If you've ever wondered how to use chalk for sport climbing or bouldering, this article is for you!
If you are new to climbing, you may have noticed that everyone around you has a small bag attached to their waist that hangs from their back while they climb. You should know that this “mysterious” bag is filled with chalk and climbers apply it to their hands to have more friction and a better grip.
But what is it and how does it work?
The technical name is magnesium carbonate and the high-performance one for athletes easily absorbs moisture from the hands, preventing them from becoming slippery due to sweat. The goal is clear: having dry hands is essential for climbing safely, both in the mountains and in the gym!
It is important to know that using chalk for climbing does not simply mean covering your hands and going. There are several mistakes to avoid, let's see together which ones and how to best use chalk.
First of all, you should not use too much of it while climbing: applying too much reduces the friction between your hands and the rock face, increasing the risk of slipping and falling, which is why you sometimes see climbers blowing on their hands just before holding on to the wall.
This is precisely why climbers prefer to carry bags of chalk with them when they climb: the ability to apply it when needed can make all the difference.
Lately, especially in indoor places like gyms, it is becoming mandatory to use liquid chalk . The reason is easy to explain: it produces very little dust in the air and has sanitizing properties, thanks to the alcohol contained within.
Tip: Use chalk sparingly to make it last longer and avoid “suffocating” yourself and others. Climbing in a thick white cloud of chalk is not fun at all! Also remember that each climber’s body produces moisture differently, so the amount of climbing chalk needed will be different. Most climbers apply it at the start of each attempt and then again before a particularly difficult hold.
Now that you’ve discovered the origin of those mysterious bags that accompany climbers, it’s important to know the different types of climbing chalk on the market.
First of all, it is important to understand the difference between good and bad chalk. The key to understanding this is how it feels on your hands, how long it lasts, and how healthy it is for your skin. It is essential to always listen to your hands: they make the difference and indicate the type of chalk that is best for you.
Always choose a high-quality one that lasts a long time and leaves your skin healthy even after months of repeated use!
Another aspect to take into consideration is the way in which the climbing chalk is presented.
What does chalk look like?
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Chalk Block It is a solid, compressed cube that will naturally break down over time as you use it. |
Chalk sphere It is a soft, porous fabric bag designed to hold fine powdered chalk and release it slowly when squeezed. |
 Loose Chalk It is a mixture of pieces of chalk and fine powder, usually stored in a bag. |
 Liquid Chalk This is a real evolution! It is a spreadable cream that dries quickly on the hands and leaves only a thin layer, usually stored in a tube. For best results, apply a good layer to clean, dry hands . Some use it as a base layer and then add some chalk powder to keep their hands and fingertips dry for the long haul. |
Good! Now you can't do without it!
If you've read this far, you'll have understood how to use chalk for climbing and that it has become indispensable. You can bet that professional climbers would hardly ever do without it!
Rock climbers carry it with them not only to increase friction between their hands and the holds, but also to mark out potential footholds while climbing.
An eco-friendly tip: it is a good idea to erase the marks after making them: there are now many climbers in natural areas and since bouldering takes place close to the ground or at eye level, removing the chalk tick marks with a toothbrush significantly reduces the visual and environmental impact!
Climbing is a demanding sport, not only because of the strength required, but also because of the strategic aspect.
Not all rocks make good footholds, and climbers often use chalk to mark the best spots for certain holds on a climb. If you've ever noticed that some rocks look like they're painted white, now you know why!
As mentioned above, remember that even though these markings make it easier to know where to put your hands and feet, you have to be careful not to “ruin” the rock and adopt some rules to preserve everyone’s environment . Don’t start adding them until you understand what the rules are for a certain area. We hope we’ve been helpful in revealing some tricks on how to use chalk for climbing!
