Climbing

Grade converter, real gear math.

Grade converter, real gear math.

Grade conversions across YDS, French, UIAA, British, Australian, and bouldering (V/Font) systems. Plus real gear reviews — $300 shoes vs $90 shoes, when each actually matters.

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Calculators

Working tools that answer one specific question. No "sign up to see results." No upsell paywall.

Most used Grade Converter Input grade from any system. Returns equivalents in YDS, French, UIAA, British (technical + adjectival), Australian, V-scale, Font. Open calculator → Rope Length Calculator By climbing style (sport, trad, alpine), pitch length, and route style. The rope you actually need. Open calculator → Trad Rack Builder By route type and grade. Single rack vs double. Crack sizes you'll see at your local crag. Open calculator →

Real Gear Reviews

The cheap option is usually fine. When it isn't, this site says so. Reviews include real cost-of-ownership math, not "5 stars on Amazon" reasoning.

GuideYour climbing shoes shouldn't hurt that muchBeginners are told to size their shoes brutally tight because that's what serious climbers do. For a beginner it's bad advice — it doesn't help you climb, it…

Why this page exists

Climbing content online is dominated by brand-sponsored athletes and gym-only beginners. This site is run by a person who climbs Mid-Atlantic trad and sport at the 5.10/5.11 level.

The gear math reflects what real climbers use after a season of abuse, not what looks good in a sponsored Instagram post. The expensive shoes aren't always better for hard climbing; the calculators help you spend money where it makes you climb harder.

Plain note about money. Some links in the reviews and calculator results go to product pages on eBay with an affiliate tag. If you buy through one, the commission pays for the site. Your price doesn't change. The cheap option is usually fine; when the expensive option is worth it, this site will explain exactly why.

Guides

Gear actually worth buying

Smart eBay searches we'd start with ourselves. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales through these links; the price you pay is the same whether you use them or go direct to eBay. Full disclosure.

🔍 Shop Rock Climbing on eBay →
Black Diamond Solution Men's Climbing Harness, Carbon, LargeClimbing harnessBlack Diamond Momentum and Solution are the two benchmarks. Fit matters more than brand — try before you buy if possible. La Sportiva Rock Climbing Shoes Unisex SZ M5 W6 Gray BLK Nago Leather BoulderingClimbing shoesLa Sportiva Tarantula and Scarpa Origin are the honest beginner picks — flat last, no aggressive downturn, room for longer sessions. Climbing kit-Climbing Chalk Bag/Climb loose chalk bag/Rock Climbing Brushes NewChalk bag and chalkA simple chalk bag with loose chalk is all you need. Black Diamond Mojo is a popular shape. Fine chalk dust coats better than blocks. Petzl GRIGRI Gray Belay Device NEWBelay device (GriGri or ATC)GriGri is the standard for sport and gym lead belaying — assisted-braking reduces fatigue on long days. ATC is the lightweight trad option. Complete Climbing Kit - Sterling Rope, Quickdraws, Carabiners - Used Once (2020Quickdraws (sport set of 12)12 draws covers most sport routes. Petzl Spirit Express and Black Diamond HotWire are reliable. Matching sets reduces fumbling on the wall.
Browse all Rock Climbing listings on eBay →

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