Rock climbing has become an increasingly popular sport and hobby over the last few decades. With indoor rock climbing gyms popping up in cities across the country, more and more people are being introduced to the sport.
A key component of any rock climbing wall are the holds that climbers use to ascend. But how much do these specialized holds actually cost? This comprehensive guide will provide a deep dive into the costs associated with rock climbing holds.
What Are Rock Climbing Holds?
Rock climbing holds are artificial hand and foot holds that are bolted or screwed onto a climbing wall to simulate natural rock features and allow climbers to ascend. Holds come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different climbing techniques and provide varying levels of difficulty.
They are made from materials like polyurethane resin or fiberglass to be durable enough to withstand repeated use. High quality holds feel similar to real rock to provide an authentic climbing experience.
Factors That Influence Cost
There are several key factors that influence the costs of rock climbing holds:
Material
The material used to make the holds affects the durability and grip. Polyurethane resin is inexpensive but wears down more quickly. Fiberglass is more durable but pricier. Polyester resin is a happy medium between cost and durability.
Size & Shape
Larger holds with more complex shapes require more material and labor to produce. Large sculpted holds are the most expensive. Tiny foot chips are cheaper.
Texture & Features
The texture and sculpted features on the hold surface like curves, pockets, ledges etc. require extensive molding and tooling expertise. Highly textured and featured holds cost more.
Branding & Quality
Holds from premium brands made with higher quality materials, textures, and features command higher prices than generic holds.
Volume Production
Holds produced in higher volumes can spread production costs over more units, allowing brands to lower per unit pricing. Limited small batch holds are more expensive.
Hold Types & Average Costs
Here is an overview of common rock climbing hold types and their typical price ranges:
Jugs – $1-$3 per hold
Jugs are large, easy to grasp holds that beginners use to build confidence. They come in basic shapes like spheres or ledges. Simple polyurethane jugs start around $1. Sculpted pro-quality jugs are $2-$3.
Slopers – $2-$5 per hold
Slopers are curved plate-like holds requiring advanced technique. Better quality and more complexity means higher costs in the $4-$5 range.
Pinches – $3-$8 per hold
Pinch grips use fingertips on inside rim edges. Complex sculpting and sharp detailing drives costs up. Basic pinches start around $3 but intricately textured pro models can be $8+
Crimps – $2-$4 per hold
Tiny crimp ledges for fingertips are inexpensive due to small size. Complex edges or crystal shapes can reach $4.
Volumes & Wall Features – $25-$60 each
Large sculpted wall features like cracks or cave contours can cost $25-$60 depending on size, complexity and detailing.
Training Holds – $6-$15 per hold
Training holds like campus rungs, hangboards or systems boards have complex engineered shapes demanding premium pricing of $10-$15 on average.
Kids Holds – $2-$4 per hold
Children’s holds shaped like animals or objects cost slightly more than basic holds due to novelty shapes and branding.
Foot Chips – $0.50-$2 per chip
Basic plastic foot chips start at $0.50 while textured models run $1-$2. Metallic foot chips are $2-$3.
Complete Hold Packages
Climbing gyms or homeowners building a wall typically buy large hold packages with an assortment of shapes and sizes. Complete packages provide bulk discounts compared to individual holds.
Here are typical costs for complete hold packages:
- Basic Hold Package – $400-$800 for 50-100 holds
- Intermediate Hold Package – $800-$1,500 for 100-200 holds
- Advanced Hold Package – $1,500-$2,500 for 200-300 holds
- Full Commercial Gym Package – $5,000-$10,000+ for 500-1000+ holds
Many hold companies offer custom packages tailored to specific wall sizes, angle and climb level. Budget $800-$1,000 per 50 square feet of wall space.
Additional Costs Beyond Just Holds
There are other important equipment costs beyond just the holds to factor in:
Hardware: Bolt-on bolts, screws, washers, nuts etc. can cost $200-$500
Rental Tools: Specialized install tools like impact drivers rent for $50-$100 per day
Installation: Professional installation by hold company reps average $400-$600 per day
So a brand new bouldering cave could cost:
- $2,000 for 200 holds
- $300 for hardware
- $100 for rental tools
- $600 for installation
Total = $3,000 not counting the wall construction itself.
Buying New vs Used Holds
New holds from major manufacturers offer the newest designs, best selections and warranty against manufacturing defects. But used holds can provide significant cost savings of 40-60% off retail pricing.
