Chalking and Brushing Climbing Holds: Simple Habits for Better Friction

Climbing is all about friction—between your shoes, your hands, and the wall. That’s why chalking and brushing holds are two of the simplest yet most effective habits you can build into your climbing routine. They don’t just help you climb better; they also make the wall cleaner and safer for everyone.

Why Chalk Matters

Chalk isn’t just for keeping your hands white—it’s for absorbing sweat and giving you that extra bit of friction when the wall feels slick. A light layer of chalk dries your skin, so you have better friction on the wall. But here’s the catch: too much chalk actually makes holds worse. Thick layers of chalk turn greasy over time, reducing friction instead of improving it. The goal is always dry hands, not clouds of dust.

How to Chalk Effectively

Not all chalk is the same. Loose chalk is easy to use in chalk bags, and liquid chalk is great for minimizing dust while giving a strong base layer on your hands.

A few tips:

• Apply sparingly—your hands should be dry, not caked.
• Re-chalk only when you actually feel sweaty or slippery.
• For longer sessions, combine liquid chalk as a base layer with loose chalk on top.

Why Brushing Holds Helps Everyone

Every time climbers use chalk, some of it sticks to the holds. Over time, holds get polished with chalk, sweat, and rubber marks, making them slippery and unpleasant to climb on. That’s where brushing comes in.

Brushing holds after your attempts clears away the buildup, giving you and the next climber a cleaner experience with more friction. It also helps extend the life of climbing holds by preventing too much chalk crust from forming. In short, brushing isn’t just for you—it’s a courtesy to the whole community.

Choosing the Right Brush

Climbers have a few options when it comes to brushes:

• Boar’s hair bristles – Softer and more effective at removing chalk without damaging holds.
• Nylon bristles – More durable, but harsher on holds.
• Small brushes – Perfect for crimps, pockets, and small holds.
• Big brushes or brush-sticks – Great for slopers or high, hard-to-reach holds.

Pick a brush that suits your climbing style. If you’re brushing large holds regularly, a brush-stick will save you energy and give you better coverage.

Made with boar hair bristles, the So iLL Eco Sloper Brush 3.0 delivers powerful cleaning while staying eco-friendly.

Chalk and Brush Etiquette in the Gym

Good habits aren’t just about your climbing—they also keep the gym environment better for everyone:

• Brush holds after your climb, not before someone else’s turn.
• Don’t dump chalk all over holds or the mats.
• Share brushes if someone needs one and return gym brushes to their place.

Conclusion

Chalking and brushing might seem like small details, but they make a big difference in how well you climb and how enjoyable the wall feels for everyone. Treat it as part of your climbing routine, and you’ll notice the difference in your hands, your performance, and the holds themselves.

Looking for the right chalk and brushes? Visit the Boulder Planet Showroom to stock up on quality chalk and brushes that will keep your climbing sessions clean and effective.