Does Climbing Chalk Go Bad?
Do you have some old climbing chalk and now you're wondering if it's any good? We have done the research for you and the answer may surprise you!
As any climber knows, chalk is essential for a good session. It helps keep your hands dry, improves your grip, and just generally makes climbing more enjoyable. But what happens when your once-reliable chalk starts to fail you? Is it time to get new chalk? Or is there something else you can do?
The first thing to understand is that chalk is a mineral—specifically, magnesium carbonate. Magnesium carbonate is also known as "magnesite," which should give you an idea of how long it's been around. In other words, chalk is not some delicate flower that wilts at the first sign of adversity. It's pretty darn tough.
That said, there are a few things that can cause your chalk to go bad. The most common culprit is moisture. If your chalk gets wet, it will clump up and become less effective. This is why it's so important to keep your chalk in a dry place—preferably in a resealable bag or container.
Another reason your chalk might not be performing as well as it used to is because it's old. Just like with any other product, the active ingredients in chalk can break down over time and lose their potency. So if you've had the same bag of chalk for years, it might be time to get a new one.
Chalk is an essential part of climbing, but it doesn't last forever. If your chalk isn't performing as well as it used to, the most likely explanation is that it's either wet or old. In either case, the solution is simple: get new chalk!
If you are needing new chalk check out our article below: