Stupid question -- Loose chalk or sock-thing in your chalk bag?

Which one is better? I've tried both and I like loose chalk better, but if I wear my chalk bag while I'm bouldering, sometimes when I fall a bit spills out the back onto the mat...

Thoughts? Thanks!

Many gyms prohibit loose chalk. For a good reason.

How often do you actually chalk up while you are bouldering (actually on the wall)? Maybe you don't need to wear a chalk bag while bouldering. There is a reason why chalk buckets are a thing that boulderers like. You can chalk up in between climbs, but probably don't need to chalk in mid-bouder problem.

And may gyms now have no-chalk-on-the-mats policy these days, so I hardly ever see people wearing the chalk bags while bouldering. You can set your chalkbag on the bench, or the floor, and chalk up right before getting on the wall.

I found that the chalk sock provides more longevity to your chalk supply because you really don’t need that much chalk on your hands. 

Why not both?

A section of pantyhose or nylon stocking makes an excellent chalk sock. It'll deliver the goods.

Another vote for both.  A bit of loose in the bottom with a sock on top is the best of both worlds for me.

I prefer loose, but I keep an empty sock in my bag for chalking holds. What are y'all's thoughts on liquid chalk?

Eric Metzgar wrote:

Which one is better? I've tried both and I like loose chalk better, but if I wear my chalk bag while I'm bouldering, sometimes when I fall a bit spills out the back onto the mat...

Thoughts? Thanks!

Loose chalk goes on unevenly and makes a mess. “Real” climbers use a sock ball.

Lena chita wrote:

How often do you actually chalk up while you are bouldering (actually on the wall)? Maybe you don't need to wear a chalk bag while bouldering. There is a reason why chalk buckets are a thing that boulderers like. You can chalk up in between climbs, but probably don't need to chalk in mid-bouder problem.

And may gyms now have no-chalk-on-the-mats policy these days, so I hardly ever see people wearing the chalk bags while bouldering. You can set your chalkbag on the bench, or the floor, and chalk up right before getting on the wall.

Lena, we don’t all have skin good enough to go totally chalk free like you :p

Lena chita wrote:

How often do you actually chalk up while you are bouldering (actually on the wall)? Maybe you don't need to wear a chalk bag while bouldering. There is a reason why chalk buckets are a thing that boulderers like. You can chalk up in between climbs, but probably don't need to chalk in mid-bouder problem.

And may gyms now have no-chalk-on-the-mats policy these days, so I hardly ever see people wearing the chalk bags while bouldering. You can set your chalkbag on the bench, or the floor, and chalk up right before getting on the wall.

On this note, chalk is obsessively overused by most climbers, especially boulderers. It’s only for keeping the hands dry, it’s not glue! 

I like the chalk ball. I feel it gets the perfect coating on my hands every time. No second guessing. I leave a little extra loose goods in there too if I need to just to get the tips gritty. 

I tried the loose chalk thing 20+ years ago and made quite a mess - so I've used a ball since.  To piggyback - does it matter what the sock is made of?  Should it be synthetic, or is one of my old gym socks good enough?  Thanks.

Matt B wrote:

I tried the loose chalk thing 20+ years ago and made quite a mess - so I've used a ball since.  To piggyback - does it matter what the sock is made of?  Should it be synthetic, or is one of my old gym socks good enough?  Thanks.

I sure some dirty bags use an actual sock but the “sock” we are referring to is the sack that the “chalk ball” comes in.

If you didn’t leave a white stain on the ground/ blue carpet were you even climbing?

Tradiban wrote:

I sure some dirty bags use an actual sock but the “sock” we are referring to is the sack that the “chalk ball” comes in.

I get that, but I have a bag of loose Friction Labs I'd like to put in a sock/ball.  I'm giving my current ball to a buddy starting out.  

Just asking which is best - cotton or synthetic so I can make my own.

If the sock ball wasn't so annoying to refill, the sock ball wins. 

Matt B wrote:

I get that, but I have a bag of loose Friction Labs I'd like to put in a sock/ball.  I'm giving my current ball to a buddy starting out.  

Just asking which is best - cotton or synthetic so I can make my own.

Sport climbers use cotton.

Hank Hudley wrote:

I keep an empty sock in my bag for chalking holds.

Huh?   Are the holds sweating. 

I unironically really like this thing: https://www.midnightlightning.co/shop/p/chalktopus-chalk-bag-grip

Just something to grab onto and keep chalk from spilling out as well

Ian Bales wrote:

I unironically really like this thing: https://www.midnightlightning.co/shop/p/chalktopus-chalk-bag-grip

Just something to grab onto and keep chalk from spilling out as well

I use a literal sock turned inside-out for this purpose. Gets coated in chalk and gives a surface to grab. No need to 'refill', just dump more chalk in the bag.