Metolius, a leading manufacturer and designer of innovative climbing gear, is expanding its focus on the commercial gym market.
Metolius was the original U.S. climbing hold manufacturer and originally focused on making polyester-resin holds for the retail market. After almost a year and a half of research and development, Metolius is introducing polyurethane climbing hold line to the commercial gym market for this fast-growing segment of the climbing industry.
Metolius has hired former employee Tedd Thompson to lead product development for the new urethane hold collection. Thompson spent 18 months talking to gym owners, route setters and climbers at gyms around the country to find out what they wanted in a climbing hold. A few things became obvious: setters want good new shapes, holds made from polyurethane to deal with the rigors of the commercial environment and the ability to match colors of existing lines.
“It was important for us to make a significant investment into research and design for this project,” said Brooke Sandahl, Vice President at Metolius. “We wanted to do it right the first time, so finding out what gym owners and setters looked for was very important when we developed the line. We want the people who spend their entire day obsessing over their routes to be happy with the holds, which will translate into customers at the walls enjoying the routes and holds themselves.”
The new line will start with 248 new shapes (grouped in seven distinct collections) designed by veteran shaper Jim Karn and local route setter, Joey Jannsen. The holds will be debuting at Climbing Wall Association show in Boulder and Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.
Founded in 1983 near the headwaters of the Metolius River in Bend, OR, Metolius equipment was born out of respect for rock climbing. Metolius has since built a solid reputation as a leading designer and manufacturer of performance rock climbing equipment that is Safer by Design. The company claim innovations in just about every category of rock climbing gear from traditional, sport, bouldering and big wall/technical alpine.
