The sharp, staccato burst of a drill; the gentle pat-pat-pat of a chalk sock; the metallic clang of shuffling ladders…in our day-to-day routesetting sessions is where the craft of routesetting lives, and it’s where the Grip List Awards are ultimately decided each year.
This year, setters voting in the Grip List Survey made their priorities clear: ergonomic comfort, ease of use, versatility and quality. These words came up again and again in the survey responses. With more hold options to choose from than ever, the finer details can make all the difference, and setters are increasingly veering toward grips that make their jobs more efficient, effective and sustainable. This slow-stewing evolution comes as no surprise; as routesetting becomes more professionalized by the year—with this year seeing the launch of the CWA’s Professional Routesetting Certifications, for example—so too do the grips fueling the craft.
Big competition stages continued to influence what routesetters gravitated toward in their grip selections this year, as well. Dual texture and no texture, uni-directional holds and flashy macros still play a key part in the setting zeitgeist, while jibs, screw-ons and micro-edges continue to shift from background players to main characters. These competition mainstays always find their way into local gyms, where members now expect that same mix of spectacle underfoot (and hand).
Like other industry sectors, businesses in the holds sector—especially in the U.S.—had to navigate shifts in tariffs and international trade in 2025, which have reportedly been impacting the markets for polyurethane and resin. In a sector where margins are already tight and international distribution is central to growth, it all creates fresh uncertainties for hold suppliers and their customers. But those challenges haven’t put a pause on innovation. Hold shapers, brands and manufacturers have been continuing to respond to routesetters’ needs, not only with new shapes but also with lighter materials that reduce shipping costs and more recyclable options that reduce waste.
To celebrate the full circle of businesses bringing these tools of the trade to life, CBJ followed up the addition of the Favorite Shaper award last year with a new Favorite Manufacturer award this year. Which manufacturer topped the list in the category’s debut? Which brands further cemented their legacy, and which one cracked the Grip List for the first time? Whose shaping skills have setters been appreciating most? We highlight all the winners from 2025—setters’ favorite holds, volumes, board systems, apps and more—and share the full results in each category below.
Thank you to all the routesetters who voted in this year’s survey, as well as all the shapers, brands and manufacturers who have been stocking setters’ closets with these fundamental building blocks of our sport. Your passion is core to what makes this industry thrive!
Jump To Results:
Holds – Volumes – Macros – Board Systems – Setting App – Spraywall App – Shaper – Manufacturer
Favorite Climbing Holds 2025
FLATHOLD
Flathold, co-led by Manuel Hassler and Mathieu Achermann, continued its reign at the top of the Grip List for a third straight year and again secured multiple awards, including the Grand Prize, Favorite Holds and Favorite Macros titles. Known for balancing timelessness with thoughtful innovation, the Switzerland-based brand has consistently delivered shapes that setters praise for their comfort, versatility and quality.
2025 marked a milestone for Flathold with the launch of Ravage, the first range shaped by new team member Yoris Delahay.
“This year has been a little bit special,” Achermann told CBJ. “After two years of collaborating with Yoris, teaching him, let’s say, ‘the Flathold style,’ Yoris released his first range for the brand and became the first external new shaper in the team.”
Inspired by natural textures, Ravage blends slick, quartz-like seams with soft, controlled surfaces, extending Flathold’s long-running exploration of dual texture.
For Hassler and Achermann, bringing Delahay into the fold was more than just about new shapes. “It was also an interesting process for Manu and me to exchange with a new shaper,” Achermann explained. “It gives a different perspective and a new, fresh motivation in the team. We are happy to finally also share our experience and knowledge with a new shaper.”
Flathold also launched Mephisto, a series of nine fiberglass macros designed as true slopers; the cleanly lined, dual-texture grips force particular body positions while still remaining usable even on steep walls. Both Ravage and Mephisto embody what the team at Flathold consider to be their signature offering: organic yet functional shapes.
It’s not always about what’s new for Flathold, though; among Flathold’s most enduring contributions cited in the Grip List is the Damage Control line. Survey responses in 2025 and years past repeatedly singled it out as one of the most reliable and versatile hold families in the industry, showing that while Flathold may always be releasing new shapes, their classics still anchor countless gyms and competitions, too.
