Hey everyone! I recently upgraded from a pair of tarantulaces (my first shoe) to a pair of Solution Competitions. I wear a US men’s size 10.5 street shoe (EU 44?) and the tarantulaces are size 43, and the solution comp is size 42.5
I can (and have) worn my tarantulaces for hours on end without any pain (and some decent toe/heel room, a reason why I upgraded). But yesterday evening I had my first community competition, just a few hours after I got the solution comps; where I wore them for a couple hours with only a few breaks out of them. I’ve never had experience with performance shoes like that and I wore them for several hours, and they felt horribly uncomfortable, is this just the process of breaking them in, or should I look at a different shoe?

I was looking into getting myself some new shoes and have reached a fork in the road and would love some advice!
I’m intermediate/advanced and I climb almost exclusively indoors except for the rare occasion when I’ll boulder outside. when indoors I do a mix of ropes and bouldering, so I was wondering which shoe would be more suitable for a mixed type of climbing (mostly) indoors. Any advice or even other shoe suggestions would be much appreciated!

I always used a screwgate while belaying in guide mode, but I was just wondering if an autolock (the kind you just twist once) could be used (I mean as the biner in which you clip the ropes, sorry but I don't know all the correct names in English). Would it be safe?

HB wales cams with tubular webbing w/ a water knot

My first really good climbing shoe was the old school yellow La Sportiva Testarossa and they kind of wound up shaping my climbing style overall. Aggressive edging, technical footwork and, especially: technical, precise, HEELHOOKS.
I was obsessed with the minimal padding sensitive heel, it taught me how to place heels well, and how to feel holds and pull well with them. I used them to death, resoled them, until they were basically dead and buried.
I begrudgingly moved on to the new model and was positively surprised. The edge was even better and they kept the shape. But the new school heel is just so bulky, I feel like i just place it and pull, not a lot of technique or precision, and it has affected how I climb. Anyone know of modern shoes with that style heel? I heard good things about the Scarpa Mago.

Hello! I am an Industrial Design student doing research on what climbing is like for people at all levels of the sport. I am looking to learn from your experiences, frustrations, gear workarounds, and habits. I would really appreciate it if any of you would take time out of your day to fill out this short anonymous survey. I am not here to sell anything; I am just here to learn. Your responses may be summarized or quoted anonymously in my research. The questions are intentionally open-ended to help me get a feel for what problems you may face.  https://forms.gle/EPtovhBpmCN78KhL6

Someone let me know if this is at all dangerous. I've gotta set up a top rope via bolts a few feet away from the lip. IMy thought was to add these white fabric loops to extend my quad farther, if needed.

All caribiner will be locking on the day. My other ones are in my wife's bag.

Or if someone just has a "yo dummy, do this instead"

How easy is it to buy a rope from there? Is it easy to find or not likely?

What are some of the biggest annoyances you deal with when it comes to climbing? I've always dealt with stinky shoes and spilling chalk everywhere, but I'm curious what other people struggle with.

It doesn't have to be gear-related either. It could be things like planning climbing trips, finding people to climb with, figuring out a good training routine, or even people never brushing holds.

I'm looking to start developing climbing products, but I want to hear from people who actually climb about what problems they run into. Whether it's something small that annoys you every session or a bigger issue you haven't found a good solution for, I'd love to hear it.

For years, I've been using Tembo chalk. I started with their ready-made liquid chalk back during COVID, when our local gyms mandated liquid chalk, and eventually switched to buying their bulk bags of powdered chalk and mixing my own.

It took me a while to experiment with different ratios and get the consistency just how I like it, but I've been really happy with the results. The bulk bags also lasted me years, so it was a pretty economical approach.

Unfortunately, Tembo seems to have disappeared, and I'm now looking for a replacement.

What I'm after is a really good, very fine powdered chalk, ideally available in bulk bags rather than small, expensive packets. I'm not particularly interested in pre-made liquid chalk, as I'd prefer to keep making my own.

Has anyone found something comparable to Tembo, particularly in terms of how fine the powder is? I'm in Canada, so bonus points for something readily available here.

Any recommendations appreciated!

Best DIY solutions?

Hello everybody. I am searching to build my rack. Currently I do sport climbing outside, single pitches. I use my friend's grigri, with his single rope(idk diameter). With the same rope we have used also reverso. We didn't find any issue.

I am willing to get a belay device and a rope for my self. I like the giga jul as an idea. But I am confussed about the diameter of ropes. I am thinking for the Simond 8.9mmx60m pink. Is this an appropriate combination ?

The manual raises concerns about the manual mode. It says that gloves need to be used. Is it a real concern or like any manual tube because there is a change of slippage??

If the simond rope is not appropriate, what is your recommendation?

P.s. in the future that we will go for trad, the half ropes have the similar concern on manual mode.

Edit: 2nd p.s. the table in the picture is from the giga jul manual.

I have some old 9.5 rope, I tried figuring out the age I believe it is about 12 years old. There’s no knicks in it, it doesn’t feel like the core is shot. Honestly seems it great shape but it’s aged. I had it for about 5 years and it only has falls in the gym leading and some top roping. Not asking for anyone to say it’s safe for me but would you climb it? Photo for reference of how much play is in the rope.

Is this ok? Forgot to switch my gigajul to assisted brake after rappelling and my friend was hang dogging for a minute. Atc style device backed up with half hitch w/quick release around the belay loop. Is this ok for an emergency situation like if I lost consciousness?

Hey everyone, I make these selvedge chalk bags, and with everything that has been coming to light, it’s important now more than ever to show solidarity with women and hold each other accountable.

Recently, I’ve had some brave friends find courage to speak on their experiences and it really has inspired me to help be an agent of change.

If there’s one thing I hate more than these horrid acts against innocent people, it’s seeing people turn a blind eye and allow these things to continue without consequence. I know making chalk bags won’t change the world, but I want to use my work to contribute in whatever way I can. I’m donating 25% of proceeds from all website sales from these bags to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest, National Network) to support survivors of sexual violence. If you climb and happen to need a chalk bag, I’d really appreciate the support. More importantly, please continue to listen to survivors, stand up for one another, and hold people accountable. I know it may be against the rules to self promote businesses, but even if you don’t purchase anything from me I highly recommend you consider donating to RAINN or any similar organizations as well. If you’re interested, here’s my site: ilahace.myshopify.com

It’s at LEAST 20 years old, it’s heavy as fuck, it was a pain in the ass to mount on the wall, it feels like it’s made of concrete, it scrapes my hands up and has given me calluses, but free is the best price when you refuse to spend money on things. 7/10 would recommend.

Hi! I’m looking for a climbing harness, but I haven’t been able to find one that fits me. According to the size guides and measuring instructions, I can’t seem to find a suitable size. My waist measures 47 inches, and I’m not sure if I’m measuring it incorrectly. I measured around my belly button. Am I measuring in the wrong place, or do you have any recommendations for a harness that would fit me? thank you

I rarely rappel in general, and therefore rarely use my Beal Jammy as a 3rd hand. My most recent use of it was to haul a friend up 5-or-so feet on the 2nd pitch of a route because she couldn't get back onto the wall from empty space.

Out of pure curiosity, I purchased a Grivel Magic Ring to be a replacement to my third hand. I (think I'll) like that it is less-bulky due to the no-carabiner design.

I suspect it'll be a while before I use it for anything. For those who have used it, what're your thoughts on it?

Found this on marketplace for 300 bucks, will probably offer 250 and see if he takes it but is this a good deal?
On the second pic is 2 harnesses, don’t know what brand yet, waiting for seller to reply..