What materials are climbing holds made of?

　　Polyurethane (PU)

　　Advantages: low density, excellent toughness, wear resistance, easy to secure, and high safety—making it the mainstream material in the U.S. market today.

　　Drawbacks: The texture feels somewhat “plastic-like,” and it may become warm after prolonged gripping.

　　Applications: Widely used in commercial climbing gyms and home climbing walls.

　　Polyester Resin

　　Advantages: Early mainstream material, low cost, and easy to shape.

　　Drawbacks: hard and brittle texture, prone to chipping and cracking, emits highly toxic vapors, poor safety; has been gradually phased out.

　　Glass-fiber-reinforced polyester (also known as fiberglass)

　　Advantages: high durability and a tactile feel close to natural stone; preferred by European manufacturers.

　　Disadvantages: complex manufacturing process and higher costs.

　　Applicable to: professional training and competition holds.

　　Eco-friendly resins (such as PP plastic and food-grade resin)

　　Advantages: non-toxic, environmentally friendly, with a matte, slip-resistant surface, UV-resistant, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use—making it the mainstream choice for home climbing walls in recent years.

　　Applications: children’s climbing walls, home gecko walls, and sensory integration training equipment for kindergartens.

　　Wood

　　Advantages: smooth and warm to the touch, lightweight, and low cost.

　　Disadvantages: prone to moisture absorption, strength decreases over time, and difficult to clean.

　　Application: Primarily used for low-frequency, high-abrasion equipment such as finger-training boards and moonboards; less commonly used on main climbing walls.

　　rubber

　　Advantages: Excellent slip resistance, soft and safe.

　　Applicable to: early-learning training for young children, warm-up walls, and other scenarios with high safety requirements.

　　Emerging and DIY Materials

　　PLA (polylactic acid)

　　Used for 3D-printing custom holds; the surface can be frosted, with low production costs (about RMB 5 per piece); requires M5 screws for secure mounting.

　　Suitable for home DIY climbing walls or fingerboards.