Better grip. Better skin. Better scent.
Everything you need to know about the world’s best climbing chalk.
THE BASE
X Chalk starts with a super clean grade of finely ground magnesium carbonate. Rather than coming from a mining process like most climbing chalk, X Chalk’s magnesium carbonate is made through a seawater process in Japan. The result is a purer, more environmentally conscious chalk that feels great on your hands.
Our biggest gripe with most climbing chalk on the market is the “coated” or “greasy” feeling it leaves on your skin. It’s almost like climbing in vinyl gloves, and it keeps you from truly feeling the hold. X Chalk’s fine grind and high purity fix that, so you stay physically and mentally connected to the rock.
You’ll feel it the first time you dip. The fine grain spreads into a thin, even coat that stays put between chalk-ups, so you spend less time in your bag and more time climbing.
Give it a shot. If you don’t notice the difference, we’ll be happy to tell you you’re wrong :).
THE BOTANICALS
X Chalk has always been known as “the stuff that smells really good,” which we’re thrilled about! But the warm, calming scent is only half the story. We add clove, myrrh, and tien chi not only for their comforting aroma, but also because all three have been used for centuries to care for hard-working skin. And whose skin works harder than a climber’s?
Chalk dries out your skin, which is why your hands still feel dry long after your session. Each of these ingredients brings its own helpful compounds to keep your skin healthy and happy during and after your session.
MYRHH
Commiphora myrrha
Myrrh is a sap harvested from Commiphora trees. This prized amber-colored resin has been trusted for thousands of years as a natural antiseptic and wound healer. It’s known to speed up skin repair and reduce inflammation, which is ideal for the wear and tear climbing puts on your hands. Its earthy aroma promotes calm and mental clarity on route.
CLOVE
Syzygium aromaticum
Cloves are flower buds that are picked before they bloom and then dried. They’ve been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their powerful pain-relieving properties. Their active compound, eugenol, acts as a natural antiseptic, helping prevent infection in cracked or torn skin. In aromatherapy, clove’s warming scent promotes calm focus.
TIEN CHI
Panax notoginseng
Tien chi is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, revered for reducing inflammation, promoting tissue regeneration, and speeding up healing. Its adaptogenic properties restore energy and reduce stress, so your hands and your head are ready to climb again and again.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Scent
The second you open the package, you’ll be greeted by the soothing scent of clove and myrrh. X Chalk is formulated so the scent is noticeable to you on the rock but not to your belayer below, so it’s strong but not overpowering.
The Feel
Dipping your hand into a bag of X Chalk feels like running your fingers through fine silk. It’s soft and silky at first, then slightly gritty and tactile once your hands are coated. Thanks to its fine grind, X Chalk coats your hands quickly and evenly, so you spend less time chalking up.
The Effects
Chalk is meant to keep your hands dry, and X Chalk does an incredible job of that. But that’s not all. The warm scent helps keep your head calm when you’re pumping out at the crux. And last but not least, your skin will thank you. After a few weeks of using X Chalk, you’ll find your skin bounces back from hard days much faster than it would with plain chalk.
Will it make me a better climber?
The second you open the package, you’ll be greeted by the soothing scent of clove and myrrh. X Chalk is formulated so the scent is noticeable to you on the rock but not to your belayer below, so it’s strong but not overpowering.
X CHALK ORIGINS
In 2005, a friend of Walia's founder realized that plain chalk in conjunction with Arizona's extremely gritty rock was destroying their hands. After only a route or two, their skin was burning, aching, and cutting into the time they could spend on the rock.
No one wants to end a climbing day because of skin problems and so they set out to find a solution. With the help of a pharmacist and a traditional Chinese herbalist, X Chalk was born.
For 20 years, X Chalk was manufactured and distributed by Zen Lizard, a company that has built a loyal following in the climbing community. In early 2026, Zen Lizard's owner passed the formula to Walia. Same recipe. New hands. We have big shoes to fill, but it's no hill for a climber.
