Years ago, all climbers were simply called climbers. When you said you were a climber, no one ever asked you what type of climber you were. But things are different these days. There are many different genres for the climbing enthusiast.

If you’re a beginner and you’re still worried about falling and getting hurt, then bouldering might be the best type of climbing for you. Bouldering climbs are usually short enough that any falls probably wouldn’t be fatal, but it’s great practice for beginners.

Sport climbing is becoming increasingly popular. Most sport climbs user shorter routes, and they’re generally safer than other types of climbing. This type of climbing isn’t meant to be thrilling or dangerous - it’s generally meant to be a physically demanding form of exercise.

Traditional climbing is more dangerous than bouldering or sport climbing. It can be quite dangerous, so they use specialized equipment to help protect the climber from falls. Some traditional climbers don’t use any equipment. These climbers are called free climbers.

Mountaineering is considered the most dangerous type of climbing. This type of climbing requires climbing straight up rock faces, hiking over large mountain ranges, and even ice climbing.

This type of climbing is very popular among thrill seekers and those who are extremely adventurous. Beginners should generally stick to bouldering or sport climbing for a while until they get used to climbing.

Once you’ve mastered some of the easier forms, you might move on to traditional climbing with equipment. Eventually, you might graduate to free climbing. But most people will never reach the level of mountaineering, because it’s simply too dangerous for the average climber.

Once you decide what type of climbing you want to do, you can plot out your equipment needs. Sometimes you’ll have the opportunity to take more accessories with you, and other times you’ll need your hands free. This is where specialty gear like a one-handed water bottle that clips onto your harness or pack can come in handy.

Some types of climbing require little or no equipment. Bouldering generally doesn’t need any specialized equipment other than a sturdy pair of shoes or boots with good traction. Sport climbing may or may not require any special equipment, depending on the type of route.

Some people choose to be free climbers, and they don’t need any special equipment to enjoy their sport. Traditional rock climbers will typically need ropes and general protective equipment. Most climbers will eventually need some equipment at some point.

They may consist of active protection, which contains moving parts, or passive protection which contains static parts. The equipment is usually placed inside cracks in the rocks, and then the rope is clipped into it.

Active protection equipment includes Cams, Ball Nutz, and Big Bros. Passive protection consists of Nuts, Hexcentrics, and Tricams. Big wall climbing requires specialized gear, because it’s more dangerous than other forms of climbing. Portaledges are special shelters than can be hung from a rock facing temporarily.

These are used for long climbs. A haul system is a rope and pulley system that helps move a haul bag up a wall. A haul bag contains equipment and supplies for the climb. A haul system usually consists of 3 locking carabiners, 2 pulleys, a traxion, an acender, an ascension ascender, and a rope.

Special shoes and gloves are made for climbers. Chalk is helpful for increasing the traction of the hands. Helmets are used by many climbers in case of falls, because brain injuries are one of the leading causes of serious or life-threatening injuries during falls.

Other equipment may be needed for very specialized climbing, but some things, like a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during the climb, can be used by any type of climber for any type of climb.

When you’re climbing, you may be on a steep slope, so holding on tight is essentially for your safety. But in the dry heat and hot sun, you’ll become dehydrated if you don’t have an ample water supply with you.

More climbers are turning to a bpa-free water bottle known as the Titan. With its carabiner, it easily clips onto your gear and allows you to use a single hand to unclip it, pop it open, and chug its contents, reattaching it when you’re finished.

Watch the video below to see how the Titan water bottle works, and consider taking more than one along on your next climb, especially if it’s a lengthy climb that will have you working up a sweat throughout the day.