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You can’t become the first woman to send both 5.15 and V15 without mad skills, a dedicated training ethic, grit—and some really good gear. We asked Michaela Kiersch to share some of her favorite products for performance, safety, and skincare. Here are her five things Kiersch won’t climb without, and why she loves them.
1. La Sportiva Solution Shoes – Women’s
Climbing shoes are one of the only performance-enhancing climbing products you can invest in, so it’s crucial to select a high-quality brand and a model that suits your individual anatomy and climbing preferences.
I love climbing on super steep angles so the aggressive downturn on the Solution is perfect for that terrain. I also prefer a stiffer rubber, which gives me more confidence on tiny and precise edges or footholds.
Shop La Sportiva Solution Shoes – Women’s
Shop La Sportiva Solution Shoes – Men’s
2. Petzl Sitta Harness
I love that this harness is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable—the three essentials for a long day of sport climbing! It folds perfectly into my packed bag for the day and is lightweight but supportive on the wall, which makes it feel invisible and not bulky.
Shop Petzl Sitta Harness
3. Organic Climbing Blubber Pad
The Organic crashpads are an obvious choice in this category for their beautiful and customizable aesthetic as well as their durability and ability to provide a safe and reliable landing.
The Blubber Pad, in particular, is one of the most useful products I own and an essential for bouldering. The Blubber is seamless and can be used to cover cracks between pads, uneven talus, or even to make a comfortable picnic zone for lunch. It’s a game-changer when it comes to building a safe landing and preventing those dreaded between-the-pads falls.
Shop Organic Climbing Blubber Pad
4. Welly Bandaids
Not only are these bandaids super cute, but the fabric design is highly flexible and breathable, which helps promote skin healing. I apply ClimbSkin to my splits at night or on rest days and cover with a Welly Bandaid.
Shop Welly Bandaids
5. Rhino Skin Spit
I have extremely dry skin, which is a blessing and a curse. On those super dry and windy days out, I am often dry-firing from holds and wishing for more moisture. I recently began using Rhino Skin Spit Spray before climbing in these kinds of conditions and it has really helped add more “stick” to my grip and keeps my tips pliable so they are less prone to splitting.
Shop Rhino Skin Spit