Looking ahead, the team is showing no signs of slowing. Achermann told CBJ that a pocket extension of the Lucha Libre line will debut by the end of the year, followed by a major release of 200 new shapes in 2026.
“So many incredible shapes that can be used for both high-level comp setting and really fun commercial problems.”
– Molly Beard, Head Setter, Brimstone Boulders, USA
“The PU allows for stacking and thus an increase in variability.”
– Rom Snir, Level 2 National Setter, Totem Climbing Pardes Hana, Asia
1 – Flathold (19.10%)
2 – Cheeta (10.64%)
3 – Bluepill (6.1%)
4 – Kilter (5.35%)
5 – Decoy (4.48%)
6 – Teknik (4.26%)
7 – IBEX (3.14%)
8 – Pusher (2.64%)
9 – AG (2.33%)
10 – Ocelot (2.02%)
11 – Axis (1.99%)
11 – SupR (1.99%)
13 – Trango (1.96%)
14 – Blocz (1.87%)
15 – CCE (1.71%)
16 – Rock Candy (1.68%)
17 – Unleashed (1.46%)
17 – Xcult (1.46%)
19 – Squadra (1.4%)
20 – Unit (1.31%)
21 – Urban Plastix (1.24%)
22 – 360 (1.21%)
22 – eXpression (1.21%)
22 – So iLL (1.21%)
25 – Escape (1.09%)
+71 brands had under 1%
Favorite Wood Volumes 2025
BLOCZ
For a sixth consecutive year, Blocz again took home the Favorite Wood Volumes award in the Grip List. Operating out of Germany, the brand’s volumes are frequently heralded for their durability and versatility.
In 2025, Blocz focused on refining existing designs rather than expanding their catalog. Alongside classics like the Boards and Triangles, the company redesigned older lines too, such as the Rectangles and Squares, which customers welcomed for their updated utility that maintains the strength of the originals. When it comes to fine-tuning proven designs instead of releasing new shapes for novelty alone, Blocz continues to be among the brands at the forefront of that trend.
Tom Petzold, founder and CEO of both Blocz and Element Boulders, a climbing gym in Switzerland, told CBJ that the driving philosophy behind Blocz is “innovation through collaboration.”
“We co‑develop with setters and gyms worldwide,” Petzold continued. “[We] test relentlessly in real environments and iterate quickly.”
Durability remains a core focus at the company. Blocz constructs volumes from premium birch plywood, reinforces stress points, and applies coatings that hold up to commercial wear. They also provide upcycling kits that allow gyms to repair and refresh volumes, extending the lifespan and reducing waste.
As gym owners themselves, the Blocz team develops products based on the needs they encounter daily, testing them with setters worldwide before releasing them to the public. Looking ahead, they plan to continue updating older lines while exploring production methods that combine lightweight, 3D-printed grips with epoxy coatings, with a goal of improving the handling and longevity of their creations.
“Blocz has dialed in the texture, and they have so many great shapes that are simple and versatile.”
– Connor Westlake, Routesetter, HiClimb, USA
“It’s the quality and the vast catalog. It’s hard to compete with Blocz.”
– Lucas Bundy, Director of Routesetting, CityRock, USA
1 – Blocz (19.18%)
2 – Usable Surface (9.80%)
3 – AVA (8.98%)
4 – Fit (6.94%)
5 – Cheeta (5.71%)
5 – Solution (5.71%)
7 – Bluepill (3.67%)
8 – Simpl (2.86%)
9 – Dimension (2.04%)
9 – DIY by gym (2.04%)
11 – EP (2.04%)
+43 brands had under 2%
Favorite Macros 2025
FLATHOLD
Flathold topped the Favorite Macros category again in 2025, a title they haven’t lost since the category was introduced five years ago.
Survey responses showed that what sets Flathold’s macros apart is how they balance comfort and creativity. Routesetters described them as ergonomic yet challenging, with shapes that can serve both beginner-friendly movement and World-Cup-style difficulty. Many setters emphasized the brand’s versatility; as one voter put it, “if there’s a move I want to set, I can usually set it with Flathold.” Others pointed to clean dual-texture designs, a wide variety across the ranges, and timeless slopers as reasons why Flathold macros continue to feel indispensable.