The tradeoffs between new and used include:
New Holds
- Wider selection of shapes/sizes
- Latest textures & features
- Retail warranty support
- Never climbed on before
UseXd Holds
- Limited sizing/options
- May show signs of wear
- No warranty
- Potentially “pre-textured”
- Still good quality if less than 5 years old
Best Brands for Quality & Value
While cheaper no-name holds exist, the top hold brands provide exceptional quality, safety and value over the long term:
So Ill Holds – Huge variety, pro quality textures, innovative shapes. Usually $2-$5 per hold.
eGrips – Excellent quality at affordable pricing for gyms or homes. Good beginner selection. $1-$3 per hold.
Atomik – Highly sculpted holds for advanced climbers. Modern art feel. $4-$8 per hold.
ClimbIt – Budget-friendly line good for beginners. Jugs and slopers around $1-$3 per hold
Rock Candy – Playful designs perfect for kids. Strong popularity. $2-$5 per hold
Factors That Could Increase Price
There are certain scenarios where hold pricing could exceed the typical ranges:
- Small custom production runs – Unique or proprietary designs in batches under 100 units could be 2-3X more than volume runs.
- Rush order fees – Fast turnaround requests under 2 weeks may incur rush fees up to 25% more.
- Special materials – Holds made from exotic non-resin materials like real stone or wood could be far pricier.
- Shipping fees – Overseas air shipping for international orders adds significant cost.
- Low quantity purchases – Buying single holds instead of bulk packages forfeits volume discounts.
Questions Homeowners Should Ask Before Buying
Some key questions homeowners should consider before purchasing holds:
- What is my climbing skill level? Choose beginner jugs and slopers if new to the sport.
- How many square feet of wall space? Calculate 1-2 holds per square foot as a starting point.
- What angle is the wall? Vertical walls use more holds. Overhung walls require larger holds.
- What is my budget? Determine how much you can spend on holds vs. hardware and installation help.
- Should I buy used holds? Used holds offer major cost savings but fewer shape options.
- Will kids be climbing? Choose colorful, playful kid-specific shapes to inspire them.
- Do I need foot chips? Foot chips help position feet better for more advanced climbers.
Conclusion
The costs associated with rock climbing holds can seem daunting to newcomers building their first wall. But understanding factors like hold types, textures, buying packages vs individual pieces, and shopping top brands allows climbers to get excellent quality while working within any budget.
With plenty of affordable beginner hold options starting around just $1, it’s easy to equip a starter wall for less than $500 that will provide years of enjoyment. And aspiring climbers can always continue investing in more specialty holds over time as skills progress.
With the proper knowledge, any climber can find the ideal selection of holds tailored to their space and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some most frequently asked question given below:
What is the cheapest type of rock climbing hold?
The cheapest climbing holds are usually basic plastic jug or bucket holds, which can cost as little as $1-2 per hold. Simple sloper or crimp style holds also start around $2-$3.
Are used climbing holds safe?
Used holds are generally safe if they are not severely damaged or worn and are properly reinstalled. Visually inspect used holds and discard any with cracks, broken edges or excessive texture wear. Clean thoroughly before reinstalling with climbing-grade hardware.
Where can I buy discounted or cheap climbing holds?
The best options for discounted holds include buying used instead of new, purchasing hold packages instead of individual holds, shopping sales or clearance sections, buying hold company factory seconds with minor defects, or purchasing non-brand name budget holds.
How many holds do I need for a home bouldering wall?
As a general rule of thumb, plan on 1-2 holds per square foot of wall space for a home wall. So a 50 square foot wall would need 50-100 holds. Include a variety of jug, sloper, pinch, and crimp holds tailored to abilities.
Should I install holds myself or hire someone?
It is best to have an experienced climber or company rep install your first set of holds properly by drilling and torqueing holds to the recommended specs. This ensures safety. But after training, self-installation is feasible.
How do I know what kind of rock climbing holds to buy?
Consider the wall angle, available space, climbing level of users, and types of climbing preferred like bouldering, sport, training etc. to select appropriate beginner-advanced level holds. A variety of jugs, slopers and pinches work well for general training.
Can you make your own rock climbing holds?
It is possible but difficult to make quality custom holds at home. You need access to liquid polyurethane resin molds and other specialized tools. Purchasing premade holds is easier and more affordable in most cases.
How many holds should be on a bouldering wall?
The recommended density for a bouldering wall is 1 hold per square foot. So a 10 x 10 foot bouldering wall would utilize approximately 100 holds. Hold density can be increased for advanced walls.
How thick should rock climbing holds be?
Climbing holds are commonly manufactured in two thicknesses – 25mm and 35mm. Thinner 25mm holds are used when holds need to be closer together on steeper walls. Thicker 35mm holds provide more grip surface and durability.
Do all rock climbing holds need to be bolted in?
The vast majority of manufactured holds are drilled and bolted permanently into the wall. But some temporary modular hold systems utilize clamp-on or screw-on attachments instead of bolts.