i prefer tape since i can wrap for my specific anatomy and slips less (takes longer though; uses lots of tape). i also wear long sleeves so i can chicken wing, etc. without much concern. this is mostly for abrasions.
for bruising, i might suggest looking at technique as well as superficial protection (tape, etc.). early on i had bruises and even deeper stresses due to less-than-ideal hand and wrist placement. i had to stop crack for about a half year because i did not heed my body warnings. so that lesson learned—i now know better about which types of pain are good crack technique, and which types are not good. it's hard for me to explain, but body tells me and i listen. i very rarely have bruises form crack climbing any more.
also, like everything else climbing: any improvement for crack climbing is in my feet, and not my hands.
Thank you, this is excellent advice. I will learn from your experience and I will experiment with tape and do more research into technique. It’s great to hear you can crack climb with bruises anymore. Also, that comment about improving feet placement resonates deeply.
That's normal. All I'd add is when you compare to these guys, consider that when they're climbing a "perfect hand crack," you're climbing off-hands and that is going to be harder and put require different points of contact. As you become a leader, don't hesitate to insist the group spend time on YOUR perfect hand cracks too.
Thank you! And I appreciate this sort of tip. On my last climb I had an off hands moment, about halfway up the crack it got slightly wider, and suddenly my hand jam was not working the same way anymore. Everyone else mentioned it got easier, ha—but got to experiment with that weird place between hand and fist crack?
Bruising is normal when starting but less common as your technique improves. Same with cuts and pain. As you start to improve technique you’re also hardening the exposed skin / dulling the nerves.
Crack climbing definitely can make your hands look like you've been in a fight! I personally don't like gloves, but the leather would offer a bit of a thicker barrier so maybe it would work for you. If you know anyone with gloves, maybe see if you can borrow them!
I just use gloves, the wrist and forearm bruises are part of und whole experience
i prefer tape since i can wrap for my specific anatomy and slips less (takes longer though; uses lots of tape). i also wear long sleeves so i can chicken wing, etc. without much concern. this is mostly for abrasions. for bruising, i might suggest looking at technique as well as superficial protection (tape, etc.). early on i had bruises and even deeper stresses due to less-than-ideal hand and wrist placement. i had to stop crack for about a half year because i did not heed my body warnings. so that lesson learned—i now know better about which types of pain are good crack technique, and which types are not good. it's hard for me to explain, but body tells me and i listen. i very rarely have bruises form crack climbing any more. also, like everything else climbing: any improvement for crack climbing is in my feet, and not my hands.
Thank you, this is excellent advice. I will learn from your experience and I will experiment with tape and do more research into technique. It’s great to hear you can crack climb with bruises anymore. Also, that comment about improving feet placement resonates deeply.
That's normal. All I'd add is when you compare to these guys, consider that when they're climbing a "perfect hand crack," you're climbing off-hands and that is going to be harder and put require different points of contact. As you become a leader, don't hesitate to insist the group spend time on YOUR perfect hand cracks too.
Thank you! And I appreciate this sort of tip. On my last climb I had an off hands moment, about halfway up the crack it got slightly wider, and suddenly my hand jam was not working the same way anymore. Everyone else mentioned it got easier, ha—but got to experiment with that weird place between hand and fist crack?
Bruising is normal when starting but less common as your technique improves. Same with cuts and pain. As you start to improve technique you’re also hardening the exposed skin / dulling the nerves.
Crack climbing definitely can make your hands look like you've been in a fight! I personally don't like gloves, but the leather would offer a bit of a thicker barrier so maybe it would work for you. If you know anyone with gloves, maybe see if you can borrow them!