Favorite Climbing Hold Shapers of Routesetters Since 2024

Shapers are the routesetters, artists and craftspeople who design climbing holds. They work with foam and, more recently, digital tools to create the original prototypes of holds, macros and volumes. Shapers draw from many sources for inspiration, such as the movement they would like to set on the wall, rock formations they’ve seen outdoors, and modern sculpture. Behind every climbing grip is someone who dreamed up the idea, crafting aesthetic and functional building blocks of modern routesetting that enable the movements climbers love. Hold shapers are not to be confused with hold brands, which sell the holds that shapers design—although many shapers have their own hold brands—or hold manufacturers, which pour the final product. The Favorite Shaper category recognizes these individuals for their creativity and influence.

Learn More About Annual CBJ Grip List Survey

Jump to annual awards: 2025 – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014