The Tech Behind Absolute Holds
At Absolute Climbing, every hold is a product of thoughtful engineering and purposeful design. We’re rethinking how macros are made—combining performance, durability, and innovation in every detail. Here's what makes our tech different:
Thermoformed Shells
Our holds are made using a high-efficiency vacuum thermoforming process, allowing us to craft lightweight, impact-resistant shells from 95% recycled ABS plastic. Unlike fiberglass, our process produces minimal waste —while still delivering a strong, durable hold. The result? Holds that are easy to carry, faster to set, and safer to manufacture.
Lightweight by Design
Our macros are typically less than half the weight of fiberglass holds. This makes them significantly easier to carry, install, and adjust during route setting—especially when working with large holds or high walls. The lightweight construction reduces setter fatigue and shipping costs, without compromising durability.
Flangeless Design
Forget bulky flanges. Our angled insert system allows us to place screw points anywhere on the edge of the hold—not just on a flange. That means more refined shapes, more aesthetic freedom, and tighter placement on the wall. By eliminating the flange, we also reduce material use and create holds that look better and set cleaner.
Patent-Pending Angled Inserts
Until now, flangeless thermoformed macros have required awkward screw angles that can damage walls or compromise the hold's integrity. We’ve solved that with our angled insert system: metal inserts embedded in the hold are precision-angled so that screws enter the wall close to vertical, even if the hold surface is sloped. This ensures a flush, secure, and reliable attachment—with less hassle and less wall damage.
Rear Support Spacers
To back up our angled inserts, we add rear support spacers—reinforced posts on the backside of the hold that press firmly against the wall. These prevent the shell from flexing or deforming under pressure, and you can crank your screws tight without warping the hold.
Built for the Long Haul
Our thermoformed ABS holds are repairable and retexturable, meaning they can be recoated and refreshed after years of use. ABS plastic offers high impact resistance and is much less brittle than fiberglass, so it’s far less prone to cracking or chipping. The inserts are replaceable, so damaged or worn attachment points don’t mean the end of the hold’s life—like we're used to with fiberglass. We can replace them when they wear out for another lease of life.
With Absolute, you’re not just getting a beautiful hold—you’re getting a smarter one.
