Climbing Off the Runway

With the exception of a handful of pros, specifically Kai Lightner and Margo Hayes, climbers aren’t usually known for their high fashion sense.  Certainly climbers have a sense of style, but high fashion isn’t usually in the dirtbag nomenclature.  Climbers require a certain type of clothing to thrive, which is why you won’t see gowns and cumberbuns at the crag.  Helmets and harnesses are more like it, and as far as I know climbing gear hasn’t quite made its way to fashion week. While high fashion and rock climbing don’t seem to have much in common, Paris, Milan, NYC, and Tokyo share an overlap with fashion models and rock climbers.  

Whether it’s models at the crag or climbers on the runway, there are some fashionable pieces that would satisfy both parties!

Carrot:

While no one has ever confused me for the fashion police, I have some preferences when it comes to personal aesthetic.  Mostly I find one pair of pants that I like and buy 5 of them (looking at you Prana Stretch Zion), I continue with durability and comfort to finish the look.  This usually amounts to a t-shirt, base layer, and jacket/hoodie, but if I had the money, I could see myself splurging on something excessively respectable.  With a pop of color, and a dash of personality, this is what my runway look would boil down to.

We’ll move from head to toe.

Millinery: CAMP USA Armour Helmet – $59.95

Chemise: Sombra Sun Hoodie – Men’s (Cotopaxi) – $75

Trousers: Stretch Zion Short II (Prana) – $75

Cincture: Movement Harness (Wild Country) – $79.95

Accoutrements: Grigri (Petzl) – $139.95

Accoutrements: HMS Magnum Triple, Oasis (Edelrid) – $28

Footwear: Men’s Jasper Suede Sneakers (Keen) – $120

Ensemble: Total Cost – $577.85

This attire adds up to one very expensive wardrobe choice, but the good news is that it should last between 10-15 years.  That boils down to between $39 and $58 per year.  And with style and climbing going together, we can easily say that climbers put the height in high fashion!

High-Clip

I am the type of person that chooses comfort over look every time, and so like Carrot, no one is going to come knocking on my door for fashion advice. With that said, in the recent past, a lot of these outdoor companies have done a great job making comfortable clothing that doesn’t look half-bad. For me, the biggest issue I have with clothing is the texture. Cotton is great, and synthetics often make my skin crawl. Unfortunately, a lot of outdoor clothing tends to be synthetic, but you can find a couple of blends that don’t feel the worst. Here’s an ensemble that meets texture AND fashion standards:

Millinery: Mammut Wall Rider – $99.95

Chemise: Alpenglow Hoodie – Men’s (Black Diamond) – $95

Athletic Brassiere: Free to Be Bra – Wild (lululemon) – $48

Trousers: Hotty Hot Low-Rise Lined Short 2.5″ (lululemon) – $68

Cincture: Aquila Harness (Petzl) – $129.95

Accoutrements: Grigri (Petzl) – $139.95

Accoutrements: Regulock HMS Locking Carabiner (Trango) – $13.95

Footwear: Z-Trail EV (Xero) – $79.99

Ensemble: Total Cost – $674.79

That could be a little much for one outfit, but if this is peak fashion, then do you really need any other clothes?