There are innumerable chalks for bouldering on the market. I have tested and ranked the best climbing chalk so you can optimise your performance on the wall.
| Climbing Chalk | Texture | Weight | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| FrictionLabs - Unicorn Dust | Powder | 28-284g | 98 |
| Moon Climbing - Moon Dust | Powder/Chunky | 300g | 95 |
| Black Diamond - White Gold | Chunky Mix | 100-300g | 94 |
| Metolius - Super Chalk | Chunky | 70-425g | 91 |
| Ocun - Chalk Crushed 250 | Chunky Mix | 250g | 88 |
The Five Best Climbing Chalk Products in Detail
1. FrictionLabs – Unicorn Dust
Essential Info
- Texture: Powder
- Weight: 28-284g
When it comes to the best climbing chalk, there really isn’t much debate to be had. FrictionLabs have developed something special. It feels like you are putting your hand in a cloud. It applies very smoothly and you feel as though you have the perfect grip. There are some very small chunks in the bag too. It really is a well-rounded product.
Nevertheless, this is by far the priciest brand here. As they say, you pay for quality, but at what point do you want to be shelling out a fortune for chalk? That is up to you. If you can afford it, I say go for it, as there aren’t any better out there.
Get FrictionLabs – Unicorn Dust!
2. Moon Climbing – Moon Dust
Essential Info
- Texture: Powder
- Weight: 300g
An excellent chalk, Moon Climbing once again excel in the bouldering arena. More of a chunky powder than a fine one, it is pure 100% magnesium carbonate with no additives. This is perfect for keeping good care of your hands.
Apparently, the Chinese gymnastic team use this chalk too. So it can’t be bad. This offers most of the perks of the number one chalk, but it’s just not as dreamlike. Nevertheless, it’s price beats the rest in terms of quality and performance.
3. Black Diamond – White Gold
Essential Info
- Texture: Chunky Mix
- Weight: 100-300g
If you have sweaty hands then this is for you. If not, it could be too harsh on your skin. The coverage wasn’t the best, but the dryness means you will never slip off a hold. It does come at a price however, and that is your broken skin.
If you start to use this chalk, you will definitely have to accompany it with bouldering hand cream. Taking care of your hands is essential. Even so, I felt as though I would never slip off a hold with this one.
Get Black Diamond – White Gold!
4. Metolius – Super Chalk
Essential Info
- Texture: Chunky
- Weight: 70-425g
It’s not too powdery and lasts reasonably long. Nevertheless, it doesn’t offer the same quality as some higher up. It feels more like ‘regular climbing chalk’ if that makes sense? The price reflects this too, with it being very cheap.
Overall, if you don’t really think chalk affects your performance that much, then you should go for this one. It’s not the flashiest but it is certainly affordable. It’s easy to apply, but I found I had to go back and re-apply quite often.
5. Ocun – Chalk Crushed 250
Essential Info
- Texture: Chunky Mix
- Weight: 250g
Ocun are still making their mark in the climbing world and have now released a chalk. It’s pretty decent and serves as a cheap option for many bouldering enthusiasts. It’s very chunky so you have to like this kind of chalk for it to be useful to you.
I found it dries the hand rather quickly too, although it was very easy to apply and I got fairly even coverage after dipping my hands in the chalk bag. A decent option, particularly for those on a budget!
How to Choose the Best Climbing Chalk
There are a number of things you should consider when picking the best climbing chalk. This can be from texture to price. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, there are only so many ways chalk can be made. I suggest trialling a couple, and picking your favourite.
The Texture or Type of Chalk
Depending on the product, the chalk can come in a big block that you break down, or looser and more powdery. Some prefer a block so they can break it down themselves, others like a finer version already pre-prepared.
Some come in a mix, where there are bigger chunks surrounded by powder. This seems to be one of the more popular ways. This is once again a personal preference, so make sure you buy a product that you want.
Don’t Overthink It
This may sound counter-intuitive, but the reality is there are many big brands out there offering some form of chalk. If I am honest, they will all provide you with what you are looking for. Obviously, the more premium end ones, do try and go that extra mile, but you have to ask yourself is it worth it?
Price
If you can afford it, why not go for the more expensive one? Even so, you can find the performance you need at the lower end too. It is once again your decision. I love the Unicorn Dust, but I am not sure if I would use it long-term due to the cost. Maybe a little treat every now and then, instead.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things that come into ranking the best climbing chalk. I would love a world where Unicorn Dust flies everywhere, but it may not be realistic! Choose one that suits your hands and your budget. For more products, check my bouldering gear reviews. Find a summarised list of the top chalks below.
- FrictionLabs – Unicorn Dust – The Best Climbing Chalk
- Moon Climbing – Moon Dust – Top Quality & Performance
- Black Diamond – White Gold – Great for Dry Hands
- Metolius – Super Chalk – Good Price
- Ocun – Chalk Crushed 250 – Cheapest Chalk
FAQS
What is the best climbing chalk?
My definitive answer is FrictionLabs – Unicorn Dust. It provides the best feeling chalk, as well as ultimate performance. It really is one of the most popular brands out there, but that does come at a cost.
Do you need chalk to climb?
Whether you are bouldering or climbing, it is advisable to use chalk. This is to stop your hands from slipping when moving to the next hold. This is especially applicable if you suffer from sweaty hands.
How do you choose climbing chalk?
There are a number of things to look out for when choosing the best climbing chalk. Mainly, you want to look out for the texture of the chalk, and the price to weight ratio. Obviously, the higher performing stuff is more expensive, so try and find what is right for you.