Whether climbing indoors or outdoors, there are many ways to minimize your environmental footprint. Here’s a quick guide to becoming a greener climber!

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

One of the most effective ways to lessen your ecological impact is by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here are a few strategies:

• Whenever possible, opt for public transportation or active transportation (walking, cycling) to get to the climbing gym or outdoor sites. This can be challenging, but even small efforts count.
• Want to go further? Consider offsetting your emissions.
• Buy locally whenever possible, as this reduces emissions linked to long-distance transportation.
• For outdoor climbing, choose local crags instead of traveling long distances by plane. If you must fly, continental flights produce fewer GHGs than transatlantic ones.

Adopting a “Zero Waste” Approach

Here are some tips to minimize waste from your favorite sport:

• Use reusable water bottles and containers instead of plastic bottles or disposable packaging.
• When it comes to chalk, consider buying it in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
• Always pack out what you pack in when climbing outdoors and recycle whenever possible.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Gear

In recent years, there have been great improvements in climbing gear manufacturing to reduce its environmental impact. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Opt for brands that offer eco-friendly gear (recycled ropes, harnesses made from sustainable materials, clothing made from organic or recycled fibers, etc.).
• Choose high-quality products that last longer. They may be more expensive upfront, but they save money in the long run and require fewer resources.
• Wooden brushes are a more sustainable option compared to plastic ones.
• Instead of replacing worn-out climbing shoes, consider resoling them to extend their lifespan and reduce waste.

Eco-Conscious Outdoor Climbing

If you’re heading outdoors to climb boulders or big walls, there are several best practices to minimize your impact:

• Follow a “Leave No Trace” approach,
• If a climbing site is temporarily closed for ecological restoration, respect the closure.
• Minimize chalk use and brush off any marks you leave behind—this is both an environmental concern and a courtesy to fellow climbers.

Of course, it’s nearly impossible to climb without any impact, but many small decisions can help reduce our environmental footprint. By making more eco-conscious choices, we can collectively ensure that climbing remains sustainable for future generations!

Of course, your favorite sport—climbing, what else!—pushes you physically. But what if it was just as beneficial for your mental health? Let’s take a look at the positive effects of climbing on your mind.

Here and Now

What are you thinking about when you’re holding onto two crimps and need to make a committing move to an uncertain hold? What’s going through your mind when you’re about to launch into a big dyno to a jug that seems oh-so-far away? Probably nothing—or just the next move. And that’s one of the beauties of our favorite sport: it’s hard to think about work or school when you’re fully focused on a tiny foothold or a hold the size of a credit card. And these benefits apply to both outdoor and indoor climbing.

This is similar to what meditation practitioners aim for: being present in the moment. Climbing helps achieve this state, which can reduce stress and anxiety—effects that have even been backed by studies. Having fun while managing stress? Yes, please!

Cognitive Benefits

Another study highlights the cognitive benefits of climbing. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense: every route or problem requires strategic planning, movement anticipation, and quick decision-making. This constant mental stimulation helps develop concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills.

Emotional Regulation and Resilience

You know that last move on the slab, where you have to commit to stepping onto a sketchy foothold? And that little voice in your head telling you this might be a bit risky? Of course, in a gym like Bloc Shop, truly dangerous situations are extremely rare, but your brain is a strange little creature whispering all sorts of things.

The good news? Finding yourself in precarious positions teaches you to manage emotions and develop resilience. And after putting yourself in risky (yet controlled) situations, the small troubles of everyday life suddenly feel much less overwhelming.

A Few Tips to Boost Your “Zen”

• Lean on your tribe: Want to have a good session? Climb with a group of friends. I often hear groups cheering each other on at the gym in the evenings while I train, and honestly, I feel a bit envious. That energy? It’s almost like a performance-enhancing drug. The boost you get when your friends encourage you on a move no one else has stuck yet? Priceless. Bonus points for the social aspect.
• Ignore the grades: If you want to stay present in the moment or forget about your overbearing boss, stop worrying about grades and focus on movement. Friendly reminder: grades are subjective anyway.
• Do what you love: If you don’t want a mentally taxing climbing session, choose problems that match your style. You’ll have more fun—guaranteed.
• Go outside: The benefits of being in nature are well-documented. Being in nature and climbing? The perfect way to unplug.

Climbing is so much more than just a physical workout—it’s a holistic discipline that nurtures both body and mind. Go play on some boulders or routes; your mental (and physical) health will thank you!

On February 22nd, Bloc Shop is taking a deep dive into the golden era of bouldering competitions with the Open Dark Room. This event brings back the raw, no-frills spirit of legendary early 2000s comps like the Pusher PCA Tour.

Back to the Basics

In the 2000s-2010s, bouldering comps were radically different from today’s flashy formats. No giant volumes, no parkour-style moves, no social media hype—just climbers facing brutally technical problems where power and precision ruled.

That’s exactly what Open Dark Room is reviving: 50 boulders, two qualifying waves, and an epic final round in the unique atmosphere of the Dark Room. A true return to the essence of bouldering.

Why Compete?

First, to test yourself in an old-school format that leaves no room for tricks. Second, for the sheer energy of the event: sweat, raw effort, and an electric underground comp vibe. And of course, for the prizes. With a total prize pool of $9,000, this competition has some serious stakes.

• 1st place: $2,000
• 2nd place: $1,500
• 3rd place: $1,000

And because we wanted to add a legendary retro touch: the two winners will take home a pair of Over the Top sunglasses. Yes, those Over the Top sunglasses. If you know, you know.

