Chalk Rebels
Founded by climbers Francis Dierick and Tianyi Gu, Chalk Rebels is on a mission to create the best products to help reduce chalk use in the climbing community. Born out of a frustration with the environmental "white-washing" of natural crags and the unhealthy dust clouds in indoor gyms.
Unlike traditional brands that rely on environmentally damaging mining practices, Chalk Rebels focuses on high-performance, sustainable alternatives to achieve the highest purity of chalk. Their innovation starts at the source, using seawater-based magnesium.
By combining science with respect for the outdoors, Chalk Rebels isn't just selling chalk; they are leading a movement to preserve the rock we love for future generations.
The Science of Friction
One of the biggest mistakes climbers make is using the same chalk as everyone else without considering their own skin chemistry. Humidity, genetics, and sweat levels all dictate how your hands react to the rock. Chalk Rebels has simplified this by categorizing climbers into four distinct skin types.
The philosophy doesn't end when you top out. Because chalk is designed to be incredibly effective at removing moisture, it can leave skin brittle if neglected. Chalk Rebels bridges the gap between Performance and Recovery.
Identify Your Skin Type
Non-sweaty + Dry
Congratulations, you’ve won the climber's lottery! Use Chunky Chalk for precise grip. Dry skin heals slower, so use Repair Balm post-session.
Non-sweaty + Oily
Liquid chalk like Chalk Cream or Magic Chalk is your best friend. It strips away oils instantly to create a dry base for the start of your session.
Sweaty + Dry
Use Smooth Chalk (Upsalite®) with Sweat Shield. This combo absorbs 2x more sweat while keeping your skin from becoming brittle.
Sweaty + Oily
For maximum performance, combine a Chalk Booster with Chunky Chalk. This creates the aggressive grip needed for technical holds.
What is Upsalite®?
Climbing chalk is made of Magnesium Carbonate, which naturally absorbs moisture. However, Upsalite® is a lab-engineered form of "mesoporous" magnesium carbonate that changes the game for performance.
Upsalite has been scientifically proven to increase absorption up to 10x because of its extraordinary high surface area. It allows us to boost the performance at least 2x compared to regular chalk.
In the Chalk Rebels range, Upsalite® is used as a "booster" in products like Magic Chalk and Smooth Chalk. It keeps your hands dry longer, even in high-humidity or high-intensity conditions.
Sustainability
Traditional magnesium is often mined, a process that is energy-intensive and damaging to the landscape. Chalk Rebels uses Seawater-Based Magnesium sourced from European manufacturers, extracted through a clean process that leaves a significantly smaller footprint.
Beyond the products themselves, the brand is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of all sales to environmental causes. Specifically, they partner with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every product sold.
