How to choose climbing holds

Selecting the right climbing holds for your gym requires a combination of technical knowledge, creativity, and careful planning.

Through each product description, we aim to make your choices easier, helping you design engaging climbing walls while delivering the best possible climbing experience.

Our team is always available to help. Feel free to contact us and benefit from the advice of our experts. Their product knowledge and route-setting experience can be invaluable when selecting holds for your project.

Choosing climbing holds by size

Hold size should be considered from the very beginning of a wall design project. A variety of hold sizes is essential for creating routes and boulders that are progressive, engaging, and suitable for climbers of all abilities.

Volx offers climbing holds in every size, from XS to XXL.

Large holds, giant jugs, and oversized features have become increasingly popular. They are now a staple of modern competition setting, creating visually impressive climbs that immediately attract climbers to the wall.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, smaller holds such as micro edges and tiny crimps require greater precision and finger strength. These holds are ideal for refining technique, building finger power, and creating more advanced challenges. Many micro holds are also used as footholds.

Including a range of intermediate sizes helps create a smooth progression between easy-to-grab large holds and more demanding small holds.

You can find our complete climbing hold size guide here.

Choosing holds according to the indoor climbing discipline

Different climbing disciplines require different hold characteristics.

Bouldering

For bouldering, where climbers tackle short and intense problems, larger holds with a wide variety of shapes and textures are generally preferred. They allow route setters to create visual, modern problems that encourage dynamic movement and creativity.

Speed climbing

Volx is the only manufacturer authorized to produce the official IFSC-certified speed climbing hold.

Discover the official speed climbing hold here.

In speed climbing, the route is built using the same handholds and footholds repeated throughout the wall. Every route must remain identical worldwide to allow direct comparison of athlete performances and progression.

The current men's world record stands at 4.77 seconds for the standard 15-metre wall.

Lead climbing

Lead climbing places a greater emphasis on endurance and problem-solving. Holds should therefore allow for prolonged use while offering a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

From small edges to large positive holds, climbers can test their technique, strength, and route-reading abilities while progressing through increasingly complex sequences.

If you'd rather be guided, our hold packs provide carefully selected combinations of hold sizes and grip types designed for specific climbing levels.

Choosing holds based on wall profile

The characteristics of your wall—its angle, texture, and overall configuration—directly influence the type of holds you should install.

Vertical walls

Vertical walls offer the greatest flexibility when selecting holds. The choice is primarily determined by the level of difficulty you want to create.

Slabs

For slab climbing, selecting appropriate footholds is particularly important. Good footholds provide the stability necessary for balance-focused climbing.

Overhanging walls

On steep terrain, climbers face increased physical demands. Ergonomic holds and positive textures become essential, allowing secure gripping and dynamic movement.

Hold density should also be taken into account.

On dense walls with many closely spaced holds, smaller and medium-sized holds create a wider range of movement possibilities.

On more open walls with greater spacing between holds, larger holds help climbers visualize and commit to bigger movements.

If you're considering changing the profile of an existing wall, wooden climbing volumes may be a more cost-effective solution. Mounted directly onto existing panels, they can create overhangs, features, and new angles without requiring major structural modifications.

Choosing climbing holds for beginners

Beginner and children's climbing holds should encourage learning while providing comfort and confidence.

Simple, ergonomic shapes with positive grip surfaces are generally the best option.

The greater the hold density on a wall, the more route options become available. As a result, beginner walls typically feature a higher concentration of holds.

Texture also plays an important role. More positive surfaces improve grip, reduce slipping, and help prevent premature fatigue.

Types of climbing hold grips

At Volx, we offer a wide variety of grip styles to create challenges for climbers of every level.

Jugs

Jugs provide large, deep gripping surfaces that are comfortable and easy to hold. They are ideal for beginners and dynamic movements, especially on steep terrain.

Crimps

Crimps are typically small holds gripped primarily with the fingertips. They require significant finger and forearm strength.

Slopers

Slopers feature smooth, rounded surfaces with little positive edge. They are commonly used for compression-style climbing and body-position-dependent movements.

Edges

Edges are thin, precise holds that require accurate hand placement and careful body positioning.

Pockets

Pocket holds contain one or more holes designed for fingers.

Climbers may use:

• mono pockets (one finger)
• two-finger pockets
• three-finger pockets

These holds add an extra level of challenge to advanced climbing.

Materials used in climbing holds

At Volx, we work with a variety of materials to offer the widest possible range of performance characteristics and designs.

Polyester (PE)

Polyester holds provide exceptional durability and wear resistance, making them particularly well suited to high-traffic climbing facilities. They are also among the most cost-effective hold options available.

Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethane holds are known for their lightweight properties.

They resist chipping and scratching while allowing a wide variety of shapes and textures. They are easy to maintain, impact-resistant, and flexible enough to adapt to slightly uneven surfaces.

Their main drawback is a higher cost and generally faster wear compared to polyester.

Dual texture

Dual-texture holds are manufactured from polyurethane and combine two distinct surface finishes.

The gripping area features a rough texture for maximum friction, while the surrounding surface is smooth and glossy. This creates more technical climbing and requires greater precision from the athlete.

VolXume

Building on dual-texture technology, Volx developed the VolXume range.

These oversized macros combine the advantages of polyurethane with modern dual-texture design, creating highly visual and technical features for contemporary route setting.

Wood

Wood is primarily used for climbing volumes with geometric shapes such as triangles, cubes, and hexagons.

Wooden volumes require regular maintenance to prevent wear caused by humidity and repeated use.

Volumes add relief and complexity to routes and boulders. Holds can be attached directly to them using wood screws or integrated T-nuts.

Used effectively, they significantly enrich movement possibilities and route-setting creativity.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass offers an excellent balance between low weight and abrasion resistance.

It is particularly appreciated for large volumes and oversized holds, although it generally comes at a higher cost.

Hold fixing systems

Climbing holds are typically mounted using socket-head bolts (CHC bolts) and wood screws, providing secure attachment to wooden wall panels.

T-nuts installed within the wall panel allow flexible hold positioning while ensuring maximum stability.

Together, these fixing systems provide reliable, safe, and durable hold installation.

How can you purchase the climbing holds from our catalogue?

Are you located in France or elsewhere in the European Union? You can order directly from our website.

You can also request a quote after selecting the products you need on our website, or get in touch with one of our distributors located around the world.