PPE – The kit you need!

Just wanted to make a quick post claryfying what kit you need to compete in the STS! We have some limited kit at some venues but don’t rely on it without checking with the venue or with us!

If you have no kit and want to take part email me (neil@scottishtoolingseries.co.uk) and i will try and get you fixed up with some kit.

Boots

We have made a change to the rule below hence B2 is now the minimum boot requirement!

VI. Stiff soled mountain boots are to be used by all adult competitors, and they must be rated by the manufacturer at 4 seasons or B2 as a minimum. Flexible soled boots, hybrids or crampon-less fruit-boots cannot be used.

Junior competitors can wear rock shoes or 4 season boots at their discretion!

EDIT:

Updated boot rules as of STS 2011

 

Gloves

Winter climbers love glove chat and if you do too then here are a couple of articles on the subject:

Andy Kirkpatrick on UKC

UKC Forums

For dry tooling at the comps the rules don’t specify glove type but I would recommend either a lightweight cycling glove or a dedicated dry tooling glove such as the Outdoor Research Pilot.

Helmet

You need a helmet to protect you from falling axes and falling climbers with axes! This can just be any standard climbing helmet. If you have a helmet with a visor or grill then you can kill two birds with one stone and

use this as your eye protection aswell as your head protection.

Eye Protection

If you don’t have eye protection on your helmet you will need some safety glasses. These need to be simple safety glasses like you used to have to wear in chemistry at school! If you like you can use ski goggles.

Axes

Axes with adze, hammer and spikes need to be padded to protect from the obvious danger when pinging off holds. Please tape up your axes before you arrive as this will save time on the day. Tennis balls and squash balls work really well for this but worst case you can do a good job with gaffa tape and some cardboard!

Crampons

Crampons are only required for Glenmore lodge and Ice factor