Required Via Ferrata
Safety Equipment
5 Essential Items You Need for Safe Via Ferrata Adventures
5 Essential Items You Need for Safe Via Ferrata Adventures
Setting out on an exciting via ferrata adventure requires the right equipment to ensure your safety and enhance your overall experience. In this guide, we’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist of the essential gear you’ll need for a successful via ferrata climb. As an added convenience, we’ve included affiliate links for each item so you can easily access, check prices, and purchase the recommended products.
The goal of this article is to give you the knowledge and understanding you need to choose the right gear for your via ferrata adventures. We’ll provide insight into the purpose and importance of each piece of gear, as well as tips for proper use, maintenance, and care. We will also provide links to the gear we use ourselves, so you can see what our gear looks like when we go on one of these adventures. So let’s dive in and explore each piece of kit:
A via ferrata-specific harness is designed to distribute your weight evenly and provide comfort during vertical ascents and descents. Although they are becoming less common you can still find some manufacturers that make them. If you opt for this, look for a harness with secure attachment points, adjustable leg loops, and plenty of padding for extended wear.
Alternatively, you can use a climbing harness. Climbing harnesses generally prioritize durability and freedom of movement over excessive padding. While they still provide comfort, the padding is generally less than that of via ferrata harnesses because climbers typically spend less time hanging from their harnesses during climbing activities. Keep in mind that many companies make harnesses specifically for women. In our case, Naomi uses a Petzl Selena harness. These harnesses are designed with a longer rise, an adjusted waistbelt/leg loop ratio, and provide optimal support and freedom of movement on the rock.
It’s also worth noting that while some harnesses are designed specifically for via ferrata or climbing, there are also hybrid harnesses that can be used for both activities. These hybrid harnesses aim to provide a balance between the features required for both via ferrata and climbing. One such example is the harness I chose to use: The Petzl Corax. The Petzl Corax is a versatile and adjustable harness that can handle just about anything you can throw at it.
Via ferrata lanyards are specialized safety devices designed to connect you to the safety cables installed along via ferrata routes. They typically consist of two energy absorbing arms attached to an energy absorber pack and equipped with carabiners at each end. The lanyard arms and energy absorber are attached to your harness, while the carabiners are used to attach to the safety cables as you progress along the route.
Initially, via ferrata climbers used static lanyards made of nylon or rope, which lacked shock-absorbing capabilities. As safety standards improved, elastic, energy-absorbing lanyards were introduced, reducing the impact forces on the climber and the anchor points. Eventually, the Y-shaped lanyard design emerged, with two elasticized branches connecting to the climber’s harness and a central attachment point for the via ferrata anchor.
Modern Y-shaped via ferrata lanyards often include built-in shock absorbers and innovative mechanisms for easy adjustment, improving safety and usability for via ferrata climbers. Y-shaped lanyards provide freedom of movement and are the most commonly used type of via ferrata lanyard, while also serving several important purposes:
The energy absorber/shock absorber is a critical component of via ferrata lanyards, serving as a safety mechanism to reduce the impact force on your body in the event of a fall. It is designed to absorb and dissipate the energy generated during a fall. When a fall occurs, the shock absorber deploys by stretching or tearing the webbing, activating a controlled deceleration process. This helps to minimize the impact force on your body and prevent serious injury.
Energy absorbers used in via ferrata lanyards should comply with relevant safety standards, such as UIAA or EN standards, and should be inspected regularly for any signs of damage, such as cuts, abrasions or deformation. If damage is detected, the energy absorber should be replaced immediately. In addition, energy absorbers have a limited lifespan and should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, even if there is no visible damage.
Remember that via ferrata lanyards and their energy absorbers are designed to be used as a complete system with other appropriate equipment, such as a via ferrata harness and helmet. Always put your safety first and follow proper climbing techniques and guidelines when engaging in via ferrata activities.
Protect your head from falling debris and potential impacts by wearing a durable climbing helmet. There used to be helmets designed specifically for via ferrata with adjustable straps and plenty of ventilation designed to keep you comfortable during strenuous climbs.
