Via ferrata for beginners: Required equipment
Via ferrata for beginners: Required equipment
You've probably heard of via ferrata. But what does it even mean?
Via Ferata in Italian means iron path. Which means that the path is so demanding, steep or exposed that it is equipped with steel cables that help us with protection. Despite the protection on the steel cables, good physical fitness is still recommended for via ferratas. Via ferratas are marked with letters according to the difficulty, so before you go on a via ferrata, check what the estimated difficulty is and whether it is suitable for you. On via ferratas, we generally only climb, and for the descent we find an easier route, thus not hindering others who are climbing.
Required equipment:
Mandatory equipment is definitely a self-belay kit . With a self-belay kit, we attach ourselves to a steel cable. All self-belay kits are similar to each other. In the event of a severe fall, when this causes the indicator to break, the self-belay kit is no longer useful, and a new one must be purchased. They differ in weight and attachment system. In our online store you can find two self-belay kits for adults and one for children, namely:
1. Skylotec Duro self-belay kit
2. Petzl Scorpio Vertigo Self Belay Kit
3. Children's self-protection kit
Climbing belt
The self-belay kit is attached to a climbing harness. You can choose one that is designed only for via ferratas. Typical for such harnesses is that they do not have many loops for equipment and are simple, and are not lined, we have it just "just in case" and we do not hang on it, like with sport climbing harnesses. However, if you also like to go to the climbing area, then you can also use a sport climbing harness for via ferratas.
You can get both versions from us:
2. Black Diamond Momentum Women's Climbing Harness
3. Black Diamond Momentum Men's Climbing Harness
Helmets
We also need to protect our heads, so a helmet is also mandatory equipment.
Hiking shoes
It is also important to have suitable hiking shoes . Usually, low-cut hiking shoes, such as:
Other equipment
It is recommended that you always carry a first aid kit with you.
For your first via ferrata, we recommend the one in Mojstrana. However, if you are not confident in your skills, it is best to choose a quick via ferrata course and learn the basics and climbing techniques there in one day.
We wish you many via ferrata adventures, and good luck!