Since its inception ten years ago (2014), the CBJ Grip List has been informing the climbing gym industry and the routesetting trade on the favorite grips of routesetters around the world. Beyond the data, behind every Grip List award is ultimately the hard work of teams of shapers, setters and other professionals at climbing hold companies, and we’re proud to celebrate the fruits of their labor with you each year.
This year’s Grip List Survey methodology functioned similarly to past year’s, with professional setters―those who get paid to set―determining the Setter’s Choice awards, and all setters responding to the survey deciding the People’s Choice and Homewall awards.
As in recent years, setters ranked their first, second and third favorite brands for the Setter’s Choice Holds and People’s Choice Holds votes. A vote for first favorite earned that brand 5 points, second 4 points and third 3 points, with the sum of all the points becoming that brand’s total vote. This methodology originated from veteran shaper Ty Foose and aims to provide a better representation of brand popularity among setters versus a single brand vote. The other votes, however, were handled plainly as in years past, with every vote counting as one.
Below is a flowchart which illustrates the methodology used to determine this year’s awards, and a brand-new Grip List dashboard showing the full survey results can be accessed by clicking here. The voting results from the Grip Showcase events in Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City can be found at the indicated links.
Congratulations again to the winners of the 2023 Grip List awards, our 10th anniversary edition!
Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!
