Guide 04

Essential Equipment

The right gear makes climbing safer without making it feel like a production. Most of what you need, your kid probably already owns.

The Essentials

What Actually Matters

Tree climbing doesn't require a gear closet. For casual backyard and park climbing up to about ten feet, you need three things: appropriate shoes, long pants, and a willingness to get dirty. Everything else is optional until you start going higher or doing it more seriously.

That said, there are a few items that make a genuine difference in safety. Here's what's worth having.

👟

Footwear

The single most important piece of equipment. Closed-toe shoes with flexible, grippy soles. No sandals, no boots with rigid soles.

⛑️

Helmet

Recommended for beginners and anyone climbing above 8 feet. A standard bike helmet works. Climbing helmets are better but not required.

🧤

Gloves

Optional but helpful for rough bark. Thin gardening gloves or mechanics' gloves. Thick gloves reduce grip — avoid anything bulky.

Footwear Details

The Right Shoes

This is where most parents go wrong. The instinct is to put kids in heavy boots for ankle support, but stiff soles are actually dangerous on tree branches — they can't feel the branch and they can't flex to grip. What you want is almost the opposite.

The ideal climbing shoe is flexible enough to wrap slightly around a branch, has a sole with enough texture to grip bark, and fits snugly without being tight. Running shoes and trail shoes often work perfectly. Many experienced recreational climbers prefer approach shoes — the hybrid hiking/climbing shoes rock climbers wear to walk to the crag.

Avoid at all costs: flip-flops, Crocs, rain boots, dress shoes, or anything with a smooth sole. Barefoot is actually safer than smooth-soled shoes, but bare feet get torn up on rough bark quickly.

Hiking shoes on forest ground
Going Higher

When Harnesses Make Sense

For recreational climbing in parks and backyards — trees under 15 feet, supervised by a parent — harnesses are overkill. They add complexity, require proper knowledge to use safely, and can create a false sense of security that encourages kids to climb beyond their skill level.

Harnesses become worthwhile when:

⚠️ Never Improvise a Harness

Tying a rope around a child's waist is not a harness. In a fall, a waist-tied rope concentrates force on the spine and internal organs. If you're going to use a harness, use a real climbing harness rated for the user's weight. A child-specific climbing harness from a reputable brand costs between $40 and $70.

Clothing

What to Wear

Long pants protect legs from bark scrapes — the most common minor injury in tree climbing. Lightweight, flexible pants with some stretch are ideal. Jeans work in a pinch but restrict movement. Avoid anything baggy that could snag on branch stubs.

Long sleeves are optional but helpful for rough-barked trees like oak and pine. Fitted layers are better than loose ones. Remove scarves, lanyards, drawstring hoods, and anything else that could catch on a branch.

Pockets should be empty. Phones, toys, and treasures get dropped, and reaching for a falling object is one of the fastest ways to lose your grip.