In this article on Naijaknowhow, I’ll be writing about some of the finest rock climbing apps for smartphones. Climbing has always been closely connected to nature and known for its minimal use of electronic technology. However, things are changing rapidly.
Climbing is now becoming more connected, social, and technology-friendly. It is evolving in unexpected ways, and its popularity continues to grow. To support climbers in their pursuits, a variety of useful technologies have emerged in the form of rock climbing applications.
These rock climbing apps serve different purposes, such as training assistance, building a community of fellow climbers, or providing guidance to climbing locations. The functions, features, and design of these apps are adequately highlighted.
What is a Rock Climbing App?
A rock climbing app is designed to assist climbers in various aspects of their climbing experience. Users can access beta info about a climb, record their climbs, share achievements, and connect with the climbing community through these apps, making them valuable tools for both beginner and experienced climbers.
How We Evaluate the Best Apps:
We prioritise the confidence our readers place in us by conducting evaluations of the top apps on both Android and iOS platforms through extensive testing and research. We deploy humans to test and compile articles to help those who are looking for the best of the best. Our team of tech writers and a small tech community invest significant time experimenting with and using these tech products or software. As a result, we reach well-informed conclusions based on the effectiveness, user experience, and customer support offered by the apps. It’s important to note that we never receive compensation for featuring apps in our articles or for linking to any websites. You can read more about how we review apps and software on Naijaknowhow.
After a series of examinations and tests of these apps, here are some of the features you should look out for in a rock climbing app:
- Route database with difficulty ratings
- Interactive maps for locating climbing areas
- Training plans and workouts
- Community forums for sharing tips and experiences
List of the Best Rock Climbing Apps for Android and iOS
Below is a list of recommended rock climbing applications that you can use on your smartphone. Hopefully, among these recommendations, you will find an app that can help you discover and conquer your dream climbing challenges!
1. 27 Crags – Rock Climbing Guide
27 Crags is an app designed for climbers, various helpful features all in one place. It allows users to discover exciting climbing locations, plan their mountain climbs, and connect with other climbers through chat. The app’s main function is its maps, which enable users to find boulder areas near their current location and explore them in real life.
In addition, users can create their own detailed routes with various points of interest. To ensure climbers stay on track and avoid getting lost, the app includes a GPS function that allows users to create and follow routes. Furthermore, the app provides the option to plan trips to the mountains using to-do lists.
Experienced climbers can even share their knowledge of routes or specific points with other users, making it a community-driven platform. By user reviews, the app is an effective guide for finding nearby climbing spots. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. However, some users have faced challenges in assessing the difficulty level of certain climbing spots.
Pros:
- Comprehensive climbing location database
- GPS route tracking for safety
- Community-driven platform for sharing knowledge
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Limited offline functionality
- Dependency on user-generated content
- Potential for inaccurate info
- Limited free features, premium required for full access
2. Vertical-Life Climbing
This is an app that helps people with their climbing adventures. It provides motivation, information about climbing sites, and a workout planner. The app has guidebooks with a huge number of climbing routes and places. Users can access these guidebooks online or offline, and the information is always up to date.
The app also offers indoor climbing trainings for users to improve their skills. The app has a large community of rock climbers where users can find friends who share the same interests. They can share their achievements and motivate each other.
The app also organizes local and global challenges and rankings to keep users engaged and excited about their training and climbing. Many users have found the app helpful in accurately tracking their training progress. However, some users have mentioned that there are still some bugs in the app that make it a bit difficult to navigate smoothly.
Pros:
- Comprehensive climbing guidebooks
- Indoor climbing training programs
- Active and supportive climbing community
- Engaging challenges and rankings
Cons:
- Navigation bugs
- Potential usability issues
- Dependency on internet access for some features
- Contains ads
3. Mountain Project
Mountain Project is a helpful app for rock climbers. It provides information about climbing locations and current conditions. The app has a map feature that makes it easy for users to find climbing areas and navigate to them. Users can also sort climbing routes based on different characteristics, such as the type of climbing, difficulty level, and star ratings.
The app has a large database of over 155,000 routes, which can be accessed offline. Users can communicate with other climbers through chat and comments, share their experiences, and create their own to-do lists. Many climbers find the Mountain Project app useful for planning and completing their climbing trips.
It offers a wide range of routes to choose from and provides important details about each location. Users can interact with climbers from around the world and share their knowledge and feedback. Some users, however, prefer using the desktop version of the app as they feel it offers more features compared to the mobile version.
Pros:
- Extensive database of climbing routes
- Interactive map for easy navigation
- Communication features for sharing experiences
- Offline access to route information
Cons:
- Some users prefer desktop version for more features
- Limited customization options for sorting routes
4. PeakVisor
PeakVisor is a special app that helps users know the height of mountains on a map and understand how challenging the routes can be. It also uses the phone’s camera to recognize mountains and their names, making it easier for users to stay on track and know where they are even without an online map.
