Want the perfect date night? Skip the Pokemon searches and the scene at the bar and head to the local crag late on a summer afternoon. Just be sure to dress to impress.
(M) Bedrock Cairns
Even the best climbing shoes can hurt. So why not give your toes a break when you are belaying, hanging out or walking up to that crag? These comfy adventure sandals feature a sticky Vibram sole, tough enough to handle a short hike as well as some maneuvering around while you holding your partner.
$88; bedrocksandals.com
(M) Five Ten LOGO Tee
No one wants to look like a NASCAR driver, plastered with brand names, but some brands have earned the real-world cred to make you feel proud to blare their logo. Take Five Ten, which invented the original sticky rubber, count Sasha DiGiulian and Cedar Wright among its stable of athletes and supports a Middle Eastern climbing team in the name of making a better world. $20; fiveten.com
(M) La Sportiva Acro Pant
Any guy who is out to impress doesn’t want a pant that cramps his style out on the rock. Enter the comfy cotton Acro, which has just enough lycra to give it some stretch when you are out climbing, but looks entirely presentable when you want to hit the town for that post-crag cocktail. $119; sportiva.com
(M) Five Ten Quantum
Even when he’s just out on the rock for an evening, a dude takes the art of climbing seriously. The Quantum, bolstered with C4 rubber designed with the input of the über Huber brothers, helps keep him on his game. For such an aggressive shoe, it can take on a wide variety of rock and it’s a tad more comfortable thanks to a wider last and breathable tongue. $185; fiveten.com
(W) Patagonia Hotline Top
It’s designed for yoga but this organic cotton-and-spandex top can take on climbing, running, hiking and any other active pursuit you choose. Plus, feel guilt-free wearing it since Patagonia is a B Corp, legally responsible to the environment and social good over the bottom line. $49; patagonia.com
(W) La Sportiva Katana
Want one shoe that can handle just about anything? Women will wow with their rock skills in the surprisingly comfy Katana. The stylish shoe fits so well thanks to easy-to-adjust hook-and-loop straps. Most important, it has the edging capability to take on tough sport routes but enough guts to jam it into trad cracks. Oh, that versatility means it’s a fine gym shoe, too. $150; sportiva.com
