nylon. Check out your local gym for courses in anchor-building, transitions, rappelling, and more, to help your climber become crag-ready and set them up for safer sessions next season.
For Climbers Who Want to Give Back:
We’re all lucky to have the beautiful crags, well-maintained trails, and community organizations that make climbing accessible indoors and out. For the climber who cares deeply about supporting the places they love and the people that make it possible consider:
- Donate to the Access Fund or a Local Climbing Coalition
A gift in their name to the Access Fund can help protect climbing areas, maintain trails, and support advocacy work that promotes good stewardship. Find local climbing organizations to donate to or volunteer with here.
- Bonus: Volunteer Together
Plan a day to give back in-person at local crag cleanups, USAC events, with groups that support accessible climbing, such as ParaCliffHangers.
For… Well, Everyone
Give a gift that keeps them on the wall all year long (plus all the perks that come with it). A Movement membership covers unlimited climbing, yoga, and fitness, and comes with a built-in cheer squad every time they send a project.
Not sure what else to get? Pop by your nearest Movement location! Our gear shops are staffed with climbers ready to help you find the perfect present that’ll have your climber psyched every time they hit the wall.