The 9 Best Climbing Holds for Your New Rock Climbing Wall

With the current pandemic going on, you can’t just stop by your local climbing gym or start trekking on a rocky mountain whenever you feel like it. But who says you can’t go climbing in the comforts of your own home?

If this sounds difficult to set up, don’t worry! All you really need is free wall space, sturdy climbing holds, and some tools to put them all together.

Ready to build your own personal climbing wall for you and your kids? Check out the best climbing holds to get started!

9 Best Rock Climbing Holds

Our Reviews

1. Jungle Gym Kingdom 25 Rock Climbing Holds: Best Overall

Trying to build the perfect playground for your kids? You’re in luck! This climbing hold set is a WONDERFUL addition to your home gym or recreational outdoor space.

With 25 colorful climbing holds and an 8-foot knotted rope included in the set, you can easily spruce up your home wall, turning it into a fun obstacle course or playset for the family!

What if you’re worried that climbing activities could risk personal injury?

You’ll be glad to know these sturdy holds are made of high-caliber, durable plastic and can carry climbers up to 300 pounds! WITHOUT ANY HASSLE!

That means it’s TOTALLY safe for your kids.

Now, although these smaller holds are meant for children, adult climbers can definitely join in on the fun too!

Mix up the position of the rocks to create harder routes and challenge your grip strength and agility with these Jungle Gym Climbing Holds!

Our only complaint? The bolts included might be too short for thicker boards, so the installation process might be a slight hassle.

2. Crystal Lemon Textured Rock Climbing Holds: Best Budget Pick

These Crystal Lemon Textured Holds are PERFECT if you want to build a tiny climbing station for your little ones!

There are only 10 wall rocks in a pack (with installation hardware), so this product is truly a cost-effective way for your kid to try out climbing for the first time.

What else we like about it: (1) The wall rocks are BRIGHTLY-COLORED, so they’re extremely visible and eye-catching. They add a lively pop of color to any home gym too! (2) The materials are non-toxic and UV-resistant, so they’re very safe to play with.

Overall, this type of climbing hold is a BUDGET-FRIENDLY option that’s a great addition to any climbing wall.

If you’re trying to construct a new wall or if you’re planning to expand an existing one for your whole family to play with, then you should definitely consider this product!

There’s just one small issue. The material of this rock climbing set comes in hard plastic. That’s right. So while it is sturdy, it might take a while for your bare feet to get used to when climbing.

3. Ogrmar 25 Rock Climbing Holds Set

If you want a secure and stable climb without worrying about accidentally slipping, it’s worth trying out the Ogrmar Rock Climbing Holds.

These  25 wall rocks have two mounting holes instead of one, so they’ll be fastened WAY more securely to your walls.

Now, that doesn’t mean that this type of climbing hold is any less FUN or CHALLENGING.

In fact, this set comes in 5 vibrant colors (which will surely delight your child!) and a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can mix up the pieces and experiment with your climbing style.

We also love how this product comes with EVERYTHING you need for set-up. There’s nothing worse than having to go out and purchase additional tools and accessories to install something new, right?

Convenience is always important, and you definitely get that with the Ogrmar set! Just make sure to trim the screws to match your wall’s thickness.

4. Climbing Monkey 25 Climbing Holds

Are you still struggling to find the best climbing holds for your children? Have those recent holds you bought been too boring?

Then Climbing Monkey has the solution! It comes in 5 bright colors and designs for a ROCKCLIMBING-MERRY experience!

And it’s not just the design that’s great…

These high-quality wall rocks are industrial-grade and weather-resistant! You can use these indoors OR outdoors with minimal upkeep.

They also come with industrial mounting hardware, so you won’t have to go out and buy extra tools for installation—the ones it comes with are very SAFE and STURDY.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, every purchase also comes with a money-back guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied with the product, you can immediately get your money back. How’s that for customer service?

Clearly, Climbing Monkey’s climbing holds are one of the best in the market if your priority is SAFE and EASY installation.

Unfortunately, this product is more suited to younger kids than adults.

5. Atomik Climbing Holds 21 Classic Pack Bolt-Ons

Looking for climbing holds that come in cool AND bright earth tones? Check out the Atomik Bolt-On Holds, which are easy to install and textured for an easy grip.

Now, before you purchase this climbing hold set, you should know the pieces are intended to be FOOTHOLDS, as they’re sized a bit smaller.

Although they can function as mini crimps and pinches, a beginner may find it difficult to finish the route using these as handholds.

If you’re building a home climbing wall for your kids (or if you want to challenge your indoor climbing skills with smaller holds), though, then these are a great option!

Although the Atomik Climbing Holds are a little expensive up-front, we think you’ll get A LOT of use out of them.

Why? Well, these holds look good, feel sturdy, and are made of durable polyurethane. Best of all, they come with a lifetime warranty so you get INCREDIBLE value for money!

Then again, apart from its fantastic value, it’s also one of the priciest on our list. Not to mention, smaller than the other options listed here.

6. Rocky Mountain Climbing Gear 50 Bolt-On Rock Climbing Holds

If you’re after convenience and quality, you’ll LOVE this climbing hold set, which comes complete with 50 assorted holds and all hardware needed for set-up (T-nuts and bolts).