Survey responses also highlighted the company’s artistic vision, calling their macros “iconic” and “works of art” that elevate the look of any wall. Beyond aesthetics, setters consistently praised their reliability, describing the macros as durable, well made, and adaptable across different terrains and grades. Across the comments, one theme kept emerging: Flathold macros aren’t just popular—they’re viewed as essential tools of modern routesetting.
“I feel like the diversity in most of the sets are just unmatched when it comes to trying to force a certain move set.”
– Carter Hawkins, Lead Routesetter, Climbing Collective, USA
“For me they are classic shapes, well made, well thought about and well executed.”
– William Hammersla, National Coach and Chief Routesetter, Swiss Alpine Club, Switzerland
1 – Flathold (29.44%)
2 – Bluepill (14.72%)
3 – SupR (5.63%)
4 – AG (4.76%)
4 – Cheeta (4.76%)
6 – Xcult (3.46%)
7 – 360 (3.03%)
8 – IBEX (2.60%)
8 – Kilter (2.60%)
10 – Absolute (2.16%)
10 -ArtLine (2.16%)
10 -Morpho (2.16%)
10 -Rockcity (2.16%)
+30 brands had under 2%
Favorite Training Board Hold System 2025
TENSION
Runner-up the past few years, this year Denver-based Tension claimed the top honors and won its first-ever Grip List award as the Favorite Training Board Hold System.
Tension just celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and while their products have certainly evolved over the years, their core philosophy has stayed the same. CBJ spoke with Michael Rosato, the Marketing Director at Tension, who pointed out that nearly everyone at Tension is a seasoned climber who uses the products themselves. “We are them,” Rosato said. That guiding principle has fueled a decade of innovation in boards and training equipment, from campus rungs to hangboards.
In 2016, the original Tension Board introduced a host of firsts: angle adjustability, wooden holds, mirrored layouts, foot-only LED options, and matching/no-matching rules within the app. The second generation, Tension Board 2, launched in 2022 and built on that foundation, providing a hybrid layout that offers two distinct hold configurations in a single set. Designed to be what Tension calls “an adaptable platform,” the TB2 allows climbers to progress from a spray-style experience to systematic weakness training without additional purchases.
The TB2 was intentionally designed to deliver a more comprehensive progression environment. Tension spent nearly four years testing variables, comparing spraywalls and mirrored boards to determine the mix of hold diversity, grip textures and wall angles they wanted on the board. The result is a system that’s purposefully built to make users better all-around climbers—not just stronger in one style.
Rosato also emphasized that a board is more than hardware. “If the board is the body, the brand is the soul,” Rosato told CBJ. Through content, clinics, and global database curation, Tension is among the leading brands who have been fostering a board climbing culture that treats boards not only as training tools but as destinations in their own right.
“Actual rock climbing skills on a hyper-dense board with finger-intense grips.”
– Max Donovan, Regional Routesetting Manager, The Spot, USA
“Plastic and wood options, challenging and good routes.”
– Sierra McMurry, Routesetter, Triangle Rock Club, USA
1 – Tension (40.09%)
2 – Kilter (31.98%)
3 – Moon (13.96%)
4 – Decoy (3.60%)
5 – Lumo (3.15%)
+12 brands had under 3%
Favorite Routesetting App 2025
PLASTICK / KAYA
For a fourth year in a row, KAYA/PLASTICK was voted by setters as the Favorite Routesetting App. The complementary platforms have always worked in tandem, with setters managing routes in the PLASTICK platform and climbers interacting with them in the KAYA app.
KAYA’s mission, the team said, is “to help climbers share meaningful experiences on and off the wall.” Over the past few years, they have been expanding the platform beyond routesetting tools into what they describe as “a holistic member engagement and retention tool for our partner gyms.”
The idea, the KAYA team explained, is that while gyms remain the places where climbers gather, KAYA serves as “the digital layer that keeps climbers connected with their community while outside of the gym, and it’s a powerful tool to help climbers unlock beta and discover their next project.”
A recent feature of late, called Climbers You Follow, puts friends’ climbing activity directly on a user’s homepage, so they can celebrate each other’s achievements. “Climbers who follow each other and connect with their friends on KAYA end up cultivating healthy, thriving communities in their gyms,” the team stated.
