Do you wear special clothes to climb? I mean the really expensive clothes that make you climb better. I climb in Thailand most of the time, and whenever I come back here I can't help but laugh at the guy who has a brand new pair of Prana pants for every day of the week.

Now, I understand if your big walling, ice or alpine... sure, you need to wear some stuff that is gonna hold up and let you breath, etc. But come on, at a sport crag? Why the hell does it matter what you wear? As long as you can move, why do you have to have $$ pants. More importantly, why not spend your money on gas or gear that saves your life... or some instruction on how to not scream beta and not step on my rope. And if you really have enough money to buy all that stuff that the pro's wear (they get it free guys), then you should probably quit your job and climb more. If you STILL have money left over, then help finish the purchase of the Pendergrass-Murry Reserve, Quees Creek, or one of the thousand or so climbing areas that will be gone before I die.

Sorry, just kind of weird. To me if you have money to spend on climbing, you use it to climb more. Not $70 pairs of pants and $30 beenies.

So... what do you wear when the weather is good??

Yes, I wear "climbing clothes." Sometimes just to piss off the DURRRbots in their pegged Carhartts and Goodwill man-blouses.

This weekend I went to teh sport crag in $100 techy pants and an old pitted-out T-shirt with the logo of a local brewery. Even though I'm a halfassed boulderer who drinks pink martinis.

I'm a walking contradiction and I ain't got no right.

OP.. does what other people wear hurt you? that's sad.

WAAAHHHHH!!!

You're poor.

And bitter.

And can't buy nice things.

That sucks.

I know how it is. I've been there before.

You'll feel better once you upgrade your socioeconomic status.

avid climbing is a new climbing apparel company who is offering sponsorships to 10 ppl who think theyve got what it takes to be sponsored. go to avidclimbing.com for more info

NEVER LET UP!

Yes, I have a $150 pair of shoes that I wear to go climbing. Oh, and yes, I have the rest of the clothes too. Just like I buy good gear, I buy good clothing, and since it's my money I do what I like with it, just as you apparently do with yours. One use is as valid as the other.

I suppose you're a damn Republican/Democrat. Take your pick, they both like to tell me what to do with my money.

i wear Prana clothes because i like the fact that most of the stuff is organic cotton poly blend, it's comfortable and cut well for climbing, i like the way it looks and because i can buy last years designs for the price of regular clothing. i also don't own any clothes i don't climb in.

I wear a one piece skin tight suit made from "sticky rubber". It allows me to throw myself at the rock and stick to it. I can then undgulate up the face like a giant black slug. I must admit it does have some draw backs... I once got stuck in an off width and had to have a partner lower some vasaline and a giant nut tool down to me so I could get unstuck.

I wear a one piece skin tight suit made from "sticky rubber". It allows me to throw myself at the rock and stick to it. I can then undgulate up the face like a giant black slug. I must admit it does have some draw backs... I once got stuck in an off width and had to have a partner lower some vasaline and a giant nut tool down to me so I could get unstuck.

As long as you can move, why do you have to have $$ pants.

I was trying to get avid to send me some of their dope shit panz, but alas they didn't.

So I wear whatever I've picked up at Walmart/Target.

And why does it make a difference if I like to put on crampons, freeze my ass off, and hike up iced-over scree to climb a piece of beautiful ice? Does that make me more privileged to wear these brands? Just curious.

haha ! Ok, I see that's what he meant now, my bad.

But, what happens if at the bar afterwards, I change into my comfy 'climbing clothes'? Does it still make a difference?

Its the city people with their bright colors and complicated shoes.

Nekedness.

More importantly, though, moisture control is a big deal. I wear a lot of wicking underwear, breathable fabrics, and stuff with vents. I am a big fat fucker, and I sweat like crazy... high end clothes contribute greatly to the prevention of swamp ass and crotch rot.

When I was climbing in my Hanes cotton boxers, I was worlds less comfortable than I am in a pair of REI wicking shorts.

As long as people don't dress like sluts, i'm cool.

But I get a mean heel hook in stilettos. What's the problem?

But I get a mean heel hook in stilettos. What's the problem?

I absolutely wear "climbing clothes". Whatever I can find in the clearance bin at REI, or at the scratch-n-dent sales, I scoop up. I used to climb in cheap wal-mart and old navy shit, but they fell apart quickly. The higher end stuff has proven to be more durable, and things like gusseted crotches are mighty handy for those nasty high steps...

More importantly, though, moisture control is a big deal. I wear a lot of wicking underwear, breathable fabrics, and stuff with vents. I am a big fat fucker, and I sweat like crazy... high end clothes contribute greatly to the prevention of swamp ass and crotch rot.

