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Actually knowledge and experience is more important than equipment when it comes to rock climbing. Equipment needs are pretty basic, but knowing how to evaluate rock characteristics, how and where to place anchors, what types of knots to use in various situations, how to rappel down a rock face, how to deal with inclement weather that comes up suddenly when you are 1500 feet above the ground, etc, etc is even more important than the equipment you will use. Remember, this is one of those sports, like skydiving or deep sea diving, where a small mistake could easily cost you your life. If you fall from a rock face above 25 or 30 feet you will likely die or suffer serious bodily damage. Therefore it would be foolhardy to just buy some gear and start climbing without acquiring the necessary knowledge and experience. I would strongly recommend that you take a few lessons from a professional before you start climbing on your own. I think you will be surprised at how much you need to learn before you can climb safely on your own.

For indoor, you will need only some basic stuff. First, you he will need a harness. Petzl and Black Diamond make good harnesses that are relatively inexpensive. Singing Rock also makes good stuff in the harness department. Plan on spending 60-100 dollars on this.

Next, he will needs shoes. Since he’s climbing indoors, you don’t really need to get great, expensive shoes because gym walls seem to tear shoes up pretty fast if you’re not careful. Evolv makes some pretty good shoes for the gym. Five Ten makes some good stuff, and La Sportiva is also makes a good shoe, but their stuff is a bit more expensive. Mad Rock is another company that makes cheaper shoes, but I find them to be very uncomfortable. Some people will say you need to buy the smallest shoe that you can fit you’re foot in, but unless you are climbing super hard routes, this is not true. You just don’t want the shoe to move on your foot. I wear 2 sizes smaller than my street shoe, but it’s still pretty comfortable. Anywhere from 50-150 dollars.

Next, you he will want a chalk bag. This is easy to buy, just get one he can fit his hand in, but that is usually not a problem. Most medium bags are great for just about anybody. 20 bucks at most.

Next, get a belay device and a locking belay carabiner. Beginners should use an ATC belay device rather than a Grigri belay device. Make sure you get a belay specific locking carabiner too. A belay biner with a screwgate will suffice. you can buy an ATC and a locking belay biner for 20-30 dollars. I’d recommend getting Black Diamond for both.

After you get this, you’re pretty much good to go in the gym. Comfortable clothes are a must, and maybe some athletic tape for when he tears the fingers up on those boulder problems.

It can get expensive, but much of the equipment on a climbers rack is meant to keep the climber from getting seriously injured or being killed, so we can’t afford to be buying cheaply made gear.

And Black Diamond sells packages that include a harness, chalk bag, belay device, locking carabiner, and a bag to carry everything in. You can save money this way. These are around 100 dollars. Go to your local outdoors store like REI, or you can look on the internet. REI has a small but decent selection of climbing gear. Zappos has some climbing shoes at good prices, and their shipping is free.

Oh, and he will need to leave any hubris at the entrance. Climbing is dangerous, and it is the responsibility of every climber to learn the safety techniques to be practiced on every outing. The climbing gym should offer courses in this. Nobody should climb without instruction from a certified guide, or a seasoned and experienced climber. Have fun and be safe.

most important you need one of those huge mattresses in case you fall.

Before you start anything take belay lessons at the gym. Climbing is much more complicated than it appears. Don’t worry about ropes or lead gear - you’ll learn to use that stuff months or years down the road. To start out with get a pair of shoes and a chalk bag.

Shoes have a very personal fit - your husband really needs to be the one to try them on. Street shoe/running shoe size is only a starting point - some climbers like a looser shoe, some a tighter. I wear size 11 running shoes and size 9 climbing shoes. Don’t buy online until you figure out which style and size you prefer.(~$60-$120)

Chalk bags are pretty basic (~$20). They aren’t essential but nice to have. Get a chalk ball as well ($4) most gyms don’t allow loose chalk.

If you’re looking to do more than bouldering, get a harness. I would recommend any standard sit-in harness from Mammut, Petzl, and Black Diamond. Don’t get an alpine harness - they aren’t comfortable for extended hangs. Again, go to a store and see what fits comfortably(~$40-$90).

You may need a belay device. Your two options are either an assisted locking device (I.E. Petzl Gri-Gri ~$95) or a simple device (I.E. an ATC ~20). You will also need a large locking carabiner (I.E. Black Diamond RockLock ~$12, Omega Pacific Jake ~$15, Petzl Attache ~$12)

keep it simple! go for a DMM harness (cheap, light, durable) shoes wise i would probably go for mad rock, also quite light, very durable, reasonably cheap with a good heel for beginners. That’s all you really need but i would also go for a chalk bag, just go for a CHEAP one and remember a small clip for clipping on to the harness, and a Karabiner and belay, just remembering that more expensive isn’t necessarily better yet don’t go for cheap and nasty, get it about the middle. When equipment needs replacing, which it inevitably will at some point, you will have a much better idea of what you are looking for (try to get equipment that will be functional outdoors too because that’s where you’ll be moving to next)