- Slab vs overhang climbing. Mar 10, 2025 · The best climbing shoes just keep getting better. Nov 13, 2009 · You can get overlaps on slabs (think onion skin granite), on walls (think little 18" grit roofs) and on overhangs (again, little roofs/steps on overhanging walls or in a cave). good for smearing on slabby routes, heel hooking on overhangs/roofs etc. Climbers who prefer slab climbing, also known as friction climbing, use their feet rather than hand and footholds rather than vertical climbers or overhangers who use footholds and handholds. Routes less than 90 degrees would usually be described as a slab. Climbing fully horizontal means you are likely on a roof. The shoe's downturned shape enhances power transfer, making it suitable for steep overhangs. Lastly, both walls will offer a good compromise for space vs climbing area, although a 25 board will have a smaller footprint and a 40-degree wall will require more room, but will also utilise a larger panel for climbing on. Shoe Type: Aggressive Upper: Synthetic suede Rubber: TRAX XT-5 rubber Good for: Precision, comfort, vegans, lightweight, overhangs Bad for: Small foot holds, slab climbing The evolv Shaman’s performance is high-level, giving you great sensitivity and precision while being able to house a wider foot. Climbing a slab requires a good sense of your feet and how to use them as well as balance and rock shoes with lots of friction. As a coach, I recommend dedicating at least one or two sessions per week specifically to overhanging problems. There are two types of surface distress that fit your description. Jul 10, 2023 · 3. Tall climbers have to carry extra weight from their lengthy limbs and this can make it harder for them to perform in steep climbing. I generally agree with SpoonerNZ, core strength is a huge part of it. Mar 10, 2020 · The movement pattern for overhangs is entirely different to the movement pattern for vertical walls. Slab climbing, also known as friction climbing, prioritizes foot work over hand and footholds, as opposed to vertical climbs or overhang climbs which often have foot and hand holds. In this post, we detail the best intermediate and advanced techniques for climbing overhangs. Dec 13, 2022 · To avoid scraping yourself on the wall, be sure to hop backward when you feel like you are going to fall. 15d route in Alberta might prove you wrong. This guide presents state-of-the-art information relative to the construction of slab-on-ground and suspended-slab floors for industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings. It is applicable to the construction of normalweight and struc-tural lightweight concrete floors and slabs made with conven-tional portland and blended cements. Concrete Breakout Failure Cone Is breakout failure relevant for large-scale connections involving groups of anchors or reinforcing bars? The resulting shear capacity will be less than calculated in ACI 318-14, especially if the design section has a low ρ as is likely in double-tee flanges, other precast slab elements, or cast-in-place slabs. Mar 11, 2025 · New to climbing? Learn essential bouldering common terms like crux, dyno, and flash, to improve your skills and communicate like a pro. Roof – Terrain that is extremely overhung or close to parallel to flat ground. Nov 8, 2023 · Climbing overhang can be exhausting. If you’re mostly climbing vertical/slab and the occasional overhang and want a soft shoe, solutions don’t really fit the bill as well as other shoes do. Overhang routes often require movement that focuses on pulling (and pushing) to stay on the wall. g. Aug 30, 2025 · Discover what is a slab in rock climbing and learn how this unique technique challenges your balance and precision on less-than-vertical rock faces. When you’re tackling a bouldering problem on a slab, it’s a whole different game compared to steep overhangs or vertical walls. Nov 16, 2020 · Slab climbing is a fun and important skill set, but only encompasses a small fraction of the movements that rock climbing requires. Gain insights for safer bouldering practices. Not only does it feel comfortable for a wider foot but it feels tight at the tip of your toe When it comes to overhangs, there’s often one word that comes to mind… ‘hard’. Sep 6, 2022 · Short climbers are better at steep climbing (overhangs) Due to the more ideal strength-to-weight ratio that comes with being short, short climbers have an advantage at climbing overhung terrain. To help you understand what this means we have provided a number of links and videos that will get you ready for your GCSE PE Climbing Assessment Overhang climbing Climbing steep overhangs