Woman Tops

Wear whatever you want to climb in. Whatever makes you feel comfortable is best. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Having said that, we do make climbing clothing and feel that choosing a good top can help you to climb comfortably and confidently. Our design team works to give our climbing T-shirts, tanks and long-sleeves certain advantages when it comes to freedom of movement, reliability and durability.

For summer climbing, when it comes to women’s climbing T-shirts and tops, choose something breathable, sweat-wicking and long enough to fit comfortably under a harness. Maybe you already own a fitness T-shirt or top from another sport that is suitable. Avoid super-tight clothing that will restrict your movement. Go for something flexible, but not too baggy that won’t get in the way. Some fabrics also come with UV protection. We recommend responsibly-produced sustainable fabrics, such as organic cotton. Wild Country is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation for this very reason – the independent non-profit organisation works with brands to improve labour conditions in the clothing industry.

In winter, you can wear the same T-shirts and tops as you wear for summer climbing with a long-sleeved base layer underneath to help keep you warm. A solid base layer top is probably one of the most important pieces in your outdoor wardrobe. It sits next to your skin, underneath your mid-layer, such as a fleece jacket. It keeps moisture off your skin and you comfortable in the process. You can also wear it as a warmer stand-alone throughout the year. For winter training at the climbing wall or boulder gym, pack a second layer.

A tank top is a great option for climbing in warmer weather, airflow will not be an issue. They are often made of stretch fabric that can cope with a lot of wear without losing its form-fitting shape. Some tanks come with a built-in sports bra, some tanks have removable interior cups, so you can wear ‘em without a sports bra.

Talking of sports bras. Although rock climbing is a pretty low impact sport, you may want to wear a climbing-specific sports bra for more support when climbing or for the walk-ins. Regular sports bras can be a bit restrictive at the upper back, so look for stretchy fabrics and avoid anything that restricts you in this area.