Key Considerations in Selecting a Climbing Wall Manufacturer

1. Safety Standards and Certifications:
   • Ensure the manufacturer adheres to industry safety standards and has relevant certifications (e.g., from the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) or the European Standard EN 12572).
2. Experience and Reputation:
   • Check the manufacturer’s experience in the industry and their reputation. Look for reviews, testimonials, and case studies of previous installations. If it’s possible, you might want to go and do a test climb at one of the walls that you know they’ve installed at.
3. Customisation Options:
   • Assess whether the manufacturer offers customisable solutions to fit your specific space, design preferences, and climbing needs (e.g., various wall angles, features like overhangs, cracks, and modular systems). Climbing wall spaces are often quite quirky so you want to work with a company that can match your particular needs.
4. Material Quality and Durability:
   • Evaluate the quality of materials used and check the range that the manufacturer offers. Durable materials like fiberglass, plywood, and high-quality holds can ensure longevity and reduced maintenance. We have a separate blog on choosing your climbing wall material.
5. Design and Aesthetics:
   • Consider the design capabilities of the manufacturer. The wall should be visually appealing and blend well with its surroundings while also being functional and challenging. A creative wall builder can really enhance the quality of the climber experience in your gym, so take time to find someone who you are confident understands what you are looking to achieve, what kind of wall you want to build, listens to your input and reflects that in the wall design.
6. Range of Products and Services:
   • Look for a manufacturer that offers a wide range of products, such as bouldering walls, lead climbing walls, auto-belay systems and a good range of holds. Additional services like installation, maintenance, and route setting are also valuable. Some manufacturers also offer some adjacent products and services such as front desks or climbing accessories which may help you save time in your project.
7. Cost and Budget:
   • Analyse the overall cost, including initial construction, installation, and potential long-term maintenance. Ensure the pricing aligns with your budget while still meeting your quality and safety standards. Choosing a manufacturer that is local to you is likely to keep the project price down as they will not need to travel from as far or incur as much in transport costs for their team and materials.
8. Support and Warranty:
   • Check the manufacturer’s warranty policies and the level of support they offer post-installation. Good customer service and support can be crucial for long-term satisfaction. We would advise looking for a wall partner that is either local or has local offices and support so that if something does go wrong and you need quick assistance, they will be able to quickly address your needs.
9. References and Portfolio:
   • Ask for references and review the manufacturer’s portfolio of completed projects. This will give you insight into their capabilities and the quality of their work. Ideally, try to visit one or more of their recent projects so you can see their work in the field and how durable it has been after months or years of usage.
10. Sustainability:
    • Consider if the manufacturer uses sustainable practices and materials. Eco-friendly options can be a priority for some organisations. Climbers are generally an environmentally conscious group and will respond well to their favourite climbing walls adopting environmentally sustainable choices.

By thoroughly evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a climbing wall manufacturer that best suits your needs and ensures a safe, enjoyable climbing experience.

Here’s a  few suggestion of Climbing Wall manufacturer’s to get you started:

• Kong Climbing
• Rockworks
• Climbing Collective
• Walltopia
• EP Climbing
• Dreamwall