Best Climbing Holds 2026
Building a home climbing wall is one of the best investments for training and family fun. The right holds turn any plywood sheet into a legitimate training tool or a backyard play wall for the kids. We have reviewed the top climbing hold sets to help you pick the right shapes, sizes, and mounting styles for your project.
TOPNEW
TOPNEW 32 Rock Climbing Holds
32-piece multi-size set with mounting hardware for DIY home walls
ZENFUN
ZENFUN 25 Pack Rock Climbing Holds
Colourful 25-piece kit with knotted rope included for kids play walls
Ogrmar
Ogrmar 25 PCS Rock Climbing Holds
Affordable 25-piece DIY set with screws and hardware included
Rocky Mountain Climbing Gear
Rocky Mountain 25 Screw On Climbing Holds
Simple screw-on holds for quick installation without T-nuts
Everett & Avey Co.
Everett & Avey Premium Climbing Holds (Earth Tones)
Premium holds in stylish earth tones that blend into home decor
Trymaker
Trymaker 30 PCS Rock Climbing Holds (Small)
30-piece small hold set ideal for adding difficulty to existing walls
How to Choose Climbing Holds
Think about who is climbing. Kids need larger, easier-to-grip holds. Training walls need a variety of edge sizes. Play walls benefit from colourful, fun shapes.
Key Factors
Material: Polyurethane (PU) holds are the gym standard — durable, textured, and available in every shape. Polyester resin holds are cheaper but can feel slippery. Wood holds are skin-friendly for training.
Mounting: Bolt-on holds use T-nuts and bolts for secure, repositionable mounting. Screw-on holds attach directly with screws — easier to install but harder to move. Most serious walls use bolt-on.
Set Size: Starter sets of 20-35 holds cover a small wall. Larger walls need 50+ holds. Buy a variety of shapes: jugs, crimps, slopers, and pinches.
Difficulty: Large jugs are beginner-friendly. Smaller edges, slopers, and pinches add challenge for experienced climbers. A good set includes a mix.
Budget Guide
- Budget ($25-50): 20-30 piece screw-on sets for kids and play walls
- Mid-range ($50-100): 30-50 piece bolt-on sets with varied shapes
- Premium ($100+): Large sets with competition-style shapes and textures
Frequently Asked Questions
You need a sturdy frame (2x4 or 2x6 lumber), 3/4" plywood sheets, T-nuts drilled into the plywood, and bolt-on climbing holds. The wall can be vertical for beginners or angled up to 45 degrees for advanced training. Many online guides and YouTube tutorials walk through the full build process.
T-nuts are threaded inserts that hammer into pre-drilled holes in your plywood. Bolt-on holds screw into them with hex bolts. They allow you to easily reposition holds without damaging the wall. Screw-on holds skip T-nuts but cannot be repositioned as easily.
A rough guide is 5-10 holds per square metre of wall surface. A small 8x4 ft panel needs about 20-30 holds. A full garage wall may need 80-100+. Start with a basic set and add more as you set new routes.
Yes — large jug-style holds are very safe for children when properly mounted. Ensure your wall is low enough (under 2m) or has adequate padding below. Supervise young children and check that all bolts are tight before each session.
New to climbing?
Our guides can help you get started and make the right gear choices.
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Ready to Climb?
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