Globe Climbing, $215, 40 holds
Overall grade: B
Globe spreads out their hold assortment well, from a few carefully chosen jugs to the plethora of mid-size models, rounded out by a progressively downsizing set of small chips. We were a bit disappointed in holds’ creativity and versatility; they felt just a bit behind the times. More dual- and variable-texture holds would be a welcome addition. Color is a highlight of this set. The bright tones make for easy-to-discern targets for long deadpoints and dynos. Bolt-on footholds offered by many companies tend to be pretty mundane. Globe’s, however, offered challenging footwork options and were a nice addition to our usual jibs. Bolts, T-nuts, and wrench included.
Globe Climbing: (888) 354-2513, www.globeclimbing.com

Groperz, $130, 40 holds
Overall grade: B+
Groperz’s polyurethane kit included a wide variety of shapes, including knobs, edges, pockets, and slopers. Overall, we found the shapes very useful for setting long endurance problems that displayed a smooth hold-to-hold flow. Still, we would have like to have had more holds that simulate different rock types than the mostly bulb-like shapes we had. Groperz’s oblong, obliquely textured combination sloper/pinches due deserve special attention. Friendly to grip, but difficult to hold onto, these holds were a favorite for setting burn-your-buddy-off-on-the-last-move problems. The kit included T-nuts, bolts, and a wrench.
Groperz: (800) 476-7366, www.traversewall.com

Metolius, $99, 40 holds
Overall grade: A
Metolius has been in the hold-making game since its infancy in the U.S., and its maturity shows. Take quick a look at their catalog and you’ll see page after page of myriad holds. Fortunately, Metolius has distilled their abundant collection into an outstanding starter kit, which delivers a highly diverse and useful set of grips. You get several of their most standard shapes, but also several creative screw-on holds, including a rail and one of Metolius’s patent-pending 90-degree corners, perfect for placing on an arête or panel top. Many rock types are simulated in the set, from flowstone to granite. This package, which included an abundance of bolts, T-nuts, screws, and a wrench, was one of the most favored in the review.
Metolius: (541) 382-7585, www.metoliusclimbing.com

Nicros, $210, 42 holds
Overall grade: A
Nicros’ resin kit was top of the heap for us, despite its exclusion of T-nuts. With a broad selection of shapes and sizes ranging from bolt-on rippled slopers and spiny pinches to small, screw-on edges and knobs, this set has something to satisfy even the most jaded, pale-skinned woody rat. The holds, some of which sport textures that appear to be very aggressive, were extremely friendly and pain-free to grip no matter the size or orientation. At the same time, they offered a plethora of challenging options. Nicros has obviously given a lot of consideration to the subtleties of hold rotation. Turn some of the Nicros holds even just a bit, and you’ll find yourself with a new gripping position that you hadn’t before seen. The kit includes bolts, screws, and wrenches, but no T-nuts.
Nicros: (800) 699-1975, www.nicros.com