Collection: Only what you need. Bouldering Gear

Bouldering asks for less gear than any other kind of climbing: shoes, chalk, a brush, and something to carry them in. No rope, no harness, no rack. CRACX makes the piece most climbers still improvise, the bag that holds the whole session.

The CRACX Ascend bouldering chalk bucket doubles as a gear bag: a wide mouth you chalk up from with both hands, room for shoes, brushes, tape and liquid chalk, 5 L rolled down and 8 L open. Two magnets close it between attempts; for the drive, roll it down and clip it.

The bouldering gear you actually need

• Climbing shoes. Snug, not painful, and rented for your first sessions. The start bouldering guide covers the rest of week one.
• Chalk. Loose, ball or liquid, depending on your gym: chalk ball vs loose chalk vs liquid.
• A brush. To clean the holds before your next attempt: the best climbing brushes.
• A bag that carries it all. Waist bag or bucket? The full case is in chalk bag vs chalk bucket.
• A crash pad, once you go outside. Gyms have the mats; boulders don't. Start with the gym to crag guide.

The complete packing list lives in the bouldering gym bag checklist, and the free chalk bucket size calculator adds up how many litres your own kit needs.