Overhanging problems The walls The walls are all different heights and angles. Nov 2, 2020 · The first in a 3-part article series, written with the aim of helping improve your rock climbing technique. Its design caters to climbers who demand precision and support. I took a big-ish fall were my foot slipped unexpectedly and i scraped against the wall a lil bit. com/free-ebo Overhang – Overhang terrain is at an angle greater than 90 degrees. Vertical to overhang requires more dynamic movements where you essentially try to get the moves done before your arms get pumped out. #ClimbingTechnique #OverhangVsSlab #BalanceClimbing. Apr 16, 2025 · We tested 27 climbing shoes for men from La Sportiva, Scarpa, Black Diamond, evolv, Five Ten, and more to find the best shoes for you, no matter how you Slabs This form of rock climbing typically uses a slab of rock that is at a less than a 90-degree angle to the ground. May 9, 2020 · However, a lot of this advice doesn’t apply when climbing on steeper terrain and you might feel like a beginner all over again when you get on that roof problem or try that new route on the overhanging wall. Loved it even more after I resoled it with XS Edge about 6 months in, which helped me tremendously on vert/slab routes with micro edge footholds but I seem to have deteriorated in overhang performance. Sep 23, 2025 · Explore slab, vertical, and overhang climbing styles to boost your technique, strength, and versatility as a climber. Nov 11, 2023 · Soft climbing shoes have one objective; adapt to different angles. These walls feature varying terrain, including steep overhangs, slabs, and vertical sections, as well as a range of wall heights Nov 10, 2023 · Your climbing technique will undoubtedly benefit if you learn how to properly use the inside edge, toe, and ball of your foot before attempting to tackle a V2 slab in a pair of highly aggressive shoes. Personally there’s an inverse correlation between the danger of the fall (slab vs overhang, decking height vs safe height) and the fall’s pucker factor. Popouts or popoffs? Q. What would you call a slab that is less steep than vertical. Nov 1, 2022 · 14 Your descriptions of the first three angles are pretty spot on. You need to improve your core strength and body tension. Slab The wall or rock face slopes at a less than 90 degree angle. Though is that actually true? What if you want to brave the steeps and hit the overhangs with everything you’ve got? Let’s delve into what makes climbing overhangs different, and then give you the tools you need to show them who’s boss. A study has shown that climbing is as good at affecting the heart rate and energy expenditure (cardio exercise) of an individual similar to that of running at 8-11 minutes per mile. Overhung walls tend to be a little more challenging because they require more strength to stay on the wall. Jun 23, 2024 · Overhangs and steep routes are both types of climbing routes that require a different set of techniques and skills compared to vertical or slab routes. To successfully navigate slabs, climbers must focus on weight distribution, balance, core strength, and smearing techniques. Is it justified and which rock angle is really harder to master? All About Indoor Climbing Walls In the climbing world, there are vertical walls, overhang walls, and slab walls. The definitions provided herein complement that source. What is considered as acceptable concrete cracking in cast-in-place foundation walls and slabs per ACI documents? My company is the concrete contractor on a large warehouse project, and I want to discuss the potential for cracking with the contractor and the owner. The way we learn to climb on slabs and vertical walls is with our hips parallel, as if climbing a ladder, but this causes all sorts of problems on the steep stuff. Overhangs, Roofs, and Caves The opposite of a slab is an overhang. One, called a popout, is a Slab climbing requires far more precise foot work and relatively static and slow movements. Feb 25, 2025 · Indoor climbing walls provide a variety of challenges, from technical slab routes to steep overhangs that test strength and endurance. Drop your vote below! ⬇️ #SlabMaster or #OverhangBeast ? . And if you see a beginner climbing overhangs really well then typically they’ve come from a more athletic background and are quite strong especially in their core. What grades are you climbing? Overhangs tend to require more power and core, while slab, if you can even call vertical stuff at a gym slab is more about proper use of holds and balance. Mar 8, 2022 · Climbing on overhangs is great for your core; every day spent on steep