So I guess I'm sponsored... (See banner to the right...)

Earlier this year I was approached by Markhor Climbing to write gear-centric blog posts for them. They said they'd provide the gear. I said I'd provide the "OMG YES!" After a few months of finagling, dawdling, moving, and talking, I'm finally writing! I've been dubbed a "Sponsored Average Climber," and I intend to live up to that title the best I know how: by using their gear in an extraordinarily ordinary way. You can read more about the sponsorship here, or you can take a look at the small-time Markhor Climbing gear website and see what they are all about.

My first week in Colorado I had the glorious experience of driving a mere 10 minutes out of town to boulder in Flagstaff. A local friend, Josh (@jrmontag), provided the transportation and the crash pad. We spent a quiet morning working over a phenomenal V0. I have to say, I've never felt more badass. There were jugs, crimpers, slopers, and other climbers who ran laps on it when we could barely get halfway through. I'm among an entirely new level of climber out here... the opportunities to learn are endless.

This is also where I got to try out my first test item. I was super stoked to be back on rocks, after a spring spent nursing a shoulder injury, on brand new rubber. These are the ClimbX "Technician Strap" If I had to describe them in a word, it'd be "flashy." Flashy, and sturdy. These shoes have a molded hooking heel, rubber upper, double cross last, and hemp (anti stink) lining. No matter how much you use them, these shoes are going to hold their slightly aggressive shape. I bought a half size smaller than I normally would, and am sort of regretting it. I had to wrestle with them a bit to get them on, but once I did they grabbed the tiniest edges I could find on that lovely V0. ClimbX says they make their X Factor rubber formula themselves. I'm curious to see how it holds up over time, since it seems to be a bit more stiff compared to, say, Evolv rubber.

Size wise, my feet are 24 cm long heel-to-big toe, and rather asymmetrical. I got a men's size 6, which was about a haf a size too small. (oops.)

Things I love:
Construction is awesome
Rubber is going to be there forever
Pull tabs aren't flimsy
Great for edging and hooking

Things I don't love:
Not too comfortable
Not too sensitive


Overall they are a good deal for the price ($90). They are similar to the LaSportiva Solution which are $155.

Getting up with the dawn to test them on the boulders of Flagstaff was maybe the best way to start a weekend that I can think of. There is nothing like climbing in a picturesque location to override all the discomfort that comes with waking up earlier than all the other climbers. With all the reasons to climb, my average self likes the view the best.

 


Oh, and the people. :)