Brand Summary: Discarded foam holds, silicone molds, half-finished sculptures, plaster, dust… So many reminders that reflect a state of mind founded on an everlasting search for new ideas.  The will to explore creative possibilities has led to testing different shapes, trying various materials and mastering molding techniques.  Flathold was born of the encounter between an international route setter and a visual arts student, whose first experience together dates back to 2008.  A common goal: to create and develop shapes and grips, to fashion the foam so as to approach the feelings one gets on a natural line. Testing gravity on the grips; imagining the movement possibilities they can offer on a wall; feeling the friction point.  Beyond their basic function, the goal is to make the holds aesthetic.  A random detail on the sculpture can be what gives harmony to the shape.

Our Thoughts: Flathold is an architype of Swiss refinement. Everything carefully done with artistic precision. Going back to 2010, Chris and Manu first worked together at the Vail Boulder World Cup and shared a passion for the routesetting craft and hold designs, and in the years that followed, the Thread + Flathold partnership actualized. We’re proud to distribute the brand that has pushed innovation in shaping and in routesetting. From the radical organic creativity of the Rustic Flowers or Schmarotzer screw-ons, to the brilliantly pure curves of the Damage Control range and the fiberglass volumes, the excellence of the shapes speaks for itself. And from World Cups to fresh moves set in gyms all over the world, Flathold goes in unison with competition climbing. Two decades ago, climbing movement on plastic was more often than not, grabbing and pulling between holds. 10 years ago, both the repertoire of dynamic movements expanded and the contortion and technical maneuvering of volumes pushed into play. With Flathold, these themes have developed further, and new ideas have arisen, because we both have the tools to push them forward. Coordinating power, bouncing from one tricky and difficult position to another. Fusing strength and body position, shifting shoulders between holds that may be positive, but require subtlety to perform. Standing on the smallest footholds while balancing with minimal friction and employing total contact strength just to stay on the wall. This is what Flathold allows us to do, and we love it.