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Walltopia texture

Original Post
Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Anybody know the deal on this? Is it just a way to differentiate their product from all the other wall companies on the market? Or is there some durability advantage (or more likely a disadvantage)?

Personally i can't stand it, way too rough and uncomfortable. I get that it allows smearing, which theoretically could open up new setting opportunities, but tiny jibs work nearly as well and can be positioned to force movement better. And the argument that it is more like outside is crazy- other than Vedauwoo, there's no outside rock remotely as rough.

I like the colorful walls, although frankly don't mind gray plywood either.

Mike Marmar · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 67

I agree. The added texture makes smearing too easy and seems to discourage precise footwork, as you can place a foot poorly and still get pretty good friction by contact with the wall. Also, the slightest brush against the wall will scratch you, easily breaking skin.

Derek · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 0

Just climbed on a brand new Walltopia wall this weekend. Was reminded of the texture with a niece abrasion on my wrist. It is definitely rough...

That said; I do think it has it's advantage. It seems to age a lot better than other walls. My local gym is about 3 years old, and the walls are in great condition. None of the grease sheen some other walls seem to develop.

Not sure it matters that much...

Dan Austin · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

I've thought the same thing since I've been gym climbing almost exclusively on Walltopia walls for the past year or so. Great construction and aesthetics, but I also would prefer a more forgiving texture unless there are actual functional benefits.

Although I suppose it's better for smearing, I don't find myself doing that much smearing in the gym in general, and agree that forcing movement with shitty footholds is probably preferable anyway. My biggest gripe is how abrasive it is on fingertips with small holds. The other day I was working a boulder problem with some relatively dynamic moves between small holds. Even when I was pretty accurate with my deadpoints (i.e., I wasn't overshooting the hold and scraping my fingers down the wall to latch it), my fingertips would still scrape against the wall when I really bared down. After a few attempts, my tips felt raw, and this pain was as much a limiting factor as my blatant lack of strength/power (at least that's what I tell myself).

Granted, most holds in gyms these days tend to be large enough where this isn't a big issue, but it just seems unnecessary. If there is some functional benefit to the texture, I'd be interested in hearing!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Sport Climbing
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