Key takeaways
- The MoonBoard is a standardized, steeply overhanging board with a fixed, identical hold layout worldwide.
- An app and LEDs display thousands of shared, graded boulder problems.
- Because every board is identical, climbers anywhere attempt the same problems and compare.
- Created by Ben Moon, it's a popular, intense tool for bouldering strength and power.
Created by and named after British climber Ben Moon.
What the MoonBoard is
The MoonBoard is a standardized training board — a steeply overhanging wall set at a fixed angle, with a fixed grid of holds in identical positions worldwide — connected to an app that displays thousands of shared, graded boulder problems lit up by LEDs. It was created by British climber Ben Moon.
Why it’s standardized
Because every MoonBoard has the exact same angle and hold layout, a problem set on one is identical on all of them. Climbers anywhere can attempt the same problems, share and grade them through the app, compare performance, and follow a vast, growing global database — a shared training and benchmarking platform.
A climber opens the MoonBoard app, picks a benchmark problem at their grade, and the LEDs light up the exact holds to use — and because the board is identical worldwide, they’re attempting the same boulder a climber in another country just sent, comparing themselves directly.
Who it’s for
It’s an intense, steep, hold-intensive board that builds bouldering-specific strength, power, and power-endurance, skewed toward harder grades. It suits intermediate and advanced climbers wanting focused, measurable training; beginners should build a base first (e.g., on a hangboard and general climbing). The similar app-connected Kilter Board offers adjustable angles and a wider grade range.
The bottom line
The MoonBoard is a standardized, app-connected training board: a fixed-angle overhanging wall with an identical global hold layout and thousands of shared, LED-lit graded problems. Because every board is the same, climbers worldwide attempt the same boulders and compare progress. Created by Ben Moon, it's an intense, measurable tool for building bouldering strength — best once you have a base.
Frequently asked questions
What is a MoonBoard?
The MoonBoard is a standardized climbing training board: a steeply overhanging wall set at a fixed angle with a fixed grid of holds placed in identical positions on every MoonBoard in the world. It connects to an app that, with LED lights behind the holds, shows you which holds to use for thousands of shared, graded boulder problems.
Why is the MoonBoard standardized?
Because every MoonBoard has the exact same angle and hold layout, a problem set on one is identical on all of them. This means climbers anywhere in the world can attempt the same problems, share and grade them through the app, compare their performance, and follow a vast, constantly growing global database of boulders — turning it into a shared training and benchmarking platform.
Who is the MoonBoard for, and what does it train?
It's an intense, steep, hold-intensive board that builds bouldering-specific strength, power, and power-endurance, with problems skewing toward harder grades. It suits intermediate and advanced climbers looking for focused, measurable training; because the climbing is steep and powerful on often small holds, beginners may find it very hard and should build a base first. Similar app-connected boards include the Kilter Board.
Sources
- Climbing training — American Alpine Club
- Bouldering & training — UIAA