Transforming your basement into a climbing haven is a great way to take your training to the next level—rain or shine, you’ll have your own personal climbing gym! But the key to building a functional and fun home wall lies in selecting the right climbing holds. Whether you're into bouldering, training for outdoor climbs, or simply looking for a fun way to stay active indoors, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the best holds for your DIY basement climbing wall.
1. Understand the Types of Climbing Holds
Before jumping into the selection process, it’s essential to understand the types of climbing holds you'll encounter:
- Jugs: Large, easy-to-grip holds perfect for beginners or for when you need a good rest on the wall.
- Crimps: Small edges that require finger strength. Great for building grip power but more challenging for beginners.
- Slopers: Rounded holds that rely more on friction and balance than finger strength.
- Pinches: Vertical holds that require squeezing with your whole hand.
- Pockets: Holds with holes that fit just a few fingers.
When starting out, a mix of jugs and slopers are a solid choice. You can add more challenging holds, like crimps and pinches, as you get stronger.
2. Decide on Your Wall's Layout
Before you buy your holds, consider the layout of your wall. Are you going for a bouldering-style wall, or will it be more of a vertical challenge? For basement setups, you’ll likely have limited height, making bouldering-style walls (shorter walls with horizontal or diagonal routes) a great option. The angle of your wall will also dictate which holds you choose:
- Steep walls (more than 45 degrees) need larger, more positive holds like jugs and pinches to keep routes climbable.
- Vertical or slightly overhung walls can use a mix of hold types, including crimps and slopers for variety.
3. Pick a Variety of Holds for Progression
When selecting climbing holds for your wall, think long-term. You want a variety of holds that can challenge you as you progress. A typical beginner setup might include 60% jugs, 30% slopers, and 10% crimps. As your climbing skills improve, you can add more crimps and pinches to increase the difficulty of your routes.
Many climbers recommend starting with a basic climbing hold package that provides a balanced assortment of grips for all skill levels. You can always add specialized holds later.
4. Consider the Texture and Material
Climbing holds come in a variety of materials, but the most common ones are:
- Polyurethane: Lightweight and durable, perfect for indoor walls.
- Polyester resin: Classic, heavier feel, often used in larger commercial walls.
- Wood: Smooth and natural, great for training finger strength without skin damage, but harder to grip.
The texture of the holds is also important. Some are rougher, offering more friction (but can be tough on the hands), while smoother holds require more skill and grip strength.
5. Plan for Route Setting Flexibility
One of the beauties of building your own basement climbing wall is that you can constantly change up your routes. To make this easy, it’s a good idea to install T-nuts throughout your wall, so you can move your holds around as your skills improve or if you just want to mix things up.
A great strategy is to cover your wall with a dense grid of T-nuts, allowing you to place holds almost anywhere. This will give you maximum flexibility when it comes to designing new routes.
6. Where to Buy Climbing Holds for Your DIY Wall
Once you have your layout and type of holds in mind, it’s time to start shopping! Check out our collection of climbing hold packages for a wide selection that fits any skill level and wall setup. Whether you're looking for a beginner-friendly set or some pro-level crimps to up the ante, we’ve got you covered with fast shipping and great prices.
Ready to start building? Be sure to also browse our wall design instructions for tips on installing your climbing holds safely and securely.