8 Creative Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Climber Moms
All I want for Mother’s Day this year is … a lot of things. My list is so long and lofty that I will probably not give it to my partner, and hope that he can read my mind—or this post!
As a mom of a seven-year-old and a four-year-old, I can tell you that the best Mother’s Day climber gifts probably vary, depending on what stage of motherhood she’s at (and of course, what type of climbing she does). A couple years ago, I was in pure survival mode and could’ve used some postpartum training support and gear to manage my kids at the crag. These days, I’m finally setting some goals again and want gear that will help me level up my performance.
On this list, I include Mother’s Day gift ideas for climbers with little ones and older kids alike, as well as some ideas that any mom would love.
A rope that will last
Most moms don’t have time to replace gear more frequently than absolutely necessary. So this year, give her the rope we dubbed most durable in our 2025 rope roundup: the Mammut 9.5 Alpine Core Protect. She will also be stoked that this rope is—in alpine tester Anthony Walsh’s opinion—one of the safest on the market right now, thanks to its internal aramid sheath that makes it both resistant to cuts and long-lasting. Right now, the Alpine Core Protect is 25% off ($217.46 total) at Backcountry.
Shop Mammut Alpine Core Protect
Mom-specific training
Pregnancy and motherhood can take a toll on climbing mojo. Help her get it back through a training program with the bona fide expert in postpartum climbing: Joy Black. A mom of three, Black offers training resources and programs for pregnant climbers, postpartum climbers, and moms who may not be “postpartum” anymore, but are still trying to get their groove back.
Lattice Training also offers consultations for postpartum climbers, as well as flexible training plans that might be better suited for busy parents than their typical offerings.
Note: I have not personally tried out any of these training programs, but I have heard great things about Black’s mom-focused training.
Shop Joy Black’s Training Programs
This high-performance, all-arounder climbing shoe
Once kids’ gear gets into the mix, it can be hard to keep track of your own. Get her a shoe that will perform on just about anything she’s climbing. Our 2025 all-arounder shoe pick is the Scara Arpia V ($169). Our testers found it delivered on everything from thin cracks and slab routes to microscopic edges. It also proved to be more comfortable than similar workhorse shoes, so she can fully enjoy every moment out there.
Pro tip: Check the size of her current climbing shoes and do a little research to see whether her current shoes might run big or small. If you’re going off her street shoe size, Scarpa recommends downsizing between a half and two full sizes.
A haul-your-kids-to-the-crag approach shoe
If the mom on your gift list is carrying kids and/or all their stuff to the crag, she’s going to need a good approach shoe. Chacos, as I’ve learned the hard way, often just won’t cut it.
Keep her sure-footed on the scree fields and steady on steep terrain with our most durable approach shoe pick of 2025: the La Sportiva TX4 EVO ($169). Our female tester praised the TX4 EVO’s supportive footbed, grip, and versatility on any type of approach, from mellow trails and slab to easy pitches. This also makes this shoe a good option for moms taking their kids on easy routes, where a technical rock shoe isn’t quite necessary.
Some good feminist climbing reads
Thankfully, there are more than just a select few reads in the women’s climbing genre these days. I’ve got a few recs for climbing moms from some of the books I’ve read this year.
One is the new memoir Enough by Melissa Arnot Reid—a tell-all tale of her journey into the world of guiding and mountaineering (read an excerpt and my interview with her here). Reid is also now a mom of two who balances childcare with her partner, who is also a guide.
I also loved Thirty Below, which recounts the first all-female summit of Denali back in 1970. Author Cassidy Randall says “there remains a void of strong and complex women in the canon”—and her new book does a beautiful job addressing that void.
Lastly, I finally got around to reading Lynn Hill’s memoir Climbing Free: My Life in the Vertical World this year. I couldn’t put this book down. Hill shares some gripping stories, and it’s so inspiring to get a window into Hill’s first foray into climbing, how her passion developed, and how she became such a pioneer in the climbing world for women and men alike.
Climbing org memberships/donations
Does the crag mom in your life have a cause she’s passionate about? Whether it’s access issues, protecting public lands, making the sport of climbing more inclusive, or supporting your local climbing community, find an organization that aligns with her values and gift her a membership. You could also make a donation of any amount in her honor. Below are a few nonprofits to start with.
Gift Public Lands Foundation Membership
Gift Brown Girls Climb Membership
Shelter for little ones at the crag
This one’s for the climbing moms of babies and little ones. If you want to bring an infant, a crawling baby, or an unwieldy toddler to the crag or bouldering area, you need a safe, confined, and comfortable environment for them. The Veer Basecamp Shelter ($129) is a great option. Setup and take down is easy, since it packs away into a bag with shoulder straps. This mini tent helps keep the elements at bay with UPF 50+ sun protection, water-resistant materials, and breathable materials that keep the air flowing and the kids happy.
Pro tip: If you’re stashing toddlers in this shelter, bring coloring books and other activities to keep them happy and busy.
Crag nanny
Kidding, not kidding. Most crag moms I know really just want some uninterrupted climb time, whether you hang with the kids for a day to let her get out, or hire a crag nanny. You could also just book a babysitter and leave the kiddos behind until they’re ready for it. Because is there really any better gift out there for moms who climb—or just moms in general—than time to do what they love?
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