Over the last 20 years, climbing has transformed from a niche outdoor recreation to a booming indoor activity, practiced by millions of people. We are building more gyms, with more holds on the wall, and it’s becoming clear we are facing a looming problem:

Millions of holds cannot be recycled and are on a one-way trip to the landfill.

Most holds on the wall today are made from thermoset materials: 2-part, petroleum based resins that set hard into the shape they initially cast into and cannot be melted down. This technology has allowed us to create beautiful, lightweight and strong climbing holds, but the outer surface always wears down with usage. Until now, that wear has been the primary cause of holds being taken out of setting circulation, despite the vast majority of the plastic being unaffected and the hold structurally sound.

We’re all familiar with the feeling of polished holds, and here at Retex, and we hate it.

In a game based on friction, feedback and subtlety, there is no worse frustration than firing off a hold with no warning. Due to the cost of new holds, gyms are stretching the usable life of their holds further and further, and the climber experience is suffering.

We’re incredibly excited to offer a simple, cost-effective and sustainable solution. Retex is a hold re-coating service that brings old holds back to life. Here in Boulder, CO we take in old holds, repair chips and holes that have accumulated with time and then coat them with a brand new texture. The holds go back to gyms, ready for setters to use them without being restricted by grip.