walls is a day spent improving tension. Less injurious = more scary. Even if you have been climbing for a couple of months, you are better of with a medium-stiff intermediate shoe than a super soft performance shoe. An overhang is any section of a wall that is more than vertical. This article focusses on the art of rock climbing slabs. Overhang rock climbing presents a unique set of challenges that are not solely dependent on sheer strength, but also on mastering body positioning and using the power of your core muscles. Regardless, impressive design technique for only just starting Reply reply Level-Falcon8531 • Try Mar 17, 2023 · If your climbing style will benefit from softer climbing shoes (e. Nov 4, 2023 · Slabs are often called technical, but climbers rarely say it about overhangs. Design methods are given for unreinforced concrete, reinforced concrete, shrinkage-compensating concrete Acceptable concrete cracking Q. I sprained my pulley lately, and therefore have been working on slabs and flexibility more, so the gap has closed a little. backshores—shores left in place or shores placed snugly under a concrete slab or structural member after the original formwork and shores have been removed from a small area, without allowing the entire slab or member to deflect or support its self-weight and construction loads. Dec 4, 2024 · Introduction to Overhang Climbing: Definition and Challenges Faced Overhang climbing is an exhilarating and demanding facet of the climbing world that presents unique challenges unlike those encountered on vertical or slab surfaces. Overhang vs. From google: Slabs are rock faces that are angled at less than 90 degrees or less than vertical. Jun 15, 2023 · The shoe doesn’t make the climber…but shoe choice still matters. I wish my brain worked this way. When you climb a slab, the general rule is that you keep your weight on your feet. It is like a steep ramp and is opposite of an overhang. Climbing Terminology Slab: A slab is a section of rock or wall that is on an angle usually less than 90 degrees. This summer, I noticed that small concrete fragments have broken off the driveway surface exposing large pieces of aggregate. It’s just such a different style. In rock climbing a slab climb (or friction climb) is a type of climbing route where the rock face is 'off-angle' and not fully vertical. In rock climbing, an overhang is a type of route that leans back at an angle of over 90 degrees for part or all of the climb, and at its most severe can be a horizontal roof. Here are 5 drills for instant progress. This is the main reason why you might find slab climbing and straight walls to be a lot easy that overhangs and roof climbing. #bouldering #climbingmeme #climbingmemes #climbing_is_my_passion #climbinglife #climbinginspiration #climbingtraining #climbingrocks #climbinglovers #climbingwall #climbingdad #rungneaffiliates #bouldering #bouldeeinglife #boulderingmemes #bouldering_videos_of_instagram #boulderingtraining". Additional Definitions Back shores – shores placed under a slab or structural member after the original formwork and shores have been removed from a small area without allowing the entire slab or member to deflect of support its own mass or existing construction loads. Jun 3, 2025 · Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Slabs may not look as intimidating as other types of climbing terrain, but don’t be fooled – they’ll Mar 9, 2023 · Slab – Slab is the opposite of overhang, where the wall angles at a lean over 9 degrees. Nov 3, 2020 · The second in a 3-part article series, written with the aim of helping improve your rock climbing technique. You will appreciate the Vibram XS Edge rubber, providing excellent grip and stability on both edges and smears. Typically, slab is considered ‘easier’ to climb than overhangs, but Adam Ondra ’s Disbelief 5. Whether you're dangling off wicked overhangs or smearing up friction slabs, soft shoes have got your back. Download Your Free e-book: "How to Maximize Your First Year of Climbing" - the guide I wish I had when I started:https://www. Ive been climbing for a bit over a year now and i love slabs to the point where im a good 3 grades above on slab vs overhangs. Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best Top New Controversial Old Q&A soupyhands • I'm still only a V0-V2 climber but I'm good slabs, I just can barely do overhangs, I find them so much more tiring and much more intense, is this just a style thing? This could progress from a slab to overhanging terrain. #boulderinggym #bouldering #climbing #rockclimbing”. It addresses the planning, design, and detailing of slabs. These are great for beginners who want to work on keeping their balance and moving their 891 likes, 19 comments - kimborey. Slab and vertical climbs tend to require more technique and footwork than overhang climbing, which Since I know most of climbing is technique (and have seen that for myself with my improvements on slab and vertical), I’m hoping there’s a similar “beginner” resource to make overhang feel a bit less strenuous by using better technique. Mar 10, 2020 · Areas like the Red River Gorge became some of the most popular climbing destinations in the world, home to steep, sandstone, single-pitch sport climbing—you’ll find more overhangs in the Red than slab routes. lam on December 5, 2024: "Me climbing on Overhang vs slab. The route is at an angle that is less steep than vertical. Jun 12, 2023 · I’ll also list types of climbing holds as well. Here's everything you need to know about slab climbing shoes. A suspended slab (or structural slab) spans between supports and must be reinforced to resist bending moments calculated from statics based on the magnitude of load and This guide presents information on the design of slabs-on-ground, primarily industrial floors. Would this be a 110* wall? What about a steep hill or even a gentle slope? How do hikers refer to gradient of slope? Is it the opposite to climbers? Wouldn't it make sense for flat ground to be 0*, a steep Oct 15, 2024 · The Scarpa Instinct VS is renowned for its versatility across various climbing terrains. Overhang (and roof) climbs have existed throughout climbing, originally in aid climbing where mechanical devices were used to first scale them. So does eg slab climbing ability hold up for longer than overhang ability? I'm wondering whether to somehow factor this in when prioritising which problems to try. ETA: Velcro and lace up Miuras, and Skwamas, are both a great sort of in-between shoe if you’re looking for suggestions - I find them both to be aggressive enough for overhangs but not do aggressive/inflexible that I can’t climb face or slab angles, and I’ve found both to be pretty comfy right out of the box. Gravity affects the feel of climbing even though the mechanics may still be the same. #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #ボルダリング #クライミング #climbingmemes #bouldering #indoorclimbing #boulderinggym #comedy #운동하는여자 #스포츠 #운동소통". Watch below. 953 likes, 12 comments - rungne_official on August 24, 2025: "How @jonathan_sin88 feels climbing overhangs vs slabs! Who can relate? ". In addition to just climbing, I like to do core-specific exercises like V-ups, leg lifts, hollow body rocks, and plank variations. Jun 23, 2024 · Slab climbing is a challenging aspect of indoor climbing that requires a different set of techniques compared to overhangs. Much like the slab wall, once you reach an intermediate level, you will likely wish that you had some kind of overhang to challenge you as a climber. One of my favorite climbing wisdom (I forgot from whom…) is that instead of thinking of progression as moving from These are Dave's three best overhang climbing technique tips for beginners. Nov 17, 2023 · The shoe that's best for you depends on your body type, climbing style, the type of rock you climb on, and how much you want to spend. In climbing, a 45* wall is an overhanging wall. A. improving their strengths. Can you tell me what might have caused this issue? Should I worry about further deterioration? A. Because it’s so different from vertical or overhang terrain, it requires a different technique altogether that focuses on balance and friction. It feels like I'm starting to plateau in my sport grade with a significant gap between vert and overhanging terrain. Slab – Which one challenges you more? 樂 輪♂️ . Mar 9, 2017 · This beached-whale approach, used more to pull on top of boulders or from under an overhang onto a low-angle slab, relies on purchase between your body and the rock. My concrete driveway was placed last year in the fall. They will morph to the challenge, can you? Sep 29, 2023 · Slab vs Overhang: What’s The Difference? Overhangs are the complete opposite of slabs, just like dihedrals are the complete opposites to aretes. There's no brute forcing this type of climbing, just awesome footwork and god-level balance. Slab – Slab terrain is at an angle less than 90 degrees. indoor bouldering), you should gradually make your way there and don’t force it. Head coach at TCH London, Cris, gives his super quick tips on how to best climb different wall angles. It's very important that your shoes Dougal Tavener, who has travelled the world doing this most exciting style of climbing, shares his knowledge