When I was climbing in my Hanes cotton boxers, I was worlds less comfortable than I am in a pair of REI wicking shorts.

High end athletic clothes are well worth the price, but I am still a cheap bastard and only buy the heavily discounted stuff.

Wow!! Maybe your not a complete moron.

I boycott Walmart and their type for nearly all purchases.(I have bought propane, styro coolers/ice and a cheap pillow for destinations I flew to); the pillow is, by tradition, passed on to someone staying at the camp area when I leave, as are any other items that can't get back on the plane, like the fuel and foods that cannot travel).

So - even though my income is probably a lot less that many people who shop those stores, I won't use their goods for ethical reasons(I have seen how they come to their retail prices and it is predatory).

I can't really afford Prana/North Face/Patagonia, etc. at whim, but I do prefer to have pants that are cut for the flexibility, and so they are my choice when I do purchase. Of course, all those brands sell styles that don't offer that flexibility, and I don't buy those styles.

I haven't really been in a clothing store other that the outdoor gear stores in....a few years. Even though I live in the retail mecca of the US, I just cannot stand the energy in most stores. So....those venues are out.

Thrift shops - I ain't into the time spent sifting through the thrift. It's very similar to the energy of any retail store, for me, and therefore distasteful. I prefer to spend my time elsewhere(like pecking away at internet boards.....oy veh).

Clothes purchasing is sort of done as needed, not as a fix. I actually need a few new items soon, but I don't know if I can spring the cash for them. We'll see.


p.s - I like Prana capris on guys. The looseness at the hips, and then the bare lower legs,,,,Show off those sexy calf muscles men!

None is better than wicking - that's what you learn in the jungle where swamp ass ends you up with cotton candy growing out of your crack (for real - just not so sweet and pretty colored).

Just don't fall on slab.

it's got little to do with climbing better or looking a certain way... it's all about function and comfort.

People who've not worn/used technical gear don't understand until they've actually tried it.

I used to snowboard in a thick cotton hoodie, scorning all those snobs who wore "fancy" wicking tops and breathable shells and pants.... i was fine in my soaking wet cotton hoodie and old-school 5-dollar-wallmart hunter's waffle-thermals ... UNTIL i received a pair of thermax base layers and a technical fleece with pit zips as a gift. The first time i stopped for lunch and realized that i was DRY and didn't have to peel a cotton layer off my wet body.. i realized how ridiculous it was that i was judging all those 'posers'.

There's a reason prana sells so well... the sheite works! Try on a pair of stretchy prana pants with a gusseted crotch then do a hanging belay and you'll immediately KNOW the difference.... your nutz won't be split in two by the seam in the middle (like they are by a pair of cheap pair of cargo pants from the Old Navy) and the legs won't get stuck on your knees every time you try to high-step.

Sure there are posers out there who don't climb but like to look the part but so what... for as many posers there are, there are hard-core climbes who like to be comfortable, dry and not look like a homeless person. *laugh*

Besides if the cost is the issue... hit up rei, ems, gear-x or any of the web stores every now and again and you'll eventually find all the supposedly poser-gear on super sale. I've never paid more than $30 for mountain hardware or prana pants.

and just to support his thought: check this out:

prana knickers retail for 60, on sale for 30.
http://www.ems.com/..._id=2534374302889362


garamacci pants retail 60 sale 30
http://www.ems.com/..._id=2534374302889362

ems crag pants retail 50 sale 23
http://www.ems.com/..._id=2534374302889362


men's ems techwick shirt retail 35 sale 15. (you can't get a decent t-shirt for 15, let alone something tech)
http://www.ems.com/..._id=2534374302889362


you MAY have to buy stuff off season tho.

Try it once... you'll feel the difference. Will you suddenly climb a 5.12, of course not ... BUT you WILL be damn comfortable when you try!

Nothing screams "I'm poor" like an American who travels to Thailand to climb rocks.

Or a guy who is gonna go on a cruise with his parents and is concerned about the on-ship climbing wall.

Yep, you're too poor but most importantly too real for that fruityass backpacker's underwear.

When wearing loose garments, I've gotten my gigantic balls squished by a harness on several occasions.

Either your leg loops are too loose or those things aren't as big as you think.

it's a waste of time to be either one of those.

Nothing screams "I'm poor" like an American who travels to Thailand to climb rocks.

Or a guy who is gonna go on a cruise with his parents and is concerned about the on-ship climbing wall.

Yep, you're too poor but most importantly too real for that fruityass backpacker's underwear.

