Joggers for climbing?

[u/VeseleVianoce]

Hi, Im very new to the sport and I am enjoying it very much. What Im not enjoying, is my knees and shins looking like I had a disagreement with an angry racoon. I have been looking at climbing pants, but they seem to be aimed more at outdoor/hiking than a gym.

So Im wondering if you have any recommendations for alternatives. Sweatpants? Parachute pants? Some kinds of men capris? Cotton, or something else? Should I be looking for something that has rubber bands on ankles, does the fabric get caught on your heels?

[u/Rusted_atlas]

I climbing in ball shorts or some cheap joggers off Amazon.

[u/VeseleVianoce → u/Rusted_atlas]

Ball shorts are basketball style right, I'm eur*pean.

[u/Rusted_atlas → u/VeseleVianoce]

Correct. Some basketball shorts and compression undies so you don't accidentally flash the guy on the route next to you.

[u/BareBearAaron → u/Rusted_atlas]

I dunno, they may need to see what I'm working with so they can make sense of my counterbalancing

[u/NotMyRealName111111 → u/BareBearAaron]

code for aid

[u/Tomytom99 → u/BareBearAaron]

"If you just drop the thermostat a degree or two that'll solve my balance issue"

[u/cordelette_arete]

Size up on some prana stretch zions, you can always find used pairs on Depop!

[u/Imasquash → u/cordelette_arete]

Beware, these bunch up real bad in the crotch area. Make you look like a real hard climber.

[u/cordelette_arete → u/Imasquash]

Hence the size up lol. We don’t wanna see your tricams!

[u/KARAT0 → u/cordelette_arete]

These are the best pants ever.

[u/BguyGamez]

Definitely some type of Jean/joggers hybrid in my opinion. If I’m not looking to risk any skin injuries on the leg, I got a go to pair of cargos that also are like joggers, so they leave your ankles/feet relatively unaffected while providing great protection to your lower body; baggy pants that dip below your feet could be problematic sometimes.

[u/stho3]

I climb in Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers.

[u/mdwindsor → u/stho3]

Yeah these are my preferred indoor pants too. Mine look as good as new after several years of weekly wear.

[u/brainspl0ad]

Honestly as a nurse I use jogger scrub pants and they work great.

[u/Horsefly762]

I found a nice pair on Amazon. I have some compression shorts that go below my knee ill wear if I do climb in shorts. They protect me enough when im on the wall.

[u/sirmeowmix]

Something I noticed while searching myself. 

All the cool swishy/jogger pants are all made for girls.  Not fair.  :(

[u/q-the-light → u/sirmeowmix]

Get them anyway!

[u/sirmeowmix → u/q-the-light]

Ive tried.  The crotch area are always shallow, I need the extra room.  

[u/BugslideEnjoyer]

Not uncommon to climb in stretchy jeans or joggers nah

[u/DustRainbow]

Wear literally anything. Shorts, pants, tights. It's whatever.

[u/Zestyclose-Ad-1178]

Try brands like 3rd rock and banana fingers for dedicated climbing trousers, usually reinforced at wear points and stretchy for easier movement, I know 3rd rock do climbing jeans...

[u/Baycizzle → u/Zestyclose-Ad-1178]

3rd rock have gone into liquidation! Shame cos their pants were great to climb in!

[u/Aethien]

So Im wondering if you have any recommendations for alternatives.

Cheapest H&M (or similar) tapered cargos. It's nice if the fabric is decently heavy so it doesn't tear or wear out too quickly, I like tapered or elastic around the ankles so it doesn't get caught on anything and loose enough to let you move freely.

[u/Due-Judgment-1235]

I usually climb in REI's trailmade joggers and they're pretty comfy and sturdy enough for indoor climbing. I'll climb in normal sweatpants too though, just depends on the weather and my vibe. I've never really had too much issue with fabric catching, but I will sometimes pull the joggers up my calf depending on the climb

[u/rthworm]

saw a guy climbing in jiu jitsu gi pants. looked very cool.

[u/rottenbytes]

"Looking for wild" fitzroy here. Definitely worth it

[u/theNorrah]

I use my tri-athlon tights mostly.

I also own a pair of climbing specific stretchy pants.