and tips for climbing overhangs In the climbing world, there are vertical walls, overhang walls, and slab walls. Climbing shoes are usually described as being good for a particular technique, e. While a 60* wall is less steep. My smaller-than-average foot barely spans the gap, which adds even more challenge to the move For example, on slabs you will use your legs more than on an overhang. Dec 5, 2022 · The age-old debate! Most climbers will have a preference for climbing wall angle but it's important to climb both to become a good all-round climber 🧗 Head Climbing Slab v Overhang The age-old debate! Most climbers will have a preference for climbing wall angle but it's important to climb both to become a good all-round climber. That being said, I've recently started addressing my weakness and developed an 8-week training plan based on Alex Barrows's PDF and some of Dave McLeod's advices. Unlike vertical or slab climbing, where friction and balance are primary concerns, overhangs present an entirely different set of challenges. Successful slab climbing is often dependent on trusting friction, precise footwork, good body position, putting bodyweight over your feet, and balance. Mar 7, 2025 · New to climbing? Learn key climbing terms, slang, and commands to boost your confidence, safety, and skills on the wall and in the gym! Jan 11, 2022 · Discover the best climbing shoes in 2025 with our analysis to pick the most suitable model. They will not only help you become a better climbing on overhangs, but will also be useful for helping you solve many In rock climbing a slab climb (or friction climb) is a type of climbing route where the rock face is 'off-angle' and not fully vertical. Choose the right climbing wall angle, from 10-degree slabs for beginners to 45-degree overhangs for pros, to enhance training effectiveness and enjoyment. Read on for our 2025 picks from La Sportiva, Scarpa, and more! Jun 17, 2021 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Haha yes, the grade difference between my preferred style (anything overhang, powerful, dyno, compression) and anything slabby/balancey is embarrassing. Understanding wall types, grading systems, and key climbing techniques will help new climbers progress faster and enjoy the sport more. Dihedral – Dihedral refers to inward corners and is known for being awkward to navigate. Nov 12, 2024 · Credits : Functional Fitness Learning to climb rocks without ropes, also called “bouldering”, is a really fun activity that kids and adults can do! Indoor climbing gyms have different kinds of walls that help people learn bouldering at their own pace. Defined as the technique employed to ascend a rock face that protrudes horizontally, creating an angle that often begins around 10 degrees to more than 90 degrees Sep 26, 2025 · overhang ได้เรี่ยวแรงกำลังดี รูท slab ก็ไม่หวาดเสียว 🏻#bouldering#climbinggym#khonkaen#climbing Wirada Deerajviset Kanlaya and 3 others 4 1 Last viewed on: Oct 9, 2025 Mar 28, 2024 · Slab Vs overhangs Discuss below 樂樂樂 (Our class routesetting team have also crafted an amazing new slab reset ) #frictionbouldering #beboulder #teamfriction #weclimbuk #boulderinglife What are common climbing techniques for strongly overhanging walls and roofs? In order to avoid a strength oriented climbing style and focus on technique. movementforclimbers. This implies that a vertical slab is a 90* wall. In a commercial gym it makes sense as a way to cater to brand-new climbers, tricky slab-climbing, and specific holds, but a home gym is for training and personal enjoyment and a big vertical wall will become uninteresting way too fast. A slab-on-ground is supported on the subsoil and is usually reinforced with reinforcing bars or welded wire mesh. Dyno: A dyno is a dynamic move where a climber jumps or lunges for a hold that is out of reach. But if your heart is set on them, by all means go for it! 77 Likes, TikTok video from xcelclimbing (@xcelclimbing): “Explore why slab climbing poses more injury risks than overhang climbing. A synthetic upper ensures durability Nov 12, 2022 · How good at slab do I really need to be? Why should I spend so much time on steep boulders if all I want to climb is techy routes? A question that most climbers arrive at eventually (usually the threat of slab climbing initiates it) is how much time should they spend becoming more well rounded vs. Overhangs are passed by climbing on them. If you hit bomber holds above the roof, the quickest way may be to cut your feet loose and let gravity reposition your body. Overhangs are routes where the rock face leans away from the climber at an angle greater than 90 