Looking ahead, KAYA plans to keep rolling out more tools for gyms and members to strengthen their climbing and social experiences, while aiming to “continue to build with the climber at the forefront to help cultivate meaningful connections.”
“Easy to use.”
– Jacqueline Des Rosiers, Head Routesetter, Hogtown Boulders, USA
“The tools it offers for tracking different analytics is super helpful when it comes to balancing all the climbs in a gym.”
– Anthony Lara, Senior Routesetter, Alta Climbing, USA
1 – Plastick /KAYA (43.66%)
2 – Griptonite (11.27%)
3 – Vertical-Life (8.45%)
4 – Pebble (7.04%)
5 – Climb Time (5.63%)
5 – TopLogger (5.63%)
7 – spreadsheets (4.23%)
8 – Social Boulder (2.82%)
+8 brands had under 2%
Favorite Spraywall App 2025
STOKT
Stōkt has won the Favorite Spraywall App award every year since it began in 2022, and this year marked their fourth consecutive victory. In fact, Stōkt was the only brand in 2025 to claim over half the vote in a Grip List category.
The team attributes that success to building an app that feels “like it’s made by people who actually climb,” pointing out that everyone on the Stōkt team is not only a climber but also has a background in technology or design. Together they embrace the reality that every wall—and community that uses it—is different by designing tools with a focus on respecting individuality and responding to feedback.
Through the Stōkt platform, gyms can create contests, challenges and leaderboards for members, and climbers can find climbs on spraywalls and add their own, with the ability to grade climbs, share beta, track performance and more.
Looking ahead, Stōkt is experimenting with how AI could be used to make training and setting more intuitive. From personalized progression tools to smarter feedback loops, the company sees potential in combining data and creativity to help climbers to keep moving forward. Even if it sounds complex, they assured their philosophy remains simple: to continue being a climber-driven team that uses design and tech to make the climbing industry “more creative, more connected and more sustainable.”
“Cool how it outlines the holds. Very easy to use.”
– Jono Giles, Freelance Routesetter, Kingline Routesetting, Australia/Oceania
“Easy to use, great graphics. Resets are done incredibly fast. We use it for our three adjustable commercial boards as well as our 16’ spraywall.”
– Ben Bivins, Head Setter, Burly Bloc, USA
1 – Stōkt (54.87%)
2 – Retro Flash (11.50%)
3 – Lumo (7.96%)
4 – Crux Climb (5.31%)
4 – Kilter (5.31%)
6 – Boulderbook (4.42%)
7 – Moon (2.65%)
+7 brands had under 2%
Favorite Shaper 2025
DAN YAGMIN
Dan Yagmin of Decoy has now won the Favorite Shaper award two years in a row, after the category was first introduced in 2024. Known for drawing on natural forms and textures, Yagmin told CBJ: “I am largely inspired by nature, even when it comes to smooth shapes. I think in nature there is a certain level of nuance present that is always interesting to me.”
Much of his recent inspiration has come from climbing near his home in New England on boulders and crags made of fine-grained granitic gneiss. “From this rock I have found a lot of inspiration, and it’s what has largely driven the development of the Gneiss range that we recently launched.”
Although he describes himself as a traditionalist, Yagmin has still embraced modern tools for shaping and hold creation, such as Z-Brush. “As much as I think of myself as a traditionalist, I still enjoy pursuing the potential behind digital shaping, 3D printing, and thermoforming,” he explained. He sees these techniques not only as a source of stylistic innovation but also as a pathway toward more sustainable practices in hold shaping and manufacturing.
Survey responses this year reflected the same themes that run through Yagmin’s own philosophy. Setters consistently described his shapes as works of art, with details that evoke outdoor rock formations while remaining highly functional indoors. Others pointed to the way he balances ergonomics with creativity and cited an ability to connect with setters on a personal level. Setters also showed appreciation for his ranges at Decoy, from fine-textured jibs to large macros.
2025 was a busy year for Decoy, with new products that ranged from the PU Gneiss series made by Peak Polymers in Ohio to fiberglass Mobula Macros produced by Escape Structures in Bulgaria and recyclable jibs manufactured by Ghold in France. “From a personal perspective, I am most proud that Decoy has remained a small company where I can stay involved in many aspects of it,” Yagmin said, crediting collaborators TJ Kelly and Zach Smith for helping keep the company running while he continues to shape.