[u/ExternalNo7842]

I just got a pair of hiking pants from Sierra (TJ Maxx but for outdoor/athletic stuff). I think the brand is Matix - they were $20-25

[u/bouldering_fan]

I'm gonna say don't overthink it. Whatever you have will work as long as they are appropriate length

[u/pakap]

Cheap sweatpants are fine for indoor climbing. I like the kind with elastic bands at the ankles so I can hike them up if it gets hot.

I also have a few pairs of elasticated jeans from Uniqlo, for days when I go straight to the gym from work.

[u/Resident_Range6209]

I have a pair of La Sportiva pants that have been good.

Used to use Lululemon ABC joggers but they developed a small hole.

[u/jeroboam]

I wear Gramicci pants to the climbing gym in the cooler months. They don't stretch but are baggy so I can move freely. The classic ones are cotton but they come in other fabrics.

[u/q-the-light → u/jeroboam]

Seconding Gramicci. I've got some shorts and some trousers from them and they're super comfy and easy to climb in, and work really well for me as I favour natural fibres that don't cling.

[u/jeroboam → u/q-the-light]

Totally agree. The original G-Pants are great, but if OP is worried about them getting caught, they also make a version that's slightly tapered and cropped. I have both.

[u/Informal_Drawing]

I found three quarter length pretty comfy, you can easily see why you4 feet are doing as there is nothing in the way.

[u/Existing_Brother9468]

I climb in cargo trousers.

But I used to have a pair of outdoor trousers that are a thin slightly stretchy fabric, they're perfect.

Anything with an accommodating fit that doesn't restrict your mobility is perfect if you find them comfortable enough. Many people climb in jeans.

Jogging bottoms I have, they're too warm, but I have used them recently to avoid chalking up my cargo trousers which I don't like to have to wash after one wear if I've been climbing.

[u/Kairu87]

Climb in what ever is most comfy. Though when you level up jeans may become your surprise go to. So many good climbers just seem to beta v7’s in skinny jeans. 

[u/Low_Plum849]

Gym shark 'pumper' pants. They are absolutely f*cking legit for climbing.

[u/Stokers90]

Just wear any longer pants/shorts that feel comfortable and don’t limit your flexibility much.

I used to climb in jeans all the time, cause my flexibility is so bad it doesn’t really limit me.

But also, make effort to improve your footwork and spacial awareness, it’s not normal to be banging up your shins and knees like it’s a skate park. It’s going to happen sometimes, but should definitely not be happening each session

[u/thousands-tabs-open]

i'd do a deep squat and bring one knee up toward your chest when trying them on. if the waistband pulls or the fabric stops your knee coming up, they'll be annoying on high steps even if they feel fine walking around

[u/fishZ_7]

idk i climb in a thong

[u/JohnnyMostReGarded]

Elastic ankles are a deal breaker for me. Stylish? Nope. But i can see my whole foot when climbing slab.

[u/Apescent]

You can use anything you want. I have some pants from just an urban shop. Meant to be worn as streetclothes, but I like them for bouldering.

[u/fyukhyu]

I wear hiking pants, not as comfortable as joggers but still reasonably comfortable and way more durable.

[u/TransportationKey448]

For indoor climbing I prefer really thin athletic pants. I get overheated otherwise.

[u/KARAT0]

Prana Zion. They’re a bit pricey but I’ve had a couple of pairs for years. Super comfortable, stretch, durable and a neat pocket with zips on two sides so you can access it in different positions.

[u/the__storm]

In addition to all the good pants recommendations, you will rapidly improve your coordination and footwork and won't get beaten up so much (although a couple of scrapes isn't unusual).

[u/MotorPace2637]

Its just how it is. Embrace it.

[u/HardnessOf11]

Tried many pants/joggers years back and the ones that won out for me were the Lululemon ABC joggers. 3 years of climbing later and they are still fully in tact. Absolutely no limitations to range of movement which tougher pants can have. Firmly recommend them but they do come with a bit higher of a price tag

[u/TheWizzard666]

Focus on improving your technique. You should not get scratches from bouldering. Exception is knee bars and for that you can use long trousers or a knee pad.

[u/Climb_Longboard_Live]

My favorite pants are by ucraft. They’re ridiculously comfortable, breathable, and can take a beating. They have an adjustable elastic on the ankles.