| What it is | A flat-lipped hold |
| Used by | Fingertips or shoe edge |
| Thin edge | = a crimp |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
An edge is a climbing hold with a defined, flat lip that you grip with your fingertips or stand on with the edge of your shoe. Edges range from generous to razor-thin — where they become crimps — and they are the most common hold type on technical face climbs, rewarding precise edging footwork.
Hands and feet
You grip edges with finger pads and stand on them by edging with the shoe’s rim.
Edge vs crimp
A small edge gripped with bent fingertips is a crimp — see edge vs crimp and all hold types.
Frequently asked questions
What is an edge in climbing?
An edge is a hold with a flat, defined lip. Larger edges let you get several finger pads on and feel secure; you also stand on edges with the side of your shoe. As edges shrink to a fingertip's width, they become crimps.
What's the difference between an edge and a crimp?
They're points on the same spectrum: an edge is any flat-lipped hold, while a crimp specifically refers to a small edge gripped with bent fingertips. Every crimp is a small edge, but not every edge is small enough to be a crimp.
How do you stand on an edge?
Use the technique of edging — place the inside or outside edge of your shoe precisely on the hold's lip, keep your heel level, and stand up through the foot. Precise placement and stiff-enough shoes make small edges usable.
Sources
- Climbing holds — American Alpine Club