Are you looking to get something nice for that lady with whom you share a rope? The woman who has tirelessly belayed you on your project, provided chalk when you ran out, and always has an extra bar when you were bonking? Whether she’s Bestie or Bea, show her some love. Here are some picks that I will personally guarantee will make her smile.

Spirit Animal Chalk Bag

Chalk bags have always been climbers’ personal bit of flair, a little self-expressive tassel to hang over your tush. Help your lady friend express her inner spirit animal with a Metolius Wildlife Chalk Bag. Is she a stubborn ram, soft-pawed bobcat or possibly a cougar? Me, I’m a she-wolf all the way. Beyond the amazing cover art, this is a nice deep, fleece-lined chalk bag with a secure brush holder and tight closure. But let’s be honest, it’s really all about style with this one.

A Sweet Little Pocket Knife

Growing up, my brother seemed to get an endless stream of swiss army knives gifted to him, and I was always jealous. Make it up to a lady who never got a shiny blade of her own. My pick is the Opinel No8 Outdoor. It feels secure in my hand and the blade is sized well for slicing an apple or sharpening a s’mores stick. Plus the serrated portion is great for sawing the end off a beat-up rope. The locking mechanism kept it securely closed in my pack but was easy to operate so I wasn’t nervous that I’d slice my own finger getting it shut. 

A Really Rad Lunchbox

It makes me really happy to have a nice little box of perfectly packed snacks at the crag. I’ve tried a lot of lunch-toting methods over the years, but the The Eco Lunchbox 3-in-1 Splash Box is by far the best option I’ve found. 

This stacking bento box is especially nice because it lashes closed with sturdy tabs so it didn’t burst open inside my pack. Although it looks small, I find It’s just the right size for a full day of food if I pack it well. The burly stainless steel has withstood many clumsy fumbles onto rock without a dent. And, I love the 100% silicone lids, they’re plastic free and don’t leak even when filled with my favorite crag snack and potential pack-bomb: plain yogurt. 

Jeans for Climbing

These are the jeans that lady climbers dream of. No joke, I put them on and immediately did the splits. They stretch for days. The fit is secure yet comfortable, they didn’t sag out and according to my spotters, they made my ass look great. Boulder Denim 2.0 comes in a women’s straight or skinny fit, personally I prefer a straight leg. The weight is warm enough for chilly winter days, but not too heavy if the sun comes out… aka perfect. These run true to size. 

Something One of a Kind

If you can’t get creative, someone else sure can. Support an artist or artisan with your gifting dollars and buy something unique. I love the functional pottery that my friend and artist/climber Sarah Clark makes. We met in Squamish a few years back, her perfectionism shows in her climbing and her art. Check out her Hueco Tanks mask mugs, the perfect size for sipping an espresso while wishing you were actually at Hueco Tanks. Hit her up with a DM on the ‘gram @clarky_co or email her clarkyco.handmade@gmail.com to order. 

Better Underwear

A wool baselayer is like a christmas sweater that I actually want. Black Diamond’s Solution 150 Merino Base Crew and Bottom are made of NuYarn which is a wool/polyester blend. It’s stretchier and dries much faster than other wool long johns I’ve worn and it doesn’t stink like the polypropylene of yore. It also has held up much better to many, many washings without any piling or shrinking. BD has given humble long underwear a nice upgrade.