"Chalkless Grip Enhancer" has anyone ever used this stuff? Bettrer than chalk?

"Chalkless’ unique granular formulation absorbs oil and repels moisture on the skin’s surface to deliver unprecedented, enhanced grip" website

It uses silica silylate, essentially fumed silica, as a hydrophobic layer on the skin. Does anyone have any experience with how the friction compares to typical chalk? There isn't really any data or reviews to support this being a good alternative, aside from instagram/tiktok video promos. It's hydrophobic instead of chalk, which is hygroscopic and readily absorbs moisture from surfaces and the air. So it seems like it would make moisture roll off the skin as opposed to chalk which absorbs, and chalk eventually gets saturated. I have super sweaty hands, antihydral can only do me so good for so long.

Also, this stuff is expensive as fuck, $25 bucks for an 8 gram bottle!!! It's surprisingly hard to buy bulk silica silylate, you might have to go through chemical suppliers for a special order.

So far, it does not seem to have a big impact as far as climbing when it is hot outside versus liquid chalk. I would say I will probably stick to liquid chalk (after I use the container) as a base layer as it is very expensive. Seems like a good idea maybe and it definitely works but it isn't a game changer.

This is interesting. Chalk reduces friction compared to a dry, oil-free hand (which is just logistically impossible), so this could have potential. Would love to hear from somebody who has tried it.

“When you rub Chalkless onto your hands or onto the surface of an object, such as a tennis racket or golf grip, it creates an ultra-thin, transparent micro-coating. This coating enhances both the texture and the contact surface area turning your hand into a powerful grip zone. It’s like wearing an invisible glove with billions of gripping contact points.”

I for one am psyched to climb classics in the future that have pre “enhanced” holds. Bonus points for breathing in the silica dust when you brush off the proj. 

Kinda worried this stuff might stick to holds and make it way worse, for instance after a rain or dirt deposit. The again, if you’ve ever tried to climb at the Red on a hot humid summer day you know the greased up chalky holds are so bad it probably can’t get any worse lol. 

Is this product likely to be significantly different from metolius eco chalk/fumed silica ?

Don't do it! And ditch the chalk. It is truly aid. We are in the chalk era of climbing much like the steroid era of baseball. Tagging rocks without remorse, its really amazing when you step back and look at it.

I tried a bit of it from a friend. Not a fan at all. As described, it coats your hands with a fine silky layer, but I noticed little difference in preventing sweaty tips and yeah that silica stuff is gross.