Let’s face it: Bouldering is one of the least equipment-intensive climbing disciplines. Many people hit the boulders with just a crashpad, shoes, and a chalk bag or chalk pot. While these few essential items do the trick for many people, there’s also additional gear you’ll need as you progress.

Here are some of the key pieces of bouldering gear plus some considerations when buying them.

Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes have come a long way since the era of John Gill pulling off difficult problems in stiff-soled hiking boots. Modern rock shoes tend to be built from a synthetic o...