Hey fellow climbers! Today I want to share with you three awesome pieces of gear from Two Stones that have made my recent training and climbing life both more comfortable and more fun. They're not groundbreaking tech, but like that reliable friend at the gym who always gives you solid beta, they're thoughtful and genuinely useful.
First, let's talk about this hangboard I have a love-hate relationship with.
Every time I see it hanging quietly on the wall, I know my fingers are in for some "suffering" today. But honestly, this board is so well-designed — no flashy shapes, just clean, simple edges. The best part is that each edge is nicely rounded, so it doesn't dig painfully into the base of your fingers when you're hanging (you know that pain all too well!).
I like to hang on the bigger edges for a couple of sets before my morning coffee, like a "wake-up call" for my fingers. On weekends when I want to challenge myself, I battle it out with the thinnest edge, counting down in my head, "Just three more seconds!" Even though I'm gritting my teeth every time, when I feel how much more solid I am on real rock outdoors, I know all those grimacing moments were worth it. It's like a strict but silent personal trainer — no talking back, but the results are real.
Next up, this climbing brush that's turned me into a "gym gentleman"
I used to think brush holds was a chore, until I started using this little "broom" from Two Stones. Its bristles are stiff enough to clean well but won't scratch the holds, and a couple of sweeps get the chalk dust off perfectly. The wooden handle feels warm and smooth in your hand, and it sits comfortably in my chalk bag without poking me when I'm on the wall.
The funniest thing is, since using it, I've actually made new friends at the gym! Several times after brushing my own project, I'd casually brush the starting holds on the problem next to me, and the climber beside me would smile and say, "Nice tool, that's professional!" Now, in our little climbing crew, passing this brush around has become a ritual — whoever is about to attempt a problem gets the brush first. Turns out, people who brush their holds have pretty good luck (haha!).
Finally, my energy booster — that sturdy, cute rock climbing mug
It feels really solid, with thick walls that give you a sense of security when you hold it. In the morning, I fill it with a large Americano, enough to last me through my entire warm-up. At night, when I'm drinking tea and watching climbing videos, it keeps things warm for ages. Simple mountain lines are etched on the side, and sometimes when I'm drained from training, a glance at those little peaks gives me an unexpected boost.
The cutest thing is that during our climber hangouts, everyone loves using it as a "measuring cup" — "You sent three redpoints today? That deserves a full mug celebration!" "Big roof project tomorrow? Only half a mug of coffee for you, get some proper sleep!" It's become a little inside joke in our group, holding caffeine and also our mutual encouragement.
What really moves me...
...is how these three items, when put together, sketch out such a complete climbing lifestyle:
- Using the climbing hangboard to focus on refining yourself
- Using the climbing brush to treat the rock and your partners with care
- Using the rock climbing mug to nourish your passion day by day
They don't shout for attention, but they help me find my own breathing rhythm amidst the fast-paced world of training and sending. In a scene that often pushes for faster and stronger, sometimes it's precisely these simple, grounded little objects that help us go further.
Have you found any small items lately that make your climbing life better? It could be a great hand cream, a notebook for logging beta, or just a pair of super comfy rest-day socks — come share your favorites in the comments! After all, half the joy of climbing is on the wall, and half is in these small, warm, everyday moments.
Happy sending, strong fingers to everyone! See you at the crag or in the gym ✨