Off-topic, but I'll bite. I live in a closed primary state. In closed primaries, you can only vote for a candidate from your party. If you're registered as independent, it means you're sitting on the sidelines for a part of the process. If you live in a closed-primary state, it makes sense to be registered with one of the two major parties regardless of your political views.

I go all out when it comes to climbing clothing. When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you climb good.

A nice warm vest like this helps also:

I WORK in Thailand bro. I make just enough money to pay for my plane ticket. Then I go work in for cash in London to be with my girlfriend and barely pay for that plane ticket. Then I come to the states and do landscaping and barely make enough money to climb a bit while I'm here.

Yea... my parents took my family on a cruise but that's their money, not mine. I only went because it was the last family vacation I'll ever have with them. I have a college degree that I (notice how I said I) paid for. I'm not in any debt, and could get a good job whenever I want. Fact is, I don't want to live in this plastic country full of clones and pay taxes to a government that only cares about taking care of their friends and tries to pass it off as being the leader of the free world.

Say what you want, but I'm not vacationing... I'm opting out of this fake existence that so many americans blindly fall into. In three years I'll have citizenship in the UK AND the Philippines and living in paradise while most of the people on this site will be working 9 to 5 so they can look cool in their name brands that they got on sale.

Hmmm, with such large balls WHY THE HARNESS???

That makes sense... as I live in a closed primary state as well. However, I think you completely missed my point.

Fine. What's your point?

I WORK in Thailand bro. I make just enough money to pay for my plane ticket. Then I go work for cash in London to be with my girlfriend and barely pay for that plane ticket. Then I come to the states and do landscaping and barely make enough money to climb a bit while I'm here.

Yea... my parents took my family on a cruise but that's their money, not mine. I only went because it was the last family vacation I'll ever have with them. I have a college degree that I (notice how I said I) paid for. I'm not in any debt, and could get a good job whenever I want. Fact is, I don't want to live in this plastic country full of clones and pay taxes to a government that only cares about taking care of their friends and tries to pass it off as being the leader of the free world.

Say what you want, but I'm not vacationing... I'm opting out of this fake existence that so many americans blindly fall into. In three years I'll have citizenship in the UK AND the Philippines and living in paradise while most of the people on this site will be working 9 to 5 so they can look cool in their name brands that they got on sale.

I WORK in Thailand bro. I make just enough money to pay for my plane ticket. Then I go work for cash in London to be with my girlfriend and barely pay for that plane ticket. Then I come to the states and do landscaping and barely make enough money to climb a bit while I'm here.

Yea... my parents took my family on a cruise but that's their money, not mine. I only went because it was the last family vacation I'll ever have with them. I have a college degree that I (notice how I said I) paid for. I'm not in any debt, and could get a good job whenever I want. Fact is, I don't want to live in this plastic country full of clones and pay taxes to a government that only cares about taking care of their friends and tries to pass it off as being the leader of the free world.

Say what you want, but I'm not vacationing... I'm opting out of this fake existence that so many americans blindly fall into. In three years I'll have citizenship in the UK AND the Philippines and living in paradise while most of the people on this site will be working 9 to 5 so they can look cool in their name brands that they got on sale.

I go all out when it comes to climbing clothing. When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you climb good.

This is what I wear for general cragging, you can get them on sale hear:
http://www.raffaello-network.com/...4622&rangeid=350

A nice warm vest like this helps also:
http://www.raffaello-network.com/...3042&rangeid=355

I like to go with a nice, casual Hugo Boss shirt, and I have these wicked Gucci boots for the approach.

I get it. You're in the, "I'm way too fucking hip to be cool, bro!" camp. I'm a relatively new member of the, "I'm old to worry about it, chief!" camp. The beauty and struggle of life is that we all have to determine what brings us joy (and thus what is of value). You may find that you don't have to degrade the choices of others to promote your own. Then again, you may not.

So tell me, do you climb on the cheapest possible climbing gear? You know, name-brand cams dangling off people's harnesses really screams bourgeoisie. Czech-made cams are the symbol of the proletariat.

I can't help but think of 'Into the Wild'. Only I hope there's a happier ending!

Because I need something to use to belay the chick who's climbing with me. I tried just wrapping the rope around my giant pouch of man-gravy, but she was so distracted in awe that she couldn't focus on the rock.

Also, I need a place to clip the Spirit carabiner that holds my keys. Gotta keep it real, brosef.

I never said i was going to go live by myself and I certainly won't go burning my money. But I think the guy made some good points. Did you read the book?

My point was that I don't like seeing people buy them just to look like a climber and I think we can all agree with that.

Why do you care what other people wear? Why not just climb?

