Rockhopper's Gear Page

The gloves we prefer (that is, Mrs. Hopper and I), are pictured on the left. They are elastic fabric wiith rubber over the palms and fingers. They are cheap, light, and fairly tough, and much more supple than leather gloves.Back to top.

The coveralls to get, if you need them, are ballistic nylon. These run about $200 Canadian, and have two advantages. The first is that they are tough. The second is that they are slick, which helps on those long belly crawls. However, they are very hot and if you have trouble keeping cool, these are a hazard.

I met a caver who uses nomex coveralls, the type worn by USAF pilots, and liked them a lot. They're a little cheaper than ballistic nylon, and a little cooler. She's the only one I've seen wearing them, and I haven't been able to locate a set for myself, but I like the idea.

I can't recommend the cotton coveralls you get at Mark's Work Warehouse and similar stores. They are fine for their intended purpose, but that purpose isn't caving. They tend to bunch up, snag and bind. If they get wet, they stay wet, and you end up hauling an extra ten pounds of water around with you.

I never wear coveralls. The only time I've regretted the decision was coming out of Moira Cave, Ontario, and discovering that my pants were ripped belt to knee in front and back. That in itself wasn't as uncomfortable as the fact that it was a long walk back to the car with my underwear hanging out. Back to top.

There are specially made caver knee and elbow pads (pictured right) available through Bob and Bob's or other caver specialty stores. They are tough and functional, but make up for it by being expensive. And I find they don't stay in place very well (though people who wear coveralls and wear the pads under the coveralls don't have this problem).

Many people use rollerblading knee and elbow armour. I dislike it because they are hard and you can't feel the shape of the rock beneath them. This can be an issue when chimneying, but otherwise, isn't.

I use soccer knee pads, which cost about $10 Canadian and are easy to find. They do tend to wear out after a few trips on rough rock. I use a smaller size, thinner knee pad for elbow pads.

My wife found a thick neoprene wetsuit at Value Village for $6, and cut it up to make knee and elbow pads. These are thick and tough, and have the advantage of covering the sides of her joints as well. If you are lucky enough to score a used wetsuit for cheap, you might want to try it.

Don't get those pads used for gardening and concrete work. These are very good for protecting your knees when kneeling, but they aren't made for crawling and walking. You'll end up hating them Back to top.

Almost any helmet will do, though those with hooks and straps to keep headlamps in place are preferable. Avoid those with visors, because this casts a shadow from your head lamp and cuts visibility. Back to top.

But what about carbide? Carbide is a chemical which, when mixed with water, prdouces a flammable gas. In carbide lamps, the carbide is kept in one chamber, and the water drips into it slowly. The gas produced escapes through a hole in the front of the lamp, which is ignited. By controlling the rate of drip, you can control the size of the flame.

Carbide-users tend to sneer at battery users the way DOS-users tended to sneer at Macs in the eighties. Nothing makes you feel more like a real caver than using nineteenth century technology when something better is readily available.

The advantage of carbide is that it produces a very pretty light, it is awkward, bulky, expensive and possibly dangerous. The disadvantages are too numerous to recount. Current LED headlamps are cheaper and easier to use. The batteries last longer than carbide does, at a fraction of the weight and bulk. And if all of this weren't true, there is still a valid reason for rejecting carbide: I have never encountered little piles of batteries in a cave, but I have never been in a cave which did not have piles of used carbide.

If you love your carbide lamp, I don't want to lessen your enjoyment. Many better cavers than I prefer carbide. But it isn't carbide that makes them better cavers. If anything, it requires a better caver to make use of an awkward, anachronistic system.

If you're a new caver, get a battery lamp and don't let the old farts bother you. Just sit there smiling, ready to start caving, while they dink around with their fussy systems. Back to top.

I use a normal scoliosis bag, which is good for dry caves. However in wet caves, water tends to pour in and trickle out, which is irritating.

And speaking of irritating, there is this bag pictured on the right. It is especially designed for cavers, presumably by a person who disliked cavers. It's closure is ineffective, the straps are misplaced. The whole system is completely stupid. Don't be misled. Don't get one. Back to top.

I have nothing against nudity. It looks great on some people. But because of a scheduling problem or something, these people weren't at the Sinks of Gandy. Instead of seeming uninhibited and free-spirited, our nude cavers just seemed immature, along the lines of guys who ignite their farts with a cigarette lighter. But no one said you have to be mature to be a caver. If nude caving is your thing, have fun.

If you do decide on other clothes, go for something that won't bind you or get shredded on the rocks. If cold is an issue, Polypro® socks and long underwear are useful. A fleece vest will also keep you warm. Jeans aren't the best choice, and sweat pants are just stupid. If you wear pants with an elastic waistband, you'll be wearing them around your knees at the end of those long belly crawls. Again, if that's you're thing, have fun. Back to top.

However, if you have a tendency to overheat, don't put it on until absolutely necessary, or you will pass out with the first sustained exertion. Back to top.

Unfortunately, I can't give you much advice here, because it's a fairly serious matter, and I just don't know enough.

Talk to any experienced vertical caver and they will emphatically tell a lot of facts about vertical gear. In all likelihood, some of it will be true, and it's just as likely that you won't have any idea which is true and which isn't. I had a very experienced caver tell me that a six inch fall using a grigri for a braking device would sever the rope. That isn't merely ignorant, it's ludicrous.

Do lots of research. On Rope is the best place to start. Take the attitude that a misinformed choice could cost the lives of you and your fellow cavers. Back to top.