Support Locally Owned Businesses This Christmas: Our top picks for under $100
Shop local this Christmas. There’s no better time to support the small businesses and creative minds behind some of Australia and New Zealand’s homegrown brands.
Looking to shop local this Christmas? There’s no better time to support the small businesses and creative minds behind some of Australia and New Zealand’s homegrown brands.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite small businesses, each offering great climbing related gifts under $100. From clever creations to unique climbing-inspired goodies, these are our top picks for Christmas gifting, while putting your dollars towards the independent makers, entrepreneurs and the faces behind the brands.
Crux Gear
Crux Gear team Tia Wishhart, Kalian Barnes and Rijan Young.
Meet Tia Wishart, Rijan Young and Kalian Barnes, the three climbing friends from north-east Victoria now behind Crux Gear. As climbers and climbing gym owners themselves, they’re passionate about creating practical training tools designed by climbers, for climbers. Taking over from founders Neil and Karina, they’re carrying the Crux Gear legacy forward while bringing fresh energy to the brand.
Instagram: @crux_gear
Top Picks:
Phone Stone – $19.95
Mono Pebble Iso Finger Trainer – $14.95
Quad Block Multi Grip Trainer – $59.95
Pebble Wrestling Club Tee – $59.95
Club Strong
Club Strong founders Penny and Luke Weatherstone
Luke and Penny Weatherstone are passionate climbers, adventurers and the founders of Club Strong, an Australian-owned business built from their love of climbing and the community that surrounds it. As climbers themselves, they understand the physical challenges, dedication and strength that the sport demands. What began as a shared passion evolved into a business with a simple goal: to help climbers become stronger, improve their grip and push their personal limits. Combining their love of the outdoors with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Instagram: @club_strong
Top Picks:
After Climb Balm – $15.00 AUD
Forearm Pumper – $14.95 AUD
Gym Rings – $64.95 AUD
Powder Chalk – $14.95 AUD
Druid Holds
Druid Holds creator, Ben Dalby
Ben Dalby is the maker behind DruidHolds, shaping wood into climbing holds and training gear. He’s been climbing for 12 years and has worked in just about every corner of the industry: gym staff, coach, route setter, wall builder and, of course, hold shaper. That mix of experience shapes every hold he makes, and his stoke for the sport and it’s community hasn’t dropped one bit.
Instagram: @druidholds
Top Picks:
Climbing Holds – Various prices
Vulture Crimp Trainers – $12.00 AUD each
Raven Mini Portable Hangboard – $82.50 AUD
Crimp Wrestler V2 – $99.00 AUD
Awesome Chalk Bags
Fiona Williams, the creative mind behind Awesome Chalk Bags
Fiona Williams first started rock climbing at age 43 when her partner introduced her to the amazing rock at Dyurrite/Mount Arapiles. Safe to say, she got hooked. Awesome Chalk Bags started when Fiona wanted a unique chalk bag, and couldn’t find one, so she made one out of her favourite penguin toy. In the process she discovered that making chalk bags was fun, and that other people wanted unique climbing companions as well. 12 years later she’s made over ten thousand chalk bags and sent them all around the world.
Instagram: @awesomechalkbags
Top Picks:
Angler Lantern Fish Chalk Bag – $88.00 AUD
Embroidered Sugar Glider Chalk Bag – $40.00 AUD
Goanna Lizard Chalk Bag – $100 AUD
Kookaburra Chalk Bag – $88.00 AUD
Send On Upcycling
Upcycling creative and owner of Send On Upcycling, Tegan Luker
Brisbane-based climber, outdoor guide and maker Tegan Luker is giving retired climbing gear a new lease on life through her business, Send On Upcycling. Combining her passion for climbing with a creative streak and a commitment to sustainability, Tegan transforms old harnesses and ropes into unique, handmade products. Her range includes satchels made from retired harnesses, rope plant hangers, macramé bags, coasters, bracelets and more. It’s her creative way to keep perfectly good materials out of landfill while giving old gear a new purpose.
Instagram: @sendonupcycling
Top Picks:
Small Zippered Pouch – $35.00 AUD
Mini Harness Satchels – $90.00 AUD
Rope Core Hat Hanger – $45.00 AUD
Triple Rope Belts – $60.00 AUD
You can read more about Tegan in our feature article Second Life: Climbing Gear Reimagined.
Lead.Vic
Sam Gibbs, The face behind Lead.Vic
Bendigo-based climber and outdoor educator Sam Gibbs started LEAD VIC during the Covid lockdowns after turning an old climbing rope into a dog lead. What began as a simple DIY project has grown into a small upcycling business transforming retired climbing ropes into dog leads, belts, keychains and other everyday accessories. Each piece is handmade, retaining the colours, scuffs and character of its previous life on the wall. With a focus on reducing waste and giving old gear a second life, Sam creates practical, one-of-a-kind products that carry a little climbing history with them.
Instagram: @lead.vic
Top Picks:
Upcycled Belts – $40.00 AUD
Upcycled Dog Leads – from $34.00 AUD
Upcycled Keychains – $15.00 AUD
You can read more about Sam in our feature article Second Life: Climbing Gear Reimagined.
Quantum
Hidden in between that gear is Quantum founder, Tom Fraser
Tom Fraser is the founder of Quantum, an experimental climbing workshop based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand. Combining his passions for climbing, sewing and photography, he creates upcycled chalk bags and buckets from retired materials such as sails, canvas and tents, while giving retired climbing ropes a second life as belts, keychains and camera straps. Quantum is a creative space for experimentation, sustainability and making functional products with a climbing-inspired twist.
Instagram: @quantum
Top Picks:
Recycled Rope Camera Straps – $30.00 NZD
Gen 4 Chalk Bag – $57.00 NZD
Recycled Rope Keychains – $10.00 NZD
Recycled Rope Belts – $34.00 NZD
Storm Shadow
Stormshadow founder, Matt Chapman
Matt Chapman is the founder of Stormshadow, an independent New Zealand outdoor gear brand creating bright, fun and seriously over-engineered equipment. With a background in search and rescue, Coastguard and river guiding, Matt designs and handmakes small-batch gear inspired by his love of climbing, kayaking, mountain biking and mountaineering. His focus is on durable, functional equipment made with quality materials and plenty of personality.
Instagram: @stormshadowco
Top Picks:
Compact Grab Bag – $99.00 NZD
Compact Zipper Pouch – $60.00 NZD
Crampon Bag – $99.00 NZD
Harness Phone Pouch – $49.00 NZD
Climb Culture
Climbing Couple and Climb Culture founders, Corey Low and Caitie Saltmarsh
Founded in 2019 by climbing couple Corey Low and Caitie Saltmarsh, Climb Culture began as a fundraising campaign supporting girls in underprivileged villages in Nepal. It has since grown into an independent climbing lifestyle brand, creating apparel and accessories featuring designs by climbing artists from around the world.
Instagram: @climbcultureau
Top Picks:
Koala Climber Unisex Tee – $60.00 AUD
Gear Soup Unisex Tee – $60.00 AUD
Hand Jam Enamel Pin – $18.00 AUD
Clip or Whip Sticker – $3.00 AUD
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