Climbing Holds

Rock climbing holds are made of epoxy and fiberglass with fine silica sand for texture and friction. Synthetic rock climbing holds are the most popular, but wood and real rock holds can also be found. It is relatively easy to pick out a set of holds to target a specific climbing training need. Every type of climbing hold is available--slopers, crimpers, mono, jugs, jibs, ect.

Most climbers purchase climbing holds to use with their own home wall. Some put them up directly to the studs in their basement or garage wall. The climbing holds are probably the most expensive part of an indoor rock climbing wall construction project.

Popular indoor rock climbing holds:

• Crimper: Crimping is a way to grip a small hold with the thumb over the top of the fingertips which are pressing on the hold. A crimper is a hold just large enough for three or four fingers.
• Edge: Usually has a defined "edge", large enough for four fingers and a little bigger than a crimper.
• Handle (sometimes called ring): Shaped like a suitcase handle that can be gripped with the entire hand.
• Jib: These are small holds. They usually screw directly to the climbing wall. They are great for foot placement but can also be good for small hand holds. They usually have a non slip texture to them.
• Jug: This is a large hold easily gripped with the entire hand. It can also be a large hole that is easily and solidly gripped.
• Knob: Protrudes like a "door knob"
• Pincher: A thin hold designed to be "pinched". Usually two or three fingers on one side with the opposing thumb on the other.
• Pocket: The climbing hold has a hole usually big enough for one or two fingers.
• Roof Jug: Similar to a "jug" but designed for gripping upside down.
• Sidepull: This is similar to an under cling except turned on its side. The force is to the side with opposing pressure from the leg or other arm.
• Sloper: Size ranges from a few inches to a foot in length. Slopers are generally rounded and smooth in shape. The texture for slopers is usually mid-range in courseness. A hold is considered a sloper if the climber cannot wrap his/her fingers around the hold.
• Undercling: This type of hold is held from the bottom with upward pull. This technique is achieved by opposing pressure from legs or the other arm.

It is not difficult to make climbing holds. Holds can be easily made out of rock or wood. The best quality climbing holds are made from epoxy, fiberglass and sand. Here are some general steps to make your own holds.

To make a climbing hold:

1. Make a prototype shape: Use foam, clay, wood or any material that can be easily shaped. Create the shape of the hold but cutting the foam, clay or wood. Put the shape into a small cardboard box. The box should be nearly the same size as the mold. Seal any cracks in the box with glue.

2. Make a mold of the prototype. Prepare a silicone rubber mixture and pour it into the box. The rubber encapsulates the prototype. There are many silicone rubber products available for purchase. Purchase a liquid rubber such as Silicone, Polysulfide, and Polyurethane. These products are mixed as a liquid. The product hardens after time to form a rubber mold. Mix and pour the liquid rubber in the mold box. Completely cover the prototype with the liquid rubber. The liquid rubber will harden in approximately one day. Remove the rubber from the box. Remove the prototype from within the rubber. The rubber is left with a cavity. The cavity is the shape of the prototype climbing hold.

3. Make a climbing hold from the mold. Mix the epoxy/fiberglass/sand. Follow manufacturer's directions for mixing. Pour the epoxy resin into the cavity of the mold. Experiment with this process. You will be able to make very interesting climbing hold shapes for your climbing wall.

Climbing Hold Sets