Sloper

A "sloper" in bouldering refers to a type of handhold characterized by its rounded, smooth surface. Climbers cannot rely on gripping it tightly with their fingers. Instead, they must use the surface friction of their palms and maintain body tension to stay on the hold. Slopers demand strong grip strength and precise technique.

Examples

Anna encounters a sloper while climbing a V4 route. She has to rely on maximizing surface contact with her palm rather than gripping it. During his bouldering session, Mike approaches a sloper and knows he must keep his body tension tight to stick to the hold. On a challenging problem, Sarah finds a sloper in the crux and reminds herself to press down and keep her center of gravity close to the wall. James struggles with a sloper on an overhang, recognizing the need to use balance and open-handed strength. On her first outdoor bouldering trip, Emma discovers a massive sloper and instinctively adjusts her hand positioning for better friction.