Where do Climbers Buy Bags of Chalk?
Chalk bags don't come pre-stocked, full of the good stuff. Climbers must purchase the precious powder they pour into their bags separately.
Some climbers like chalk with drying agents, some like the most affordable chalk they can find, some like chunky, semi-chunky, fine, or superfine chalk, and some like high-end chalk made from pure magnesium carbonate.
But do you know exactly what chalk is? Here, take a look and then learn where climbers buy bags of chalk.
What is Chalk?
Climbing chalk, made from magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), is used to dry out your hands when climbing. As you know, climbing requires friction between your skin and the holds to stay on the wall, much like how gymnasts use chalk to help their grip on the rings or bars.
Some climbing chalk is pure magnesium carbonate, while others have drying agents added to it. Be careful when choosing a big bag of chalk. If you can, test out the chalk you want before buying if you're unsure how it will react with your skin.
No rule states you must use chalk— it is ultimately up to you. Climbing chalk has one purpose: to dry skin. If your hands aren't prone to sweating, there is no need to use chalk.
Different Kinds of Chalk
You can get chalk in many forms, so try a few different kinds before you buy a big ol' bag of it. Below are the various forms of climbing chalk.
Loose Powder Chalk – Finely crushed and easy to apply and distribute on your hands. When climbing on a rope, it's important to be efficient when you need chalk, and using powder chalk will be the quickest way to dry your hands.
Chunky Chalk – Chunky chalk is essentially the same as a loose powder, but it will require some crushing with your hands. Many climbers find crushing the small blocks of chalk satisfying. Some find the chunkier chalk stays on their hands more while the fine powder wipes off more easily.
Chalk Balls – A chalk ball is a small sack of loose chalk inside your chalk bag. This option is neat and compact and minimizes waste. However, chalk balls require grabbing and squeezing the chalk to produce the product, which takes slightly longer to apply than loose chalk.
Liquid Chalk – Liquid chalk causes significantly less mess than loose chalk. It comes in a tube! Spread it on your hands and let it dry before climbing. The issue with liquid chalk is that once it sweats off, you can't reapply it while on the wall.
Where do Climbers Buy Bags of Chalk?
Chalk can be bought in various quantities from various places. You can find sample sizes, chalk bag refills, and chalk bucket refills—seriously, you can even purchase chalk in a 5-gallon bucket.
Many climbers have a specific chalk they use and will continue to do so until their climbing days are over. They know what they like and know it works; why should they try anything else?
Climbing Gyms – This may be where most climbers buy their chalk. Climbing gyms typically have a few different brands, so consider yourself fortunate if the chalk you use is one of them.
Retail Stores – Retail stores like big-box companies or smaller businesses like outdoor gear exchanges will sell chalk. These usually have a few more options than climbing gyms.
Chalk Retailer Website – Buying chalk online straight from the retailer is another common practice for those who know what chalk they prefer. You can sometimes buy in bulk, like a 5-gallon bucket's worth, to have chalk lasting all year (hopefully).
Amazon.com – Amazon can be a great place to buy chalk because you can find most brands available. Plus, you can find unbiased reviews to help you make your decision.
Chalking Tips
Keep your chalk bag closed by using the drawstring when not in use to prevent spills. As your chalk bag gets beat up, the drawstring may not work as well anymore. Wrap your waistband around your bag tightly to ensure it won't spill when you stuff it into your pack.
Chalk up during rests to maximize its effectiveness. Try to always do so only when you need it. However, confidence chalking can help, too. "I have chalk, so I should be able to do this sequence." Find your balance.
You can have too much chalk on your hands. Instead of drying out your skin for better friction, it creates a slippery barrier between your skin and the holds. Blow on your hands or pat your legs after you chalk up to shake off the excess and improve your friction.
