Yes4All Rock Climbing Hangboard Review

Performance Comparison

Edges and Pockets

This model is a little all-or-nothing when it comes to its edges and pockets. Our review team found it to lack as good of a progression compared to boards with far fewer holds. It basically offers all finger sizes in a relatively easy 40mm edge and then two very similar 10mm and 12.5mm depths. This is a pretty big jump in difficulty, giving users fewer options for more incremental gains. Yes, you can get stronger on this board, but those considering it should know it has one of the least balanced progression of holds of any board we've seen.

While this model has a lot in common with the Beastmaker 1000, what is different are the depths of its holds, including its 4-finger edges. They look the same, but they are actually far from it. This model has one set of larger 40mm edges which for most climbers is quite deep. It basically equates to a warm-up edge. Then it sports two very similar 4-finger edges depths. These two edges are 10mm and 12.5mm, which are very similar to one another. Better models have differences of 6-10mm, which offers a better progression.

This is one of the biggest differences between this board and the Beastmaker 1000. The Beastmaker's 4-finger edges are 14mm, 20mm, and 45mm, which we feel is a better progression of edges for most climbers. The 45mm edge is a nice "warm-edge for a lot of climbers, and the 14mm and 20mm edges offers a nice progression of difficulty for folks rather than 10 and 12.5mm.

On the middle level, all of the Yes4All edges are 40mm, meaning they have three total 4-finger edges, along with a pair of 3-finger pockets and 2-finger pockets that are all 40mm in depth. 40mm is a good depth for folks not-yet doing 2-finger and 3-finger hangs to start to work into using smaller finger groups. However, from there, this model has only one 3-finger 30mm depth at the center of the board, which is quite awkward to use, and then the 2-finger and 3-finger pockets on the bottom. These are both 10mm in depth, which feels tiny, and bordering on unusable for all but elite climbers.

These pockets also look similar to the Beastmaker 1000 in their relative size and positioning, but the Beastmaker's edge depths are more variable and offer a better progression of holds relative to their size. For example, the Beastmaker's 2-finger pocket is 50mm as it is a harder hold and also offers 3-finger pockets in 30mm and 20mm sizes. The Yes4All board's lack of middle-difficulty edges and pockets makes it more challenging to have incremental improvements that a more gradual progression of holds would allow.

Slopers and Jugs

This model sports two sloper options and a large warm-up/pull-up jug. The slopers are 33-degrees and 18-degrees, which are nice for building while hand strength, warming-up, or finishing with a nice burn after your primary workout. The jugs aren't are rounded as most other models but are a great place to crank-out a few pull-ups or work on overall lock-off strength.

Pinches

This board has no real pinches. Very few of our testers found this to be a big deal, as half crimps and open crimping does increase sloper and pinch strength to some extent.

Texture

The texture of this board is another big disadvantage of this board for those hoping they might be getting a good deal. Several of this model's edges, particularly the larger ones, have scrapes, bumps, or were generally uneven. This didn't prove to be a deal-breaker on the first hang of the night or for more casual use, but after just a few hangs, our fingertips could easily feel all the irregularities. These bumps and irregularities were a lot less frequent on the smaller edges. Those planning on training extensively on their board should note that these irregularities will take a toll on your fingertips.

Irregularities aside, this model offered just so-so texture, which is surprising for a wood board. It didn't strike as nice a balance of smoothness and friction as the wooden options from Metolius, which all of our testers found to have a nicer feeling and more skin-friendly texture. Texture is a big reason why many climbers will spring for a wooden board, but this model doesn't really pull through in this area.

Ease of Mounting

This model is easy to mount. With dimensions fo 21.7" x 5.9", it is short enough to fit above doorways even in basements or other odd places with below-average height ceilings (even as low as 7ft). While its screw distances don't line up with any sort of average stud distance nor is this board wide enough to go into the Jack or King studs on either side of the doorway, its 5.9" height means that it will likely just be able to go into the door frame header. This means most people won't have to mount this board to plywood before putting it up.

Value

This model is among the least expensive hangboards on the market and certainly one of the best prices for a wood board with this many holds. However, its less skin-friendly edges and irregular surfaces kept it from winning us over. Still, the Yes4All offers a good number of holds. If you are willing to sand down the edges (which many people do), we think you'll see more value in this product. There's not a lot one can do, though, to improve the progression of holds.

Conclusion