Who’s It For?

Everyone. Whether you’re a nostalgic for the raw comps of the early 2000s or just want to experience a different kind of competition, this is for you. Expect tough problems, big energy, and a pure bouldering experience.

Oh, and spectators get in for free. So even if you’re not competing, don’t miss the finals—it’s going to be intense.

Event Details

• Date: February 22, 2025
• Location: Bloc Shop
• Registration: $45 for members, $55 for non-members
• Bonus: The first 100 registrants before January 30 get an exclusive t-shirt

Sign up now: Registration link

Let’s go!

Climbing shoes are like cars. You’re constantly promised something better and improved. But every now and then, a new release truly delivers on its promises. And for La Sportiva shoes, that means the Adam Ondra Comp.

The 15-second summary:

An upgraded version of La Sportiva’s Theory—slightly more aggressive and a bit more asymmetrical, designed to grip every foothold in its path.

The deep dive for the gear geeks:

At first, I was skeptical. Shoe companies regularly introduce “new” models that often feel like slight variations on the same theme—different colors, a bit more rubber here, a fancier closure system there. So, when I got my hands on the Ondra Comp, I wasn’t convinced they would be radically different. But I was wrong!

At first glance, the AO Comp seems like just another take on the Theory, which I already love. But a series of small changes make them, in my opinion, significantly better. First, they’re a bit stiffer, which really helps with foothold precision. They’re also slightly more asymmetrical than the Theory, and these two factors together completely change how the shoe grips holds. No joke—I was thrown off during my first few sessions because the AO Comp felt so sticky on the footholds. Bonus: they’re super comfortable right out of the box.

La Sportiva has also introduced a new system called SensGrip, which improves grip on rounded footholds. The toe box is stiffer but still allows you to feel what’s happening under your toes—definitely a plus.

I tested these shoes across all climbing styles: vertical, overhangs, slabs, volumes, and the Kilter Board. They quickly became my go-to shoes. They perform well in every scenario—I even sent two projects on the Kilter Board, and I’m convinced these shoes played a major role! Naturally, with all the rubber coverage, toe hooks are flawless. And as always, La Sportiva’s heel design does not disappoint (at least for me!).

I see these as ideal bouldering shoes, both indoors and outdoors, as well as for sport climbing—probably better for shorter, overhung routes rather than 50-meter vertical pitches. The AO Comp seems like a great choice for intermediate to advanced climbers, who will be able to take full advantage of their performance.

My verdict?

The AO Comp has earned a spot in my climbing shoe quiver. They feel like an incredible tool for tackling different styles and problems. Will they make me climb more like Adam Ondra? Who knows!

And we have them on our online store, check them out !

On one of my first climbing trips, I found myself in Italy with a friend, climbing pristine limestone. We met a few friendly local climbers, one of whom we’ll call Toni. A firefighter and a very serious climber, he was in spectacular physical shape. One evening, we gathered around a fire, chatting about various topics, including training. His girlfriend translated what he was saying into English, but I clearly remember understanding the message when he talked about an important aspect of climbing: rest, rest, rest.

Why Rest Is Important?

Rest serves several purposes. First, there’s the well-known function of muscle tissue repair. When your muscles work hard over a certain period and intensity, tiny micro-tears occur. Your body repairs them, making your muscles stronger (and bigger, depending on your activity). Another key purpose: allowing your central nervous system to recover. Certain climbing moves, like coordination-intensive movements or dynos, are demanding on your brain. Overdoing it can lead to diminishing returns in movement quality.

And perhaps the most important reason to rest: quality trumps quantity. Your body and brain “record” the last movements you perform during a session. So if you’ve just done a marathon four-hour climbing session without stopping, you’ll climb much worse toward the end. Not to mention, you’ll need significant time to climb out of the fatigue hole you’ve dug for yourself.

Don’t overlook external factors either: school or work (or both), family, and life stresses all affect your body’s ability to recover.

Here’s a great chart showing how the body reacts to physical stress (and training):

Key takeaway: when your climbing/training load is too high, your body takes longer to recover, and you risk injury.

Weekly Rest

If you’re climbing five days a week, it’s likely your body is overtrained, and your performance is suffering—even if you don’t realize it. This is especially true if every session is all-out on your projects. A general rule of thumb: two days of activity followed by one day of rest provides a sustainable rhythm. You might need to adjust if you’re older or recovering from an injury. Also, vary your intensity: a high-intensity day followed by an easier volume day helps prevent overtraining.

“Deload” Rest

If you’re training, plan for a rest week after a training cycle to allow your body to “integrate” what you’ve done and overcompensate. Typically, in a deload phase, you greatly reduce volume but maintain intensity to keep your body stimulated without adding fatigue.

Annual Rest

Bad news: you can’t climb at your peak all year round. It’s simply impossible. Why? Because your body can’t handle the stress of hard climbing 12 months a year. That’s why taking downtime is essential. For outdoor climbers, this often happens naturally at the end of the season. For indoor climbers, make sure to schedule times during the year—like vacations or the holiday season—where you slow down or even stop for a week.

What to Do While Resting

Doing another highly stressful activity while trying to recover from climbing isn’t the best idea. Doing nothing? Not bad. Light yoga or mobility exercises? Even better. Gentle movement (like walking or casual cycling) promotes blood flow without stressing the body further. Don’t forget: stay hydrated and eat well. Then you’ll be ready to crush holds again in no time!