These are more than enough to create any style route on your home walls! We love that the assorted shapes and sizes make it easy to mix up the route setting for kids or more experienced climbers.

Now, what about the PERFORMANCE of these Rocky Mountain Climbing Holds?

Because these bolt-on holds are weatherproof, wear-proof, and UV-proof, they can be installed indoors or outdoors, depending on the location of your home gym.

It also comes with sturdy quality and is easy to grip, so you won’t have to worry about your personal safety.

In terms of aesthetics, it all boils down to personal preference.

These climbing holds look and feel like grey rocks, so while they might be great for more serious climbers, they might lack a certain fun factor for kids and kids-at-heart.

7. Metolius Greatest Chips 40-Pack Screw-On Holds

These Metolius Screw-On Climbing Holds are amazing when you want great footholds at just a little over $1 each!

This pack of 40 offers a random mix of colors, shapes, and sizes so you can fully customize your home climbing wall EXACTLY the way you want it.

What we love about this product (besides its quality, of course) is you can easily attach it to wooden walls with self-drilling screws.

You can install screw-on holds wherever you don’t have bolt holes, so you can MAXIMIZE limited space and turn it into a fun climbing gym for your family!

The only con is you may have to purchase separate holds to finish your climbing wall, but children (or maybe even adults with smaller hands and feet!) will be able to utilize these foot holds as handholds too.

Now, if you’re interested in a complete set, many climbers like the Metolius Foundation Holds option, which includes a variety of rock climbing holds and all the hardware required for installation.

If you just want to spice up an existing climbing wall, though, then this is a better (and more affordable) choice compared to the Metolius Foundation Holds Set!

8. Milliard DIY Climbing Holds Set

The best climbing holds should be safe yet challenging enough for young climbers who want to further hone their skills.

If you agree, check this one out—the Milliard DIY Climbing Holds Set has a good balance of both, so you can be sure your kids will have TONS of fun while staying active at home!

BUT, what exactly does the set include?

Every purchase comes with 25 climbing pieces, a knotted climbing rope, 2 plastic handles, and installation hardware.

The climbing holds are made of durable, industrial-grade plastic that can carry a large amount of weight, while the extra accessories are there for added safety in case you lose your grip.

More importantly, though, they allow you to CHANGE UP your climbing routine/wall route and HAVE FUN!

9. TOPNEW 32 Rock Climbing Holds

For a wide assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes, check out the TOPNEW rock holds! This pack of 32 comes in 10 beautiful shades and 6 unique shapes, so it’ll definitely spruce up your bare walls at home.

Like some of the other products on this list, the TOPNEW holds are made of high-quality resin plastic, which is weatherproof and long-lasting—great for indoor or outdoor play areas.

Because they’re so durable, young children can start climbing safely with them!

Now, if you want extra bonding time with your children or grandchildren, you can participate in this activity with them too!

These rocks can carry weights up to 230 pounds, so as long as you stick to the large holds, you’ll be able to climb up the wall easily.

Just make sure to follow all safety precautions while using these holds—since they’re only single-bolt, they may be prone to spinning. Always exercise caution to prevent any accidents!

Climbing Holds Buying Guide

Type

Before you purchase any climbing hold, you should know which category it falls under. These are the types of holds master shapers create:

• Jugs are the largest and most beginner-friendly holds. Because jugs have deep pockets, they’re fairly easy to hold on to, especially when you need to pull yourself up the wall.
• Crimps are smaller pieces of rock or plastic that are only wide enough for your fingertips. These holds are also very common, but you’ll need to shift your body weight closer to the wall for a successful climb.
• Pockets are rocks with small holes that can only fit a few fingers. Ideally, you should be using your middle and ring fingers to grip these.
• Slopers are rounded holds with no edges or corners. For a less experienced climber, these can be tricky to work with since they’re quite difficult to grip.
• Pinches have edges on either side for you to hold on to. With these specific holds, you’ll have to position your thumb opposite your other fingers to maximize grip strength.

 

Ideally, the best climbing holds will have a mix of these different types so that you can train properly at home.

However, if you’re a beginner, or if you’re purchasing these for your kids, then you can definitely work with easier holds that double as handholds and footholds.

Material

What your holds are made of affect the difficulty level and comfort of your climb.

Usually, textured materials make the best climbing holds for beginners since they are easier to grip. However, smoother holds are gentler on the skin because they cause less friction.

If you’re unsure, you should go for a climb at your local gym to see which types of holds are best for you!

Installation

Generally, there are two ways to assemble wall holds. You can screw them on or bolt them in place.

Screw-on holds can be placed practically anywhere—all you need are screws to attach them to your climbing surface!

Meanwhile, bolt-on holds require bolt holes to stay in place. These are great if you’re building new climbing walls from scratch, but it can be quite inconvenient to make new holes in existing ones.

Conclusion

You don’t have to be an avid rock climber or a route setter to build your own home climbing wall; all you need is patience, commitment, some creativity, and the right materials to get started.

Take your pick from the best climbing holds above, and you’ll definitely be able to create a fun space for you and the kids right at home. Have fun!