Grab your climbing shoes and chalk up, we’re going to deep dive into climbing gear that’s perfect for improving your grip and form, particularly climbing with fingerboards. Passionate climbers, from beginners to the advanced, will appreciate the grit it takes to master these boards and consequently better one’s climbing performance. Expect a thorough look at some top picks, each tailored to different skill levels and individual training needs.
Our Hangboard Top Picks
- Beastmaker 2000 Hardcore Hangboard
- Metolius Wood Grips II
- Danger Buddies BuddyBoard Hangboard
- Metolius Simulator 3D Training Board
Beastmaker 2000 Hardcore Hangboard
Pros
- Challenges finger strength to test your limits
- Handholds designed to target any specific weakness
- The wood texture is gentle on the skin yet provides sufficient grip
- Suitable for experienced climbers
- Sustainable North American Tulipwood – FSC certified
Cons
- Not suited for beginners
- The steepness of some holds may be too challenging for intermediate climbers
The Beastmaker 2000 – designed to challenge even seasoned climbers – seeks to test the limits of your finger strength and help you surpass your climbing goals. Co-created with input from some of the UK’s top climbers, this hangboard encourages you to target your weaknesses and enhance your overall strength.
Created meticulously, each hold on the hangboard has been well thought out and crafted with a careful radius to minimise the chances of tweaking. Furthermore, the wood texture is specifically designed to be gentle on your skin while still giving you adequate grip. For any climber aiming to maintain their grip, this hangboard serves as an excellent training tool.
Used by professional climbers like Shauna Coxsey and Alex Tunnel for training, Beastmaker is regarded as the standard in hangboarding. Priced the same at around 85 pounds (approx 200 AED), the choice depends simply on your climbing level.
Metolius Wood Grips II
Pros
- More user-friendly, with top-to-bottom taper providing more clearance for your forearms.
- Aesthetically pleasing natural wood finish.
- Wide variety of holds, including new larger jugs at the top.
- Available in two size versions: deluxe and compact.
- Inclusive of mounting hardware, comprehensive instructions and a training guide.
Cons
- Less vibrant in colour compared to other training boards.
- May require more header space for the deluxe version.
After countless trials, we propelled the Metolius Wood Grips II into the market – premium-grade and deluxe training boards. Metolius Wooden Grip boards have proven to be a hit amongst our clientele, predominantly due to their sophisticated natural wooden aesthetics combined with a comforting touch. These boards harmonise well with any room’s decor making them perfect additions to a lounge or bedroom.
Of course, the natural allure of wood remains to be one of Metolius Wood Grips II’s significant draws; nevertheless, we’ve also advanced the product in other visible ways. The deluxe version of these wood grip boards measures 24” x 8.5” (610 mm x 216 mm), offering a substantial area for diverse grip training. For those with limited header space above your door, we’ve kept your situation in mind. The compact version is slightly smaller at 24″ x 6.2″ (610 mm x 157 mm) but offers a comparable variety of holds at a rather favourable price point.
Enrich your training experience whilst enhancing the allure of your living space with the Metolius Wood Grips II. Once you feel the smooth touch of the natural wood beneath your fingertips, you’ll understand the popularity of our wooden grip boards.
Danger Buddies BuddyBoard Hangboard
Pros
- Versatile with various pockets and edges for comprehensive training
- Designed with body alignment in mind
- Inbuilt phone holder for easy access during workouts
- Recessed bolt hangers for diverse workouts
- Quality construction
Cons
- Some may find initial installation complex
- Might be less suited for advanced climbers
Our latest offering, the BuddyBoard Hangboard, brought to you by none other than Danger Buddies, has already captured the attention of climbers across the country. Specialising in creating not just climbing gear, but also photography equipment designed for climbers, Danger Buddies has now partnered with Adventure Rock out of Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Adventure Rock, a respected local climbing chain, has shared its insight and expertise in the development of the BuddyBoard. This shared passion for climbing has resulted in a product that’s thoughtful, professional and incredibly cool.
The BuddyBoard caters to a wide range of pocket depths, accommodating everything from a 40 millimetre two-finger pocket to a 20 millimetre four-finger pocket. Additionally, with a built-in 20-degree sloping edge and side jugs for pull-ups, your training exercises are almost limitless in scope. Moreover, the board’s anchor points set it apart as a modern training tool, perfect for counterweight exercises.
One standout feature that’s worth highlighting is the innovative cell phone holder, allowing you to conveniently position your phone during workouts. This could come in handy for timing sessions or following along with training exercises. In fact, BuddyBoard is one of the few boards on the market that comes with a comprehensive training plan included.
Metolius Simulator 3D Training Board
Pros
- Comprehensive variety of holds
- Ergonomic broad tapering arc
- Gentle on the skin fine grain texture
- Comprehensive fitting instructions
- Mounting hardware included
Cons
- Requires dedicated wall space for installation
Our mates at Metolius have brought to the market, a new generation of their top-ranking training board – Simulator 3D. With its sweeping range of holds, the Simulator 3D aims to assist climbers in improving their forearm, grip, and finger strength. This board also serves those interested in upping their pull-up game with ample opportunities for both standard and offset pull-ups.
Addressing one of the most common concerns among prospective board purchasers: despite its utility, it’s size makes it easy to fit into smaller spaces. Recognise that storage space is a luxury for many, this compact board ensures that no one need miss out on the chance to increase their climbing proficiency.
Don’t let vague intimidation stand in your way of progression. Your best preparation for whatever physical challenge lies ahead is waiting for you to grab on tight and pull yourself up! Here are the Aussie conversions for the dimensions: 711 mm x 222 mm, otherwise it’s 28″ x 8.75″.
