Whether you're just now discovering the sport of rock climbing or you've been bagging sends in the backcountry for as long as you can remember, odds are you understand the wonders of climbing chalk. The simple white substance provides just enough of a physical (and mental) edge to finish a climb, and because of that it has become a necessity in the climbing community. There is an overwhelming number of options out there for ways to store your chalk, and today we're going over the best chalk buckets on the market.
Chalk Bucket vs Chalk Bag
There are two ways to store chalk: with a bag and a bucket.
Chalk bags are typically smaller and are designed to be worn with a belt around your waist or attached to your harness with a carabiner. The size and portability of a chalk bag makes it ideal for rope climbing, but it can be used for any type of climbing.
Chalk buckets on the other hand are much larger and are designed to stay put while you're off climbing.
These are popular among boulderers who would want a lot of chalk on standby to use in between attempts. They typically have a stable base that enables them to stand up on their own, and are big enough to fit both hands into at the same time in order to chalk up quickly.
Most climbers alternate between a chalk bag and a bucket depending on the type of climbing that they're doing. It's not uncommon to use both while inside the gym either!
How to Choose the Right Chalk Bucket
Not all chalk buckets are created equally! Some are ideal for quick sessions at the gym, while others are conducive to longer trips outside. When purchasing a chalk bucket it's important to look at the shape, the closure method, and the additional features in order to decide which will work best for storing your chalk.
Shape
Chalk buckets come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tall and narrow while others are short and wide, some are rounded, and others look like modified tote bags! For the large part there aren't many advantages or disadvantages from one type to the other, and it all boils down to personal preference.
The most common shape resembles an upside down trapezoid, which best enables the bag to stand unassisted. Bags that aren't trapezoidal in shape often have a reinforced base to increase stability.
Size
In regards to size, there isn't much variation between brand. If you want to easily fit both of your hands inside at the same time then pay close attention to the width of the opening, but beyond that each difference in size is minor.
Closure
There are two main types of closures for a bouldering bucket: roll-tops or drawstrings.
Roll-tops typically have a rigid brim that you fold down over itself and secure with a buckle, similar in style to dry bags. This provides a leak-proof seal and allows the bag to become fairly compact compared to the size when it's open all the way.
The alternative is a drawstring seal that cinches down on the fabric at the top of the chalk bag and is adjustable with a metal or plastic stopper. Drawstrings are faster to use than roll-tops, but they often leave a small hole where the fabric bunches together which in turn allows some chalk to fall out.
While those are the primary closure methods, many companies include additional seals to prevent chalk spills in the form of zippers, snap fasteners, or Velcro. It is not uncommon to have at least two closures for a single item - in fact, this is ideal!
Additional Features
What separates chalk bags and chalk buckets from the average Ziploc bag full of loose chalk are the additional features.
Most bags have exterior pockets for storing keys, a phone, tape, headphones, and more so you don't have to bring a backpack with you for a short bouldering session. Extra storage also comes in the form of an elastic loop used to hold a climbing brush to clean holds in between attempts.
The last feature commonly found on a bouldering chalk bucket is a handle or strap to carry it around. Some have multiple in order to sling it over your wrist, while others don't have any in order to increase packability.
What Type of Climber Are You?
When choosing the right brand for you, try asking yourself some simple questions about the type of climber you are.
Are you constantly moving around the gym while climbing? Look for a bucket with large handles to tote it around.
Do you plan on traveling long distances in order to boulder outside? Consider a roll-top to save space in your suitcase or backpack.
Are you the person at the crag with spare tape + nail clippers? The best option for you most likely has external pockets for extra storage.
A chalk bag and bucket are also an easy way to add some personality to your climbing gear, with a multitude of fun colors, patterns, and artwork to choose from. Bright colors are easier to find on late night bouldering sessions, while some people prefer subdued designs that keep your attention on the matter at hand: climbing!
The 7 Top Chalk Buckets & Bags
With that in mind, here are some popular options to bring your chalk with you to the crag in style.
1. Black Diamond Mondo Chalk Pot
When people think about "climbing" Black Diamond is typically one of the first brands that comes to mind - and for good reason too! Their equipment is some of the most widely used in the sport, and they have gear for first day gym climbers as well as experienced alpinists.
The Mondo is Black Diamond's take on a bouldering chalk bucket, and it gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles. This simple and sweet bucket has a zippered pocket in the front to store your things during outdoor adventures, as well as an elastic brush holder on the side.
What makes the Mondo stand out is its dual closure system: the chalk pot has a roll-top that you can buckle down as well as a magnetic latching system for easy security.
The magnetic lining at the top ensures your bouldering chalk will stay inside where it belongs, even if your bucket gets knocked down while you're bouldering in a crowded gym. The magnets are strong enough to close on their own but can easily be broken with one hand for when you need to chalk up.
Rolling the top down and cinching it with the buckles makes traveling a breeze - last thing you'll have to worry about is loose chalk covering everything in your backpack during your approach.
The Mondo Chalk Pot is also a testament to Black Diamond's commitment to sustainability. Each of the four classic color options are made using fabric scraps from the Mondo crash pad in an effort to reduce production waste. This is without a doubt a great choice for your bouldering chalk.
2. Mammut Magic Boulder Chalk Bag
The Mammut Magic Boulder chalk bag is hands down one of the most unique chalk buckets on the market.
The integrated drawstring system enables the bag to fold down completely flat for storage or stand open while in use. It has another internal closure that is designed to add an extra layer between your precious chalk and the ground. If you're an adventure seeker who often travels from crag to crag, the Magic Boulder bag is perfect for you!
While the Magic Boulder bag is perfect for people who are always on the go, there isn't much additional storage available. It has one elastic band to hold a brush (its brush holder) but no extra pockets, so keep that in mind if you like to carry a lot of items with you while you climb.