The app contains 3D maps that allow users to explore trails and routes in advance, helping them prepare for hiking trips. With PeakVisor, users can plan their mountain adventures by estimating the distance and time required for the trip. They can also add interesting places along the route, such as mountain huts, cable cars, viewpoints, castles, and more.
One of the best features of the app is that it works offline since all the necessary materials are pre-downloaded. Overall, PeakVisor is a user-friendly app that provides valuable information about mountains.
Pros:
- Accurate mountain height information
- Offline functionality
- 3D maps for route exploration
- Camera recognition for mountain identification
Cons:
- Premium subscription required for usage
- Contrasting experience between its Android and iPhone versions
5. rakkup
This app helps people find climbing routes all around the world. It acts like a guide and map, showing users the way to the climbing spots without missing any details. One cool thing about this app is that once users download the guidebooks, they don’t need the internet anymore. This is super helpful, especially in remote areas where there’s no internet connection.
The app gives really detailed guides with lots of pictures of the places. It’s easy for users to pick a climbing spot because they can search and filter sites in different ways, like on a map or in a list. Also, the app has a GPS function and detailed maps, so users don’t have to work hard to plan their route.
The app figures out the easiest way to get to the destination and shows users which way to go. People say the app has lots of climbing routes and spots. Overall, it’s a helpful app for finding and navigating climbing routes.
Pros:
- Offline accessibility
- Detailed guides with pictures
- Easy search and filtering options
- GPS functionality for navigation
Cons:
- User interface not very intuitive
- Occasional crashes and glitches
- In-app purchases
6. Crimpd
The Crimpd app is made for people who love rock climbing and want to get better at it. It’s designed by professional climbers to help users improve their endurance, strength, and mobility. With interactive workouts, users can follow step-by-step exercises, including hang boarding with a built-in timer to track progress.
Users can easily keep track of their workouts on a calendar and see how they’re progressing over time. The app also offers a user-friendly planner with fifteen pre-made templates for workout plans. Plus, users can customize their plans to fit their own fitness goals and preferences.
The app suggests training sessions tailored to each user’s goals, categorizing them accordingly. The main request from users is to have the option to adjust the number of sets and repetitions for each exercise, which could further enhance their experience with the app.
Pros:
- Tailored workouts by professional climbers
- Interactive exercises for endurance and mobility
- Easy workout tracking on a calendar
- Customizable workout plans
Cons:
- Limited set and repetition adjustments
- Subscription required to access all features
7. Boulder Trainer
Boulder Trainer is designed to help climbing enthusiasts enhance their climbing abilities. It offers a variety of exercises that primarily focus on improving endurance and strength, which are crucial for climbing. Users can also customize their own workouts based on their specific needs to make their training more effective.
During the workouts, voice instructions are provided for added convenience. The app also sends training reminders to keep users motivated and on track towards achieving their goals. According to reviews from users, the app is a valuable tool for those who want to exercise correctly and enhance their climbing skills.
However, some users have expressed minor suggestions for future features. For instance, they would like the ability to write notes and have information about which muscle groups or skills each exercise targets for development. These additions would further enhance the app’s usefulness for climbers.
Pros:
- Customizable workouts
- Voice instructions for convenience
- Training reminders for motivation
- Valuable tool for enhancing climbing skills
Cons:
- Subscription required for usage
- Lack of note-taking feature
- Minimal feedback on performance or progress
Download Link: iOS
8. MyClimb
MyClimb is one of the popular rock climbing apps for people who love climbing. It lets you create your own workouts and find climbing partners from all over the world. The app has lots of different workout plans and daily exercises to help you get ready for rock climbing.
You can choose the difficulty level that works best for you, and the app can track your indoor and outdoor climbing workouts using any grading system you prefer. One cool thing about the app is that you can ask a professional climber any questions you have about rock climbing. They’ll give you helpful advice and tips to improve your skills.
To keep you motivated, the app lets you set goals for yourself. This way, you can see your progress and stay accountable. One more thing, the app is easy to use. Users, however, have suggested adding progress charts to make it easier to see how they’re improving.
Pros:
- Versatile workout plans
- Global climbing partner network
- Access to professional climber advice
- Goal setting for motivation
Cons:
- Lack of progress charts
- No longer on the app market, seen only on the web
Conclusion
Above is a list of recommended rock climbing apps for your smartphone, so you can find the perfect app to conquer your climbing goals. These apps can assist with training, help you find climbing locations, and connect you with other climbers. And they have different features and designs to cater to your needs.