Looking ahead, Yagmin is working on a new layout for the Decoy Board and exploring a fully recyclable line with Ghold in France.
“No other hold shaper has nailed the detail of real rock like Dan has. He is a true artist and it shows in his holds, not only in functionality but in visuals. The intricate lines/details/indents and placement make his climbing holds truly mimic real rock.
– Jen Chmiel, Head Routesetter, Ascent Climbing Gym, USA
“I appreciate Dan’s versatility across a wide range of styles and aesthetics, while keeping his brand cohesive, fresh and relevant. His work only seems to increase in quality and strikes the right balance of ergonomics, novelty and practicality.”
– Karl Cordtz, Routesetter, Touchstone, USA
1 – Dan Yagmin (11.18%)
2 – Joseph Hoffmann/Wetzel (8.82%)
3 – Manu Hassler (7.06%)
4 – Ian Powell (6.47%)
5 – Dario Stefanou (5.88%)
6 – Jimmy Webb (4.12%)
7 – Frank Bogerman (3.53%)
7 – Joey Jannsen (3.53%)
7 – Peter Juhl (3.53%)
10 – Gautier Supper (2.94%)
10 – Jared Roth (2.94%)
12 – Laurent Laporte (2.35%)
12 – Roy Quanstrom (2.35%)
12 – Will Watkins (2.35%)
+40 shapers had under 2%
Favorite Manufacturer 2025
COMPOSITE-X
This year marked the debut of a new Grip List category recognizing hold manufacturers, and Bulgaria-based Composite-X took the inaugural honor. CBJ corresponded with chemist Daniel French, Composite-X’s Executive Director, to hear more about what sets them apart.
“Probably the depth of research and specialization we go to in the production process,” French said. “At CX we don’t really develop new science, but rather we take advantage of the huge opportunities of applying science and engineering solutions that already exist to climbing holds.”
Durability has been central to their reputation, thanks in large part to the Dannomond technology they use. “Durability or wear resistance was the key target parameter in developing the Dannomond formulation and process,” French explained. “Because we manufacture our own formulations from basic raw materials, we maintain complete control over the supply and chemistry.”
Customer feedback plays an equally important role in the team’s philosophy: “For us, the customer is usually the climbing hold brand, and they often come to us with new, innovative ideas. Our job is to figure out how to make those ideas a reality—turning their creative visions into high-performance products.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the team at Composite-X said they are exploring the use of new polyester resins that reportedly increase impact resistance six-fold, along with working on new textures, such as “Cool SKUISH”—which they describe as feeling like moleskin—and even one “that bites, like the feeling of a cat’s tongue.” More will be unveiled at the Vertical Pro trade show in Germany next month.
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the quality of plastic produced by Composite-X. Their colors are so vivid, the manufacturing is so crisp, and [the grips] seem to retain their texture even after the heaviest of use.”
– Aaron Young, Head Routesetter, Rockfish Climbing & Fitness, USA
“Flexible, durable, constant improvement in process.”
– Kyram Adsit, Regional Head Routesetter, Momentum, USA
1 – Composite X (21.43%)
2 – Blocz (14.29%)
3 – Aragon (12.42%)
4 – Peak Performance Polymers (9.94%)
5 – Schlamberger (4.97%)
6 – Kastline (4.04%)
7 – 360 (3.11%)
7 – Absolute (3.11%)
7 – Binary (3.11%)
7 – Xcult (3.11%)
11 – AG (2.48%)
+21 brands had under 2%
Methodology
This year’s Grip List Survey ran from July 17 to August 6, 2025, and was shared across CBJ’s digital platforms. Like last year, all routesetter votes—votes of professional setters who have been paid to set in the past 12 months or have set in a commercial climbing gym, competition, rec center or university/school setting—were compiled to decide all the awards.
For the Grand Prize and Favorite Holds awards, we assigned these points: each first pick got 5pts; each second pick got 4pts; each third pick got 3pts. The sum of the points determined the Favorite Holds brands, with the brand in 1st place receiving the Grand Prize. 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 voting for all other awards, however, was handled plainly as in years past, with each vote counting as one.
Below are some charts showing the distribution of the votes by various factors.
