Hoseok Lee's Thoughts on the 2024 Setup
What do you think about the 2024 set up?
- The 2024 set is by far my favorite setup of all time. There are so many good things I can talk about endlessly, but to mention only the most notable and important factors:
A. The cuts of the holds are healthier, smoother, and more skin/tendon friendly.
B. The set includes all types of holds: incut crimps, slopy crimps, small pinches, fat pinches, side pinches, slopy underclings, juggy underclings, side pull pinches, pockets (I can go on and on), which allows all types of climbers to create all types of climbing moves to their likings, classic and new styles alike. So on one day, you can train on some static lock-off boulders, and on another day when you feel like it you could even set a comp-style double clutch and have fun on it like I do from time to time.
C. I like that most of the finish holds are juggy and comfortable in this set. Unlike in the 2019 set, which had so many hard finishes, the 2024 set’s finish line is more like the one from the 2016 set and I feel like it gives me more satisfaction to tick off a boulder with one arm lock off at the top jug.
D. The color blue is amazing.
How does it compare to other set ups?
- Oh, I think I already covered this question above. But to add a bit more, I believe the benchmark system is also evolving as we go through with the sets. We have a group of moderators from different countries, climbing different grades and in different styles. Not only is the team at its work to include all variations of different climbing styles and moves in the benchmark but also goes through those healthy debates on the benchmark candidates the community and moderators recommend. So the grades are more consistent with much more variety in climbing styles.
Favourite benchmark?
I’d say Old Lion (7C+) as it was set by one of, if not the strongest machines, Ravioli Bicep himself, but also a replica of a real boulder, Vecchio Leone with its iconic left shoulder lock-off move.
Favourite hold on the 2024?
Definitely H10 pinch! I love those pinches where I can hang one arm.
