Does chalk make you a better climber?!

This week we are joined by Oscar and John from Kletterkalk talking all things chalk!
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[@wellbornyouth]

Request for next video: a 'blind' chalk test, where you climb with a selection of different brands of chalks (decanted into anonymous bags) and see if you can guess which is which 😁

[@chrisembryclimbing]

or just see if different chalk brands have a different feel and performance, like the use of rental shoes video.

[@AllegraClimbingPsychologist]

You can find a similar video on the TAMY channel! ;)

[@emmasimmons6212]

That would actually be really useful!

[@60SecondBoooks]

​there are already quite big testings of chalk brands with the climber knowing which the are putting on. The blind pick would spice it up

[@Duckers_]

0:45 Speak for yourself Louis, I also interact with the wall using my shins quite regularly

[@miel_ap]

And the elbows... a lot of elbows, unfortunately

[@glintineye]

Reporting in on knees. I'm not sure if I have skin on those anymore.

[@averageboulderer]

I can't even feel my shin anymore.

[@VilTheVillain]

Shins and forearms. I like dynamic moves and often those other pesky holds get in the way haha

[@HavelockBanana]

I hope louis will recover from the knee injury! I actually noticed that i really miss your climbing videos Louis :D Good recovery to you!

[@YSlimbo]

He is hurt ?? Nooooooo…. 😢

[@AllegraClimbingPsychologist]

About liquid chalk, I noticed it also decreases the temperature of the skin quite a lot. Which makes me prefer it during summer rather than winter. Also, which liquid chalk have you used that dries in 10 minutes 🤣🤣🤣 One minute at most and you're done! I use it as a mindset trigger to spend a couple seconds more calming down and reading the route 😌

[@requiemz22]

Looks very nice, I hope to see the chalk in the US sometime, thanks for the info guys!

[@JakeSclimbing]

seems like the friendliest guy around

[@jonathanyes112]

Good to see you back Louis

[@juancosta775]

Good stuff! More climbing videos !

[@nilsp9426]

Okay, the testing wasn't terribly fair regarding the difference in technique :'D

[@miel_ap]

I was really interested with the skin test they performed - could you elaborate on the device and process used? Btw one gripe I had with what Oscar said - climbing chalk (MgCO3) is not water soluble so it doesn't really dissolve in water (from what I understand the crystals are actually hygroscopic so they suck up the moisture until they're *full*, and get washed away by the rest of the liquid)

[@lukeytron]

I learned more from this comment than the video. The guy on the left knows this chemistry. Why didn't they let him speak? This felt like advertising, not advice.

[@Rubafix989]

In France a lot of indoor climbing gym don't allow powder chalk because of respiratory concerns.

[@MusclesfromB]

These guys are like the Walter White and Jesse Pinkman of chalk, making it in their bathtub lmao

[@max_kl]

Not what I expected from the title, this was basically just an unreflected Kletterkalk ad...

[@lukeytron]

100% agree. All ad, with no actual information.

[@dkhemmen]

The mic on the brush made me chuckle

[@lukeytron]

I think this was a great idea for a video but I feel like I didn't really learn much. I think they were trying not to get too technical, in an effort to make it accessible. This was an opportunity to get really nerdy, and deep into the chemistry/biology. Instead it felt like an infomercial. Maybe I'm being too harsh and I'm just not the target audience.

[@chrisembryclimbing]

Thanks for sharing the wisdom of what chalk is but that it's also acceptable to mix and find what works best for YOU. For the hang, it would have been awesome to figure out the level of effort to hang with chalk vs without. A good challenge to all who watch, try it and see if it makes a difference.

[@mandynicole5539]

Is there a way to get this chalk in the US?

[@LennyMtz]

I'm very curious of taking that skin test to see my composition of my skin compared to my climbing buddy, who doesn't use chalk. Would love to buy some of the Kletterkalk but I'm not sure if I want to pay for the USA shipping. I most likely will tho this seems worth it

[@AB-fh9zh]

Magnus thinks those bags are too small.

[@Kazmodan]

Would love to be able to get this in US

[@radikalvertikal3895]

One thing I always ask myself: does using chalk make holds in e.g. limestone more slippery than using no chalk? I somehow think that chalk and friction combined might impact the rock more than just sweaty hands (which might have some chemical interaction?) Any takes on that topic?

[@frosthammer917]

Chalk definitely makes holds more slippery over time. Since when you put your hand on it, it will deposit some chalk on there, and naturally the chalk will fill any pores or cracks or bumps in the rock first, making the surface more smooth and less grippy over time. No clue about limestone specifically but it could do something for sure.

[@radikalvertikal3895]

@@frosthammer917 my thoughts exactly, just wondering whether using chalk or no chalk is the better option ^^

[@zacharylaschober]

Since rosin builds up on the skin, does this build up on the rock? My assumption is yes what with the issues over pof, and am always disappointed to see rosin or colophonium or other varied names on a mass of liquid chalks as well as the nebulous “thickener” which may not be. Like the transparency you have in simply being magnesium carbonate and isopropyl alcohol.

[@emmasimmons6212]

(Informed) Impulse purchase! Just ordered a bag of the krux

[@Dustbinlid1]

Chalk does damage some rocks, sand stone. So if you're bouldering in Fontainebleau and you chalk up, you might get a few glares from the locals.

[@kevedwards]

Might give this a go but not really a fan of really fine chalk just feels like my fingers are like glass. Metrolis is my go too brand.

[@suchasreallife]

A friend of mine climbs with no chalk, I could never.. I prefer liquid chalk bc it works better for my skin

[@6996Gunslinger]

my palms dont sweat but i use chalk because it protects my skin so i can climb longer

[@V4SK1]

Amazing video, just bought some chalk from them! could you do a video on climbing shoes please!!!

[@generaltoshi9078]

first, also another banger keep up the good work

[@TheNitram8]

Chalking is fine but when everyone does it gyms look like a disgusting mess. So many dropped bags. So many wannabe bakers putting a mine worth of chalk on to climb a no hands slab.