You would think that it’s hard to get excited about a chalk bag, but this one really does it for me. After reading a lot of reviews and trying out different brands instore, I decided on the Black Diamond Gym Chalk Bag.
This bag has a luxury feel. Its material is soft against the skin, and it has a nicely tapered shape. It is made specifically for indoor climbing and bouldering, and even has a built-in chalk sock.
The built-in sock comes empty, and can be filled with one’s favorite brand of chalk.
The Gym Chalk Bag leans towards the higher end of the price range, but after a thorough online search I personally decided to go for quality. Too many reviews on the lower-priced bags reported seams coming apart and strings fraying after only 2 – 3 months of use. I wanted a bag that will last a few years, and Black Diamond has a rock-solid reputation for quality.
I also wanted a bag that won’t leak chalk all over the car seats. This particular bag has a closure that snugs in very tight compared to other models. The drawstring was much smoother and easier to use than the ones on the other bags I tried out.
The Black Diamond Gym Chalk Bag has two slits to slip a brush through. A slit on the opposite side fits a credit card, driver’s license, and one or two keys – but not much else (so if a pocket is important, have a look at the Black Diamond Mojo bag, which has great reviews).
This bag fits the bill on every point that I personally find important, and I can recommend it with enthusiasm. To check the availability and current price on the Black Diamond Gym Chalk Bag, see it on Amazon by clicking here.
To check the Amazon pricing and availability of the Black Diamond Mojo Chalk Bag, which has a pocket, click here.
I’m a small person, 105 lbs/47.6 kg, so I selected the small/medium bag size. It’s plenty roomy enough for my hand size. However, anyone with large hands should definitely consider the medium/large for both the Gym and the Mojo models.
The Brush: while any small brush will do, a natural boar’s hair brush is recommended because it is excellent at lifting chalk, and it won’t damage holds. The brush I use is the Flashed Bamboo Brush, purchased instore at Mountain Equipment Co-op. On Amazon.com, Crush Climbing has a similar boar’s hair brush with a good price and great reviews.
The chalkbag assessment was done at a Mountain Equipment Co-op store. Check out their instore use of chalk bags:
