Over the years shaping climbing holds has become a minor art form. Shapers are creating grips that are either perfect representations of real crag features or are cartoonish shapes pulled from the landscapes of their imagination.

They fess over whether or not the hold has enough options for the climber while at the same time gives the setter the possibility to quickly create a forced sequence. And they want it to look good.

All of these are definitely good things to worry about. But when it comes right down to it there is only one thing that matters: how the hold feels to your hands when you’re climbing on it.

There is one company making holds today that has a monomania about texture & feel. The Pennsylvania based company Synrock cares not about aesthetics, cares not about being the “hottest” brand on the market, and most of all cares not about plastic (they have almost a vengeful hatred of the stuff in all its forms). Synrock founder Jim Bowers cares only about how a hold feels to the climber.

But a hold company cannot live on feel alone. They must appeal to the needs of the buyer and meet the demands of the modern climbing gym.

So Bowers had to make a few compromises: the Rockpods blend the cool feel of the proprietary Synrock grip mix with slick as shit polyurethane. This gives the feel he wants and supposedly makes them lighter and more durable.

That’s not to say he’s found the perfect trade-off, but at least he’s trying.

(I asked Mr. Bowers what the actual name of the company was, Petrogrips, Synrock or Rockpods. He said, “I don’t have a name for the company. It’s sort of like a Prince thing…or I may never have a name. Don’t care.” So for the sake of clarity I’ll use the name Synrock for this review.)

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