Made in USA and infinitely customizable, you're likely to see this bucket in dozens of iterations at practically every bouldering gym. Two pockets hold your phone and small necessities plus a couple of brush holders. Gotta salute the OG.
Price: $48
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What Kind Of Chalk Should I Use?
Chalk isn't just for gymnasts. It is also one of the essential items in any climber's kit. Chalk helps climber's combat moisture (i.e. sweat) and improves grip. It's best to use as little chalk as necessary while climbing, as over-chalking can cause you to lose friction and lose your grip on holds. Where chalk is concerned, a little goes a long way. There are several kinds of chalk you can use, depending on their feel and form and your preference. Here's a primer:
Block Chalk: This is pure chalk without any additional drying agents. Block chalk is, as the name implies, a solid block of chalk, which you can crush in your hands until it becomes your preferred consistency. It is also easier to transport since the powder is compacted and won't blow everywhere, or spill all over if your bag is tipped. Buying gymnast chalk blocks in bulk is a cost saving method that works as well as shelling out for fancy name brand stuff.
Loose Chalk: Loose chalk is a combination of pure chalk and chalk with drying agents mixed in. It is pretty convenient since it is already ground to a powdery consistency and easy to apply. You can find some brands of loose chalk that offer a finer or coarser grind, depending on your desired texture. Pair with a chalk ball or just dump the loose chalk into your chalk bag and you're ready to climb.
Liquid chalk: This specialty chalk is a mixture of chalk and alcohol. The alcohol in liquid chalk dries quickly after you rub it on your hands, leaving a chalky residue that won't rub right off. The benefit of using liquid chalk is it keeps chalk dust and hold marks to a minimum and won't easily come off on your clothing. The downside is the goey feeling and plastic packaging waste. Either way, you'll want to store liquid chalk in an airtight container so it doesn't spill out while you're hiking to your favorite climbing route.
Hygienic Liquid Chalk: A new concept developed during the COVID-19 pandemic by Friction Labs, hygienic liquid chalk uses pure magnesium carbonate and 80% alcohol–the concentration that is the recommended by WHO, CDC, and the FDA for alcohol-based sanitizers—to keep your hands grippy and clean. Plays nicely with conventional climbing chalk but functions fine all by itself, too.