Crimps

Crimps are small climbing holds with a narrow gripping edge that allow only the fingertips to engage, offering little to no room for the full hand.

They demand high levels of finger strength, precision, and tension, making them one of the most challenging hold types. Crimps are often shallow and can be either positive or nearly flat, requiring careful grip selection and body positioning to use effectively.

Common characteristics:

  • Very thin edge, often only a few millimeters deep

  • Primarily used with a half-crimp or full-crimp grip

  • Limited surface area for finger contact

  • Highly sensitive to body position and foot placement

  • High finger and tendon load

Typical uses:

  • Advanced and expert-level routes

  • Technical face climbing

  • Finger strength and power-endurance training

  • Competition-style problems requiring precision

Crimps reward controlled movement and disciplined grip technique but carry a higher injury risk if overused, making proper warm-up and careful load management especially important when climbing on them.