I am a beginner and would like to start climbing. What are the best brands and what does the community recommend for someone in my position? What should I buy? We have a climbing gym in town and they have small and tall walls and I have a boulder outside the housing complex where I live.
For a beginner gym climber you really want shoes, harness, a belay device and a locking carabiner - that's about it (and maybe a chalk bag).
For shoes, it's all about fit - there are a number of good brands (evolv, la spprtiva, butora, 5.10, scarpa), but it all depends on your foot shape. Find a store where you can try many and talk to the people there to help you find a good fit.
Belay device - you have two main type - tube devices (BD ATC) or assisted devices (grigri). There are pros and cons to each, and many people would recommend a grigri for beginners.
The BD momentum harness is petty decent relatively cheap option for beginners. In addition to BD, other brands are petzl, arxteryx, mammut.
Edit: climb first with gym rental equipment for a bit to gain more experience and decide whether you want to stick with it
JaxonLincoln JaxonLincoln wrote: I am a beginner and would like to start climbing. What are the best brands and what does the community recommend for someone in my position? What should I buy? We have a climbing gym in town and they have small and tall walls and I have a boulder outside the housing complex where I live.
Your most important piece of gear is a GOOD mentor!
Then rent the gym's equipment for a while so you don't end up buying 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, harness, belay device until you figure out what suits you best.