degrees, while steep routes are routes that have a significant incline but not as extreme as Are aggressive shoes necessary for modern bouldering setting and comp climbing? I referenced a list of the best climbing shoes and thanks to the comments below figured that aggressive shoes will help keep my body close to the wall on overhangs. #1 Oct 15, 2021 · Slab climbing is a form of rock climbing in which the rock face is a slab that is at less than a 90-degree angle from the ground. Match your climbing shoes to the terrain you’re on so that you can make the most of your efforts. The gentle, sloping walls are named “slabs”. Nov 11, 2023 · Slab climbing; loved by some, hated by many. 112 likes, 0 comments - frictionbouldering on March 28, 2024: "Slab Vs overhangs Discuss below 🤔🤔🤔 (Our class routesetting team have also crafted an amazing new slab reset 🫢) #frictionbouldering #beboulder #teamfriction #weclimbuk #boulderinglife #slabclimbing #climbinggymshare #boulderinggymshare #climber #climbinglife #climbing_videos_of_instagram #bouldering_videos_of Jan 8, 2025 · Edging: the ability of a climber to stand on the edge of a climbing hold – typically applies to very small or sheer holds or features on a wall. Overhang/Overhung: any wall that is at an angle less than 90 degrees from the ground – if you’re leaning back, that’s overhung. The crux of my current project at Rifle Mountain Park hangs on an intricate heel-toe cam wedged between two horizontal slabs of rock. . Aug 27, 2024 · Climbing, regardless of the style (slab, overhang, vertical, bouldering, sports climbing) is, more or less, in different doses about balance, footwork, mind game, and ultimately muscles. Jan 19, 2023 · Lead Climbing Walls An indoor lead climbing wall is a specialized structure within climbing gyms tailored for lead climbing, a style of rock climbing where the climber ascends with a rope, periodically clipping it into quickdraws, protection points, as they ascend. trueHello everyone! I've (24m) been climbing for 5 years, almost exclusively sport climbing for 2. While the softer angle enables climbers to place more of their body weight on their feet, slab climbs maintain the challenge by having smaller holds. You can go your whole life never climbing slab and not miss out on anything if you prefer overhang, for instance. Some of the earliest forms of rock climbing were on large easy-angled slabs encountered by climbers while As per title, I'm awful at climbing anything on an overhang (V4-6 on slab/vert, V3-4 on overhang). I get by primarily with passable technique and footwork and okay finger strength, none of which I seem to be able to transfer to climbing on anything worse than a shallow overhang. Vertical climbing is perpendicular within a few degrees and an overhang is much steeper. A concrete slab is a structural feature, usually of constant thickness, that can be used as a floor or a roof. Overhang: An overhang is a section of rock or wall that leans outwards from the vertical. Overlaps are generally passed by climbing over/past them An overhang overhangs for starters and is of significant size. Jul 18, 2024 · In the realm of rock climbing, overhangs are the ultimate test of skill, strength and determination. Background information on design theories is followed by discussion of the types of slabs, soil-support systems, loadings, and jointing. The regimented . To effectively incorporate overhang bouldering into your regular climbing routine, it’s important to focus on building overhang endurance and grip strength. This article focusses on the art of climbing overhangs. Sep 22, 2023 · Slab climbing can be intimidating: it requires subtle technique, and the falls can be scary. Slab is generally harder to grade too since it’s heavy on balance and slab-only technique. Anything that slopes gently away from you (imagine climbing a hill on your hands and knees, then multiply that by 100) is a slab, if it comes back steeply at you, it is an overhang. Oct 13, 2014 · There's no hard and fast guidelines for climbing overhangs that don't already generally apply for vertical or even slabs. Concrete cracks are possible on any project, so it’s wise to set reasonable expectations for The use of higher-grade reinforcement raised concerns about serviceability (cracking and deflections), which were addressed through a series of changes for slab and beam minimum reinforcement, efective moment of inertia, and requirements for deflection calculations for two-way slabs. As an experienced boulderer or slab technician, I can tell you that the key to success lies in your technique and body positioning more than sheer strength.