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But climbing’s a lot cheaper than those things. If you’re in a midsize city you can get an unlimited gym membership for maybe $50 per month. Shoes, generously w

by majos 7y ago

But climbing’s a lot cheaper than those things. If you’re in a midsize city you can get an unlimited gym membership for maybe $50 per month. Shoes, generously will run you $200 per year. That’s $800 per year all-in. The equipment alone, even without the travel or membership expenses, seems higher for the other hobbies listed.

patejam 7y ago
I agree with you as far as startup costs go. But your example is only if you only boulder indoors. Costs add up quickly if you want to move outdoors and want the flexibility to do a variety of climbs. You can easily have a couple thousand dollars in gear. Harness $70 Belay device $20-150 Rope $150+ (possibly multiple) Quickdraws $10-14 each, you probably want a dozen or so. Some slings Some carabiners That'll get you outside and working on bolted routes. Then you get into climbs that don't have man made bolts that you can clip into (trad climbing). Each piece of protection at this level costs $60-80 new, and you'll probably want like 10 of them at least. And it goes on and on.
- scarecrowbob 7y ago
  Yes and no. You can go a long time with very little gear. I have a pretty nice trad rack, but most of the time I could get by with shoes, harness, belay device, etc. just because I'm typically climbing with other folks. If you're learning to climb, then you really don't need the equipment beyond personal stuff at all because your partners will have it. Like, I haven't had to use my rack for about the last 3 months just because the guy I was climbing with liked his better. Not to mention that I have cams in my rack from the 90s... a lot of this stuff lasts a very long time and has a reasonable used market. IME, it is way cheaper than, say, lift-serviced skiing or golfing. It's like anything else, you could spend a lot. You could also live in your car and still afford to do this stuff.

by majos 7y ago

patejam 7y ago

I agree with you as far as startup costs go. But your example is only if you only boulder indoors. Costs add up quickly if you want to move outdoors and want the flexibility to do a variety of climbs. You can easily have a couple thousand dollars in gear. Harness $70 Belay device $20-150 Rope $150+ (possibly multiple) Quickdraws $10-14 each, you probably want a dozen or so. Some slings Some carabiners That'll get you outside and working on bolted routes. Then you get into climbs that don't have man made bolts that you can clip into (trad climbing). Each piece of protection at this level costs $60-80 new, and you'll probably want like 10 of them at least. And it goes on and on.

scarecrowbob 7y ago
Yes and no. You can go a long time with very little gear. I have a pretty nice trad rack, but most of the time I could get by with shoes, harness, belay device, etc. just because I'm typically climbing with other folks. If you're learning to climb, then you really don't need the equipment beyond personal stuff at all because your partners will have it. Like, I haven't had to use my rack for about the last 3 months just because the guy I was climbing with liked his better. Not to mention that I have cams in my rack from the 90s... a lot of this stuff lasts a very long time and has a reasonable used market. IME, it is way cheaper than, say, lift-serviced skiing or golfing. It's like anything else, you could spend a lot. You could also live in your car and still afford to do this stuff.