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Gift shopping for anyone is tough, but climbers are the worst, and ice climbers are the pickiest subset of the whole bunch. At a loss for what to get your favorite ice prince/princess? Or looking for a list of ideas to subtly slide to your family? Core items like ice tools, boots, and crampons are highly individual so, as a gift giver, we recommend focusing on things you can never have too much of, like socks and gloves, or “nice to haves” that they’re unlikely to have splurged on. Here are some favorites from our team which range from $20-$350 and are sure to be appreciated by beginners and seasoned tool-swingers alike.
The Winners at a Glance
- Arc’teryx Alpha Hybrid Pants ($350)
- Showa Temres 282-02 Glove ($23)
- Rab Cirrus Reversible Insulated Skirt ($115)
- Petzl Pur’Ice Pick ($65)
- Patagonia DAS Light Pants ($300)
- Sterling Aero 9.2 mm XEROS Rope ($280)
- Mountain Equipment Trango Jacket ($350)
- Blue Ice Aero Screws ($70)
- Darn Tough Socks ($27)
- BUFF Original ($22)
- Petzl Ultralight Pouch ($30)
The List:
Arc’teryx Alpha Hybrid Pant ($350)
Size: XSR-2XLR (men’s) / 0R-16R (women’s)
Fit: Trim
Pros:
- Ultimate quiver-of-one winter pant
- Highly breathable composite construction
- Removable knee pads
Cons:
- Not fully waterproof
The Alpha Hybrid Pant has been revived after the original version, the beloved Alpha Comp, was dropped from Arc’teryx’s lineup years ago. Like the Comp, these pants combine hardshell Gore-Tex front and lower pants with softshell in the rear for an unmatched synthesis of weatherproofing, breathability, and movement. They also retain the Comp’s key crossover element: cuffs with a zipper that widen to accommodate ski boots or slim down to avoid crampon catches. The Alpha Hybrid also has updated features like removable foam kneepads and a cinchable waist belt for that final chef’s kiss finish.
Bottom line: Made for the cold-weather athlete who only wants to pack one pair of pants.
Showa Temres 282-02 Gloves ($23)
Size: M-2XL (unisex)
Perfect gloves are the elusive white whale of every ice climber. Finding something warm, well fitting, dry, and dexterous is a constant Goldilocks search; and they need to be replaced often, as they are on the frontline for use and abuse. The Showas (a Japanese fishing glove) feature a fleecy liner to keep hands warm in moderate temps and are impressively dexterous for handling screws and manipulating tools on tough pitches, plus a cinchable gauntlet to seal out snow and precipitation. At only $23 from marine supply stores (just Google for them) the Temres 282-02 are a bargain must-have for every ice climber’s kit.
Rab Cirrus Reversible Insulated Skirt ($115)
Size: XS-XL
Testing the Cirrus last winter our female tester quickly noted its versatility from the crag to everyday life. Just like bacon, puffy pants make everything better, and the insulated skirt bridged that mantra with even more versatility. A full length side zip makes the Cirrus nearly effortless to don for extra warmth at rock and ice climbing belays, and make it a welcome layer for getting out the door on cold mornings—even just for the office commute. Of all the gear we tested last year the Cirrus Skirt was a surprise favorite—overcoming all testers’ initial skepticism, men and women alike.
Sponsored: Mountain Equipment Trango Jacket ($349.95)
Size: XS-XL
Built to endure varying mountain conditions, the Trango down jacket offers an innovative dual layer offset baffle construction. The result is expedition-level warmth with excellent mobility, low bulk, and packability. The interior mesh and security pockets give you a safe, dry place to store valuables while the adjustable cuffs, hood, and hem provide personalized comfort. Whether you’re belaying or leading steep ice with a small pack, the Trango is the perfect jacket for your cold-weather climbing pursuits.
Petzl Pur’Ice Pick ($65)
One Size (*for Petzl ice tools only)
All technical ice tools (aka “axes” for the layperson) feature replaceable picks, which can be sharpened through the season but ultimately get worn out. Most manufacturers offer different picks for different uses: those designed for solely ice climbing are thinner and moderately curved to penetrate and hold in ice; those designed for dry tooling have beefier construction and steeper angles to hold edges. Despite being marketed as a “pure ice climbing” pick, the Pur’Ice is undeniably an all-around performer: it penetrates ice better than a knife in warm butter, and holds up well to mixed climbing and dry tooling on Alaskan peaks.
Climbers tend to be squirrely with buying new kit when they can “get by” with the old and tired gear they have, so for anyone using Petzl ice tools a new set of these is sure to get them excited.
Sterling Aero 9.2 mm XEROS Rope, 70 meter ($280)
Ropes are the one thing no climber can have too many of; they are the piece of equipment that we go through the fastest. Here at Climbing we test a lot of ropes, and the Aero 9.2 has risen to the top of the pile o’ nylon. Dry treated ropes are a must for icy endeavors—you are climbing water after all—and also extend durability in general. Sterling’s advanced XEROS dry coating (which treats individual fibers rather than the finished rope as a whole) does actually seem to make a difference. Climbing on the Aero is a dream from sport to ice and mixed escarpments, so you’re sure to get squeals of joy from any vertically inclined recipient.
Patagonia DAS Light Pants ($300)
Size: XXS-XXL
Most ice climbers will have a puffy belay jacket (critical for enjoyment, if not survival) but often overlooked is the outsized effect puffy pants have on overall warmth, much more so than if you tacked that extra insulation just onto a jacket itself. Like new ice picks, lots of folks can “get by” without puffy pants, and whether they have some and/or like them should be easy to ferret out. The DAS Light Pants have been our favorite for a few years—balancing modest weight and bulk with an incredible warmth in wintry environments.
Blue Ice Aero Screws ($70)
Size: 7cm-22cm
Screws are another long term “consumable” for ice climbers: being made of metal they last quite a while, but they will eventually dull and get progressively harder to place—even if hand-sharpened. Having a few freshies in rotation are always appreciated, and the Aeros are an incredibly light, fully steel screw thanks to their wider bore and thinner walls. The wider-than-typical-bore also makes them handy for reusing previous screw holes, a particular advantage on well-traveled routes where good ice placements are already swiss-cheesed by previous parties. Our favorite sizes are 13cm and 16cm, and having a single 22cm for belays and v-threads is fantastic: the wider bore of the Aero makes it easier to line up V threads and to fish ropes through.
Darn Tough Socks ($24-30)
Don’t let Ralphie lead you astray, fresh performance socks are always welcome! Vermont-based merino wool sock maker Darn Tough has been steadily growing to an industry favorite—there are even anecdotes of athletes sponsored by other big brands who silently slip their toes into some Darns.Their lifetime-replacement guarantee is a testament to the quality, and the wool’s performance is unmatched. Plus with a wide array of fun designs to choose from you can find a special flair to express your gift-giving spirit. *For ice climbers, we recommend a boot-height or micro-crew-height sock.
BUFF Original ($22)
BUFF has the distinction of creating their own product category…the BUFF: a cylindrical neck gaiter/headband/face mask/whatever your heart desires to insulate. They are super light, remarkably versatile, and offer a range of colors, materials, and designs—so even if your grand nephew already has a half dozen laying around, one more choice in the rotation never goes unappreciated.
Petzl Ultralight Pouch ($30)
Some of the greatest things in life are the simplest. Ice climbing involves lots of sharp and pointy accoutrements, and the Ultralight Pouch provides a burly barrier between spikes and other backpack contents, while also looking super cool.