However, in recent years the lines have been blurred and so we generally recommend climbing helmets. Climbing helmets are designed for various types of climbing, including traditional climbing, sport climbing, bouldering, and alpine climbing, and share many similarities in construction with via ferrata helmets of old.
Climbing helmets are essential pieces of safety equipment that protect your head during various climbing activities. It’s important to choose a helmet that meets safety standards, fits well, and provides adequate coverage.
Via ferratas often involve gripping metal cables and rock surfaces. Investing in a pair of sturdy, fingerless climbing gloves will provide better grip, protect your hands, and reduce friction. Look for gloves with reinforced palms and knuckles for increased durability.
Climbing gloves are designed to protect your hands from the various hazards and discomforts of climbing. They provide a layer of protection against abrasions, cuts, blisters and friction burns that can occur when gripping metal cables, rocks or sharp edges. A good example is the excellent Black Diamond Crag gloves that are part of Naomi’s kit.
Gloves with textured palms or rubberized materials provide enhanced grip, allowing you to securely hold onto the metal cables and other handholds along the via ferrata route. This improves your control and stability while climbing, especially on difficult or steep sections.
Climbing gloves are typically designed to maintain finger dexterity, allowing you to handle carabiners, operate equipment, and perform intricate movements while climbing. Gloves with pre-curved fingers or stretchy materials offer greater flexibility and freedom of movement. I use Mechanix gloves, specifically the M-Pact 2 series, because they have a layer of Kevlar in the palm, which helps when belaying or rappelling.
Also, don’t forget to look for gloves with breathable fabrics or vents that allow air to circulate. This will help manage moisture and keep your hands dry during intense climbing activities.
Choose sturdy, close-to-the-ground footwear with good traction and ankle support. Look for hiking shoes or boots with a stiff sole that provides stability and protection against sharp rocks and uneven terrain.
Choosing the right footwear is essential for via ferrata climbing, as it provides the necessary grip, support, and protection for your feet. Here are some footwear considerations:
Approach shoes are a popular choice for via ferrata climbing because of their versatility and performance on mixed terrain. They offer a balance between hiking boots and climbing shoes, providing good traction on rocky surfaces and a more flexible and comfortable fit for longer approaches. Look for shoes with sticky rubber soles that provide excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces. This will help you maintain stability and confidence as you ascend and descend the via ferrata.
Hiking boots are usually made of durable materials and provide solid support for your feet and ankles. This construction helps protect against impact from rocks or metal rungs that you may encounter on the via ferrata route. Hiking boots generally provide ankle support, which is especially helpful on uneven or challenging terrain. Via ferratas may involve traversing exposed areas or scrambling over rocky sections, and the ankle support in hiking boots helps increase stability and reduce the risk of twisting or spraining an ankle.
Climbing shoes are designed to be low-cut and flexible, allowing for maximum sensitivity and toe maneuverability on vertical rock faces. However, via ferratas often involve traversing exposed and rugged terrain where ankle support is critical. The use of climbing shoes for via ferratas is generally not recommended. While climbing shoes provide excellent sensitivity, precision and grip on rock surfaces, it’s generally recommended to opt for approach shoes or hiking boots, which provide better overall protection, support and versatility for via ferrata climbing.
Hiking boots can be suitable for many via ferrata routes. It’s important to consider the difficulty level and technical aspects of the specific via ferrata you plan to tackle. For more challenging or technical routes that involve overhanging sections, vertical climbs, or require precise foot placement, specialized climbing shoes or approach shoes with sticky rubber soles may be more appropriate. Remember to break in your via ferrata shoes before embarking on longer or more challenging climbs to ensure optimal comfort and minimize the risk of blisters or discomfort. It’s always a good idea to prioritize safety and choose footwear specifically designed for outdoor activities and suitable for via ferrata climbing.
Equipping yourself with the right gear is paramount to a safe and enjoyable via ferrata experience. By following this comprehensive checklist and investing in quality equipment, you’ll be well prepared to tackle the challenges of via ferrata. Please note that while the above content provides general recommendations for via ferrata equipment, it’s important to do your research and select equipment that meets your specific needs and preferences. Remember, safety should always be your first priority. Happy climbing!
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