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Friction Labs Chalk

© Friction Labs Chalk
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Posted by FrictionLabs on Thursday, June 4, 2015

Friction Labs Chalk Friction Labs is the best chalk you’ll ever use, once you’ve tried it there’s no going back to your old brand. Now for the first time the innovative blends of white powder are now available in the UK.

Developed by a group of long-time climbers who were in search of increasing their performance. After years of obsessing over the rubber and fit of their shoes but totally ignoring the quality of the powder on their hands they saw an opportunity to develop something new.

For people who say “chalks just chalk” Friction Labs will change your mind. Recently a team of world-class geologists and chemists conducted independent tests on the five most common chalks for rock climbing. The results were clear: Friction Labs chalk is the purest chalk out there.

Unicorn Dust, Bam Bam and Gorilla Grip are the 3 blends of Friction Labs, they are all chemically developed in the same way so picking one just depends on your own personal preference of the texture.


The Science:

All climbing chalk is made up of a mixture of Magnesium carbonate and Calcium carbonate. When exposed to moisture the Magnesium traps water molecules on the inside of its crystalline structure, leaving the surface dry – ultimately keeping sweaty hands drier for longer.

Many brands out there use Magnesium but Friction Labs have developed a new process to enable an extremely high ratio of Magnesium to Calcium, therefore producing a new level of performance chalk. The proof is in your hands, compare it to your usual chalk and see the difference.

See what the pro’s say:

“The best chalk the industry has to offer” – Alex Puccio
“I am in fact very picky about my chalk, and can rarely say I actually think a brand of chalk stands out above the others, but your chalk, well it is in a league of its own! I am very impressed” – Dave Graham
“It is incredible!!!” – Paul Robinson


For more information and to find your nearest stockist please visit mountianboot.co.uk


For more information Mountain Boot Company



11 Aug, 2015
I like it so much that I want everyone attempting a project I am trying to use Friction Labs Chalk. I have written a review here on http://www.climbonline.co.uk/friction_labs_chalk.htm
13 Aug, 2015
Nerd alert on. I liked the advertising and the humour associated with this release, and was actually pretty much convinced that I was going to get a bagful for my next chalk refill, and, before I go any further, most likely still will. I was particularly interested in the science behind the magnesium carbonate: "When exposed to moisture the Magnesium traps water molecules on the inside of its crystalline structure, leaving the surface dry". So, it would appear that more magnesium (Mg) carbonate and less calcium (Ca) carbonate is a good thing: "Many brands out there use Magnesium but Friction Labs have developed a new process to enable an extremely high ratio of Magnesium to Calcium, therefore producing a new level of performance chalk". I remember reading a quote that the Ca carbonate traps moisture on the surface, and that is what makes the dreaded sludge, but I can't find the quote now. Indeed, the competition that is currently running has a pretty cool ratio graphic, showing that Friction labs have vastly increased the Mg:Ca ratio compared to some competition; up to nearly 0.8. However, I interpret this to mean that there is actually still more Ca carbonate in the composition than Mg carbonate, less than 8 parts Mg to 10 parts Ca. I was looking at my DMM chalk packaging yesterday whilst refilling before a route, and noticed that they actually provide the chemical composition of the chalk, which I thought was pretty cool. Mg carbonate was there, as well as some (as far as I could make out) hydrated Mg hydroxides (you can just about make it out here www.dmmclimbing.com/products/crushed-chalk-bag). But, critically, NO Ca in the chemical formula. Indeed, in the same link, DMM suggest 100% pure magnesium carbonate. Which, according to Friction Labs' suggestion, is very desirable. Now, this is all very nerdy, but I work with rocks and minerals, so find it kind of relevant. It's also not meant to be a complaint against Friction Labs, nor fanboyism for DMM; I'm just interested by what makes good chalk. (Crikey, never thought I'd say that...) Any other brands publish the chemical formula of their chalk? Do folks' favourite brands correlate with increased proportions of Mg? Also, where does climbing chalk come from? Is it mined in this form? My suspicion is no... Limestone/dolomite extraction, refinement and then repressing? Or entirely synthetic production? Nerd alert off. I want some Bam Bam, how about you?!
13 Aug, 2015
Re production: I believe it is mined/extracted as an aqueous slurry before being dried and then either cut into blocks or crushed to give coarse chalk or powder. I interpreted the Friction Labs gumph as it being 8:2 Magnesium carbonate to Calcium Carbonate. As an ex-chemist it tickles me that they describe it as the "purest chalk" when pure MgCO3 is not chalk at all.
13 Aug, 2015
When I first succumbed to the evil of chalk in the 1980s, I bought Light Magnesium Carbonate from the Chemists which was presumably pretty pure. A quick online search shows you can buy a kilo for approx £15.00 delivered whereas branded "climbing" chalk appears to be in the region of £35.00 per kilo.
13 Aug, 2015
Bot sure where you get 35 per kilo from. The Beta Chalk that I sell is around £17 per kilo at RRP (and incidentally is certified pharmaceutical grade and safe to ingest and works rather well. Possibly because it has very little impurity) Glyn, Drew, Steve et al - I'll send you the invoice for bumping your thread for you ;-)
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