About
Climbing Magazine has been the authoritative voice of the climbing world since 1970, serving millions of enthusiasts across bouldering, sport climbing, traditional climbing, and alpine disciplines. The publication offers a rich blend of content: breaking news from crags and competitions worldwide, exhaustive gear reviews tested across thousands of vertical feet, step-by-step technique and training guides, and immersive long-form features that capture the culture and history of the sport. The platform's gear guides are particularly thorough — field testers evaluate everything from rock shoes and ropes to crash pads and gloves under real climbing conditions, giving readers practical, trustworthy recommendations. The training section features structured programs like a complete 12-month periodization plan, myth-busting advice, and mental performance insights from elite athletes. Beyond instruction, Climbing Magazine publishes compelling narrative journalism — profiles of pioneering climbers, coverage of landmark first ascents, safety analyses of major accidents, and cultural essays on the evolving climbing community. The Weekend Whipper video series showcases dramatic falls and near-misses as learning opportunities. Climbing Magazine is ideal for recreational climbers seeking gear advice, aspiring climbers working to improve technique, and dedicated enthusiasts who want to stay informed about access issues, competition results, and community trends. Content is available free on the web, making it an accessible resource for the global climbing community.
Key Features
- Expert Gear Reviews: In-depth, field-tested reviews of climbing shoes, ropes, crash pads, harnesses, and more — evaluated across real climbs and thousands of vertical feet.
- Technique & Training Guides: Structured training programs, periodization plans, and pro tips covering movement skills, strength, mental performance, and discipline-specific techniques.
- Breaking News & Access Updates: Up-to-date coverage of crag access changes, competition results, safety incidents, and major developments in the global climbing community.
- Long-Form Storytelling: Narrative journalism featuring profiles of elite climbers, first ascent stories, historical deep dives, and cultural commentary on the sport.
- Weekend Whipper Videos: A video series showcasing dramatic climbing falls and near-misses as educational content to help climbers understand risk and improve safety awareness.
Use Cases
- A recreational climber researching the best rock shoes for their foot shape and climbing style using expert field-tested gear guides.
- A beginner looking to improve technique by following structured training programs and reading pro tips on movement skills and mental performance.
- A climbing gym member staying informed about crag access changes, conservation news, and community issues affecting outdoor climbing areas.
- An experienced trad climber discovering new routes, reading long-form features about climbing history, and watching Weekend Whipper safety videos.
- A climbing coach or team manager using training articles and periodization plans as resources to structure athlete development programs.
Pros
- Decades of Expertise: Over 50 years of climbing journalism gives the publication unmatched historical authority and a deep bench of experienced contributors and field testers.
- Free, Comprehensive Content: The vast majority of articles, gear guides, technique tips, and training plans are freely accessible on the web with no paywall.
- All Disciplines Covered: Content spans bouldering, sport, trad, aid, and alpine climbing — making it a single destination for climbers across all styles and experience levels.
Cons
- No Interactive or Personalized Features: Content is editorial and one-directional — there are no personalized training plans, progress tracking, or community interaction tools built into the platform.
- Gear Reviews May Not Cover All Budgets: Reviews tend to focus on premium gear, and budget-conscious climbers may find fewer options evaluated in the lower price ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Climbing Magazine free to read?
Yes, the majority of content on climbing.com is freely accessible without a subscription or paywall. Some perks may be available through affiliated Outside+ memberships.
What types of climbing does Climbing Magazine cover?
Climbing Magazine covers all major disciplines including bouldering, sport climbing, traditional (trad) climbing, aid climbing, and alpine/mountaineering.
How often is new content published?
New articles, gear reviews, technique guides, and news stories are published regularly — typically multiple times per week, with some content updated daily.
Does Climbing Magazine offer training plans?
Yes. The training section includes structured multi-month periodization programs, targeted workout advice, and mental performance guidance from professional coaches and athletes.
How are gear reviews conducted?
Gear is tested by field testers in real climbing conditions — for example, rock shoes are evaluated across thousands of vertical feet on diverse terrain before recommendations are made.