The design of the bag is fairly small compared to others on this list, which is beneficial for transporting your gear and chalk for gym to crag. Mammut made sure that you can still fit all of your chalk in the Magic Boulder bag and that the opening is wide enough for two hands, so don't be fooled by its modest appearance.
If you're a no-frills kind of climber then you'll love the simple colors and minimalistic design of the Magic Boulder bag for transporting your chalk.
3. 8BPlus Chalk Bucket
If you want a bouldering bucket with just as much personality as you, then check out the brand 8BPlus. Their animated bags and chalk buckets are complete with wild expressions, funky colors, and lots of fur.
8BPlus chalk bags and buckets all have unique names and minds of their own, with soft fur, adorable button eyes, and sometimes tiny arms to give you a post climb high-five. Everyone is welcome, from scraggly bearded pirates to neon little monsters, and even Star Wars inspired heroes.
Each 8BPlus bucket has three external mesh and zippered pockets and multiple brush holders for additional storage, as well as a cinch closure at the top and a soft fleece lining. The large handles make it easy to carry around the gym, but the bag itself is a bit bulky and hard to compress which makes it not ideal for international travel.
That being said, sometimes what we really need at the end of a tough climb is a friendly face smiling back at us, and in that regard 8BPlus always delivers.
4. Survivor Chalk Bucket
Survivor is slowly making a name for themselves in the climbing community, and for good reason!
The Survivor chalk bucket is an absolute unit when it comes to storage, with two large zipper pockets, two side mesh pockets, and four loops for climbing brushes.
Its double closure method uses magnets along the brim that are easy to open with one hand that are paired with a roll-top to keep chalk from escaping. In addition to that, Survivor included internal buckets that allow your bag to remain open while you figure out the moves on a problem. When you're done projecting simply undo the buckles and allow the magnets to do their job!
Unfortunately there is only one design available, but that is likely to change as the brand gains popularity. To make up for that, Survivor offers a lifetime warranty on their products - no matter the cause!
5. Psychi Abyss Chalk Bouldering Bucket
Psychi is a climbing company based in the United Kingdom that doesn't have much brand recognition in the United States yet, but that is sure to change once people get wind of their quality gear.
Their Abyss bouldering bucket has a wide padded base that prevents chalk spillage and provides stability on soft bouldering pads. You can quickly open or close the bucket with the metal snap fasteners for easy chalk access, and when you're done for the day you can secure your white gold by pulling on the drawstring toggle. The comfortable fleece lining on the inside also helps your chalk stay in the bag instead of spilling out.
The best feature of the Abyss is the dual-access front pocket that allows you to store items from the top and the side, as well as the mesh side pocket that is perfect for larger items.
Psychi's Abyss is ideal for new climbers because it is available in a bundle with a bag of loose chalk, two brushes, and a roll of climbing tape. This affordable pack has everything you need to start sending boulder problems with confidence, and even makes a great gift for the climbing newbies in your life.
6. Dirt Chalk Bags Artist Bucket
If you want to have the most stylish and one-of-a-kind chalk bucket at the climbing gym or outside in the bouldering field, then you need a Dirt Chalk Bags artist bucket. These quality bags feature designs from local artists and are made by hand in Idaho. Each one has a Velcro opening paired with a buckled roll-top for the least amount of spillage and maximum packability.
The small business' commitment to sustainability influences every aspect of your purchase, from the product construction to packaging to printing the shipping label. You can rest assured that your bucket is made to last with durable metal finishes, water-repelling eco-canvas, a thick white fleece lining, and a vegan cork leather tag, with the added bonus of no wasteful plastics being used in the production.
With a soft white no-pill fleece interior, a large zipper pocket for stashing your phone or tape, and an elastic band to hold your bouldering brush, these buckets have it all!
Each art print is only available for a limited time, so you are guaranteed to have an accessory like no other. If you really want to show off your individuality you can request a custom design using your own photo or artwork.
7. DMM Edge Boulder Chalk Bag
The brand DMM is focused on innovation and quality, and as a result they are well regarded in the climbing community. They don't just want people to buy their gear, but to understand how to use. Their website features a section devoted to educating people on climbing gear maintenance and general instruction.
DMM's Edge bag is the perfect combination of functionality and storage. With two large pockets and two elastic straps for brushes, the DMM edge chalk bucket can easily carry all of the essentials and then some!
The bag has large ergonomic handles for carrying around the gym, and is made of a durable exterior material with a soft pile lining. It comes in three eye-catching colors with DMM's classic logo on it and the reminder to "climb now, work later."
The Best Bouldering Chalk Bucket
While all of the chalk buckets mentioned above are more than capable of powdering up your palms before your climb, one stands out from the crowd as the best option.
Survivor's chalk holder is the best chalk bucket for a few different reasons.
The amount of storage sets the bar pretty high, and the ability to choose whether you want the bucket to remain open or magnetically snap closed is unparalleled.
As simple as it sounds, not having to manually fiddle with the opening goes a long way towards preventing chalk from getting all over your belongings (or all over the gym!) No other options on the market allow you to keep the mouth of the bag wide open, but it wouldn't come as a surprise if other brands embrace this feature in the future. We'll see in due time.
What really sets Survivor over the edge is the lifetime warranty on their products, which allows you to charge towards any adventure without worrying about the welfare of your gear.
The Runner Up
The DMM Edge boulder bag is a close second, and only falls short because of the recent updates to the design. Older versions of the DMM Edge chalk bucket had a dual closure system that was impervious to loose chalk, but the newer models no longer have this feature.
That being said the Edge is still a solid option for lugging your chalk around, and the large pockets are swoon worthy.
Now that you know which is the best chalk bucket, it's time to grab one and get climbing!
