The Best Cragging Clothes for Summer
Outdoor climbing that's as fashionable as it is functional
Sure, you can go cragging in that tattered tee and threadbare pair of jeans, but why not up your style game with some new, more-climbing-specific garb? Not only will you look better for your followers during those post-send photo-ops, but most cragging clothes have been designed for maximum freedom of movement, which helps during those gymnastic crux sequences.
So, with that out of the way, here are some of our favourite summer cragging clothes for 2024.
Black Diamond Mantle Shorts
A stylish climbing short for the crag or in town
With their traditional button waist closure and classic 7” inseam, the Mantle Shorts are perfect for both cragging and less extreme urban adventure. Black Diamond has spec’d a rugged organic cotton canvas fabric that shrugs off the abrasion and only looks better with use. The addition of a gusseted inseam ensures the shorts won’t hold you back during more extreme movement. The addition of two front hand pockets and two rear pockets provides storage for keys or a wallet, but won’t get in the way when wearing a harness. If you are looking for a pair of shorts, you can wear to the bouldering gym as well as when you head out for post-climbing recovery beers, these are for you.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie
A lightweight hoody with UPF 50+ sun protection
While most climbers don’t want to admit it, the overwhelming majority of most cragging days are spent at the base resting or belaying your partner. It’s during these times, and on long sunny approaches, that the Crater Lake Hoodie really shines. Constructed with a soft, fast-wicking knit fabric, the hoodie provides UPF 50+ sun protection, which helps to save your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. The hoodie’s roomy hood adds additional sun protection for your head, neck and face. Mountain Hardwear has also employed a dropped shoulder construction, which allows for easy movement when you’re paying out rope to your partner.
Black Diamond Notion Pants
Slim profile climbing pants
The problem with many climbing pants is that they have too much material in the legs, which makes it difficult to easily see your feet when you’re climbing on smaller footholds. Luckily, the Notion Pants do not suffer from this issue, thanks to their relatively slim leg profile and elasticized cuffs. While this construction might have you concerned regarding ease of movement, fear not because BD has used an organic cotton fabric with a hint of stretch. Combine this with the gusseted inseam and articulated knees, and you realize that the Notion Pants are up for any extreme movement shenanigans you may encounter when climbing. Other worthwhile details include a harness-friendly low-profile waist, reinforced knees, and four pockets (two at the front, one at the back, and one on the side), and it becomes clear that these are exceptionally versatile and function-driven climbing pants.
Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants
A low profile everyday cragging pant
The relatively simple, low-profile Caliza has everything you would need for cragging and nothing more. As such, it’s a refreshing change from some of the feature-laden climbing pants on the market today. Patagonia starts with a lovely organically grown cotton/spandex blend fabric that feels great against the skin, offers 4-way stretch and can shrug off the abrasion encountered when cragging. The pants also feature a wide, flat, stretchy waistband that is supremely comfortable and sits unobtrusively under a harness. Finally, a simple low-profile snap closure allows for easy cuff adjustments. Like I said earlier, the Caliza has everything you would need for cragging and nothing more.
Black Diamond Chalked Up 2.0 Tee
An ultra-soft climbing tee
Cragging may be the last segment of outdoor sports where cotton fabric and, in particular, cotton t-shirts are still a viable clothing option. Not only is cotton supremely comfortable against the skin, but it also tends to avoid retaining odour like some synthetic alternatives. Sure, cotton t-shirts may take longer to dry, but when deployed in relatively benign conditions like cragging, the slower drying times are not an issue. Which brings me back to the Black Diamond Chalked Up 2.0 Tee. Constructed with 96% organically grown cotton and 4% spandex for easy movement, these t-shirts are ideal for fair-weather climbing and daily urban activities. Get a couple, you won’t regret it.
Black Diamond Sierra Shorts
A low-profile pair of shorts for difficult climbing
With their low-profile elastic waistband, 4-way stretch fabric, and gusseted inseam, the Sierra Shorts should be your go-to for hard redpoints and difficult bouldering. The shorts’ construction avoids any unnecessary bulk, ensuring unencumbered movement during crux moves. While these are definitely function-driven shorts, Black Diamond includes two low-profile front pockets and a rear pocket with a Velcro closure. These simple concessions add real-world versatility (you have to put your car keys somewhere) for those times when you’re not at the cliff.
Products reviewed in this article:
Black Diamond Mantle Shorts
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie
Black Diamond Notion Pants
Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants
Black Diamond Chalked Up 2.0 Tee
Black Diamond Sierra Shorts
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