The Flash: Rock+Run Blog

What are the secrets to climbing well? Well, while there's no magic bullet solution to rock climbing mastery, some relatively inexpensive bits of kit can make a heap of  difference!

Christmas is here again and as we approach the 25th, you might be looking for some gift inspiration for the climber, mountaineer or camper in your life. In this short but comprehensive guide, we'll suggest a range of stocking fillers for the different types of mountain enthusiasts in your life. To qualify as a 'stocking filler', the items will cost less than £30.

It’s that time of year again. The nights have drawn in, mince pies are back on sale and we’re all hoping for some climbing goodies under the Christmas tree. Buying for a climber can be hard work, especially if they’re already experienced with copious amounts of kit. So, we’ve narrowed down our Gift Ideas into a top 5 list for each category to help you out.

With summer and the outdoor climbing season fast approaching, you might be planning to make your debut on real rock, taking the skills you’ve learnt at an indoor wall to your local crags or boulders. In this mini-series we’ll be looking at some of the kit you’ll need to get started climbing outside. This week it’s the turn of bouldering pads, the portable blocks of foam that you’ll be taking with you on a bouldering trip to protect you in the case of a fall. Below we’ll suggest our top 5 picks (in no particular order) for your first bouldering pad, taking price and quality into account.

Climbing shoes are one of the first purchases made once we start climbing more regularly, and it’s one that can have a massive influence on how we engage with the sport throughout those first few months. Knowing which shoes to buy can prove a minefield of choice (and for some a pretty big investment) so take a look at our top picks. 

We’ve reviewed the whole range of EB shoes and, in this article we’re going to round it up with some technical insight and model suggestions to give you a better idea of which EB shoe will suit you best.

Purchasing rock shoes online can be a tricky undertaking, the following short article outlines our “suggested” rock shoe fit formula. This system offers the customer between 2 and 4 sizing options – in accordance with their pre-measured foot size – for each of the rock shoe models we stock, with each sizing option offered being appropriate to varying levels of performance.

Knowing which climbing rope to buy can have you tied up in knots with an abundance of choice and so many confusing factors that determine a ropes use and suitability for you. But, don’t worry, by the end of this article you should have all the information you need to make the correct climbing rope purchase.

All the harnesses we sell will be suitable for use both indoors and out but, in this guide, we’ll take a specific look at a harness’ suitability for the outdoor disciplines, sport and trad climbing. Below we’ll suggest our top 5 picks for your first outdoor climbing harness, we’re going to keep our recommendations sensible (no minimalist, skimpy string alpine climbing models) and set an £80 price cap, this is your first harness, so it needs to have some degree of multi-functionality and comfort for prolonged use.

With summer and the outdoor climbing season fast approaching, you might be planning to make your debut on real rock, taking the skills you’ve learnt at the gym to your local crags or boulders. In this mini-series we’ll be looking at some of the kit you’ll need to get started climbing outside. First up is sport climbing quickdraws, the things you’ll be relying on to protect you in the case of a fall at a pre-bolted crag or wall. Below we’ll suggest our top 5 picks (in no particular order) for your first set of sport climbing quickdraws, taking price and quality into account. 

As climbers, our skin is our most important tool, sensitively connecting us to the vertical world and creating the essential friction that keeps us on the wall. But, knowing how to maintain your skin and deal with its specific needs both whilst climbing and between climbing sessions can be tricky. Put simply, most of our climbing skin troubles will come as a result of skin that is either too wet or too dry, we’ll take a look at some of the specifics of each below and some of the products that can help you maintain superb skin.

We know that there is a vast amount of belay devices available on the market, so we thought it may be helpful to outline the different types of belay devices on offer and give a brief summary of the individual belay devices that we stock. Hopefully this will give you a better understanding when either choosing your first belay device, or deciding you want to try a different type.

As the night’s draw in and the temperatures plummet, adventures in the mountains transform through autumn’s glorious colours to winter’s snowy dustings. With the inevitable thrill of a wintery mountain landscape comes the need for a few specialist bits of kit to keep you safe, warm and happy in the cold. Here are 5 bits of kit we think you should consider for a wonderful winter.

A climbing shoe is just a climbing shoe, right? Well, in recent years, with the growth of indoor climbing walls and competitions, climbing shoe manufacturers have started producing shoes specifically aimed at the indoor market. These shoes have been designed to target the typical, modern style of indoor climbing where volumes, smears and hooking are all par for the course. But, what’s unique about an indoor shoe and what is it good for? Here’s all you need to know. 

The following article offers a buying guide for head torches, a simple but essential piece of equipment should you find yourself outdoors after dark. In our opinion, you should never go out without one.

If you're stuck on what sort of head torch you need, check out this guide to give you a better understanding and hopefully you'll be staying out when everyone else has gone home. 

Taking into account the dazzling array of climbing harnesses available, choosing the right harness can, on the face of it, seem a complex task. However, by asking yourself two simple questions...

A detailed guide to fitting and sizing mountaineering boots incorporating a foot measuring chart.

With a multitude of sizes, shapes and designs choosing the right carabiner for the job can seem overwhelming. Here we systematically go through the reasons behind each design and outline which carabiner(s) you will need for your rock climbing requirements.

Looking for advice on how to size an ice axe for walking or mountaineering? Our in-depth guide explains the differences between ice axes and how to select the correct length ice axe for you.