Try it once... you'll feel the difference. Will you suddenly climb a 5.12, of course not ... BUT you WILL be damn comfortable when you try!

because when posers start buying up clothes, it causes new, shitty companies to start making clothes just for posers. Look at snowboarding 20 years ago compared to now. Most of the companies now are no more environmentally conscious than BP Amaco. Prana, Patagonia, etc... those companies are responsible. Just wait and see what the next wave of "climbing companies" turns into.

A long, long time ago... And,


Why do you care what other people wear? Why not just climb?

On a side note here.

You really do have some cool Jewelry!!
When I have a few extra bucks you will he hearing from me. I think my wife will dig it!

I boycott Walmart and their type for nearly all purchases.(I have bought propane, styro coolers/ice and a cheap pillow for destinations I flew to); the pillow is, by tradition, passed on to someone staying at the camp area when I leave, as are any other items that can't get back on the plane, like the fuel and foods that cannot travel).

So - even though my income is probably a lot less that many people who shop those stores, I won't use their goods for ethical reasons(I have seen how they come to their retail prices and it is predatory).

I can't really afford Prana/North Face/Patagonia, etc. at whim, but I do prefer to have pants that are cut for the flexibility, and so they are my choice when I do purchase. Of course, all those brands sell styles that don't offer that flexibility, and I don't buy those styles.

I haven't really been in a clothing store other that the outdoor gear stores in....a few years. Even though I live in the retail mecca of the US, I just cannot stand the energy in most stores. So....those venues are out.

Thrift shops - I ain't into the time spent sifting through the thrift. It's very similar to the energy of any retail store, for me, and therefore distasteful. I prefer to spend my time elsewhere(like pecking away at internet boards.....oy veh).

Clothes purchasing is sort of done as needed, not as a fix. I actually need a few new items soon, but I don't know if I can spring the cash for them. We'll see.


p.s - I like Prana capris on guys. The looseness at the hips, and then the bare lower legs,,,,Show off those sexy calf muscles men!

Why do you care what other people wear? Why not just climb?

and WW pulls through again with the precise answer to the entire thread!!!
wait that should be in all caps for emphasis:
AND WW PULLS THROUGH AGAIN WITH THE PRECISE ANSWER TO THE ENTIRE THREAD!!!

You know, I'm not trying to say that there is anything wrong with having money, and/or choosing to spend it on nice clothes. I was simply commenting on the guy who we ALL know who busts his ass just to look the part. It's just not what this sport is about. At least it's not what this sport used to be about.

I get pissed sometimes and say/write dumb stuff but I think most of the people on here knew what my original post was getting at and decided to give me shit anyways, even if they understood what I was talking about.

No, I don't buy the cheapest gear possible. I work to get what I want...

Do I get pancakes?

Just wait and see what the next wave of "climbing companies" turns into.

Why does it matter to you? You don't buy from them anyway!

BTW - I like wearing a lot of climbing clothes 'cause they make me feel pretty :).

I stopped listening when you called me a poser.

Abso-freaking-lutely!

You know, sometimes you have to treat yourself. I had a stack of three blueberry pancakes this weekend.

I could go for some banana pancakes right about now...

This was going perfectly till you pulled nanards into it.
Blaeberries or choc chip

i like that answer

nope.
i'd rather spend my cash on cams and ropes

i wear whatever, cotton, synth, i rarely do backcountry climbing so the car is usually 30 minutes away at most. i'm married so i don't need to impress the ladies

A wee bit defensive?

DMT

just let it go.. be comfortable, be happy and just climb. Stop with the silly pride and worrying about what others think.... just use what works for you... but also realize that maybe you aren't aware of options that are better.

What about the guy who goes out of his way to wear rags and wax about The Life so he can pass himself off as a Stone Monkey subbie? There are a LOT of those guys too.

I'm not saying you're one of them (I suspect you'd deny it anyway), but they're out there. They're slightly more annoying than the weekend warriors, who are at least clean.

Actually, I'd put my money (what's left of it, after buying techy pants) on them thinking you think you're too kool for skool.

So do I. My daddy paid for my degree (we should all be so lucky. I know I am.) but I use it. Every two weeks, I get enought scratch to buy a few nice things that I want. Sometimes it's a meal out. Sometimes it's a movie ticket. Sometimes it's a loud pink North Face techy top to wear to the gym.

And it's not to look like a climber. I do that when I climb. It's because I like cute pink tops.

If I were more into mountaineering or big walls I would probably go for more high tech clothing, but for the cragging that I love I'll stick to my handme down good will/thrift store clothes. I guess my cajones aren't too big cuz I never have the issue with them being pinched by my pants (and I don't free solo often, and never above 5.9), so I don't see "high tech" crag wear as a necessity, or even better than what I already wear.