V scale bouldering ), with each higher number indicating a more challenging problem. One of the most commonly used grading systems for bouldering is the V-Scale. Grades can be subjective and may vary slightly . The Bouldering V Scale, also known as the Hueco scale, was created by the famous American rock climber John Sherman. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to French to V-Scale. At lower grades, a single V grade often translates to being ‘wider’ than a single grade on the Font Scale. The V scale was developed in the USA and is a system that currently starts with VB for the simplest bouldering problems and goes all the way up to V17 for super experienced professionals. Cons of V scale bouldering grades: Jan 28, 2022 · Australian Climbing Grades. The V-scale is open-ended, with the hardest bouldering Pros of V scale bouldering grades: It is the simplest system without multiple letters and covering a range of numbers more distinct from other route grades. I don't know if I agree with chart. Before this, the kyuu grades goes up to 10, and represents easier climbs. It is especially clear and less cluttered at the top end, V9 and above, so in that respect, it’s more targeted towards strong boulderers. Bouldering grade conversions between the V-Scale and the Font-scale are mostly accurate. This system ranges from V0 (easiest) to potentially unlimited difficulty. Bouldering grades are a crucial aspect of the sport, as they help climbers understand the difficulty level of a particular climb. A 7c+ however, is more similar to the V10 bouldering grade in the V-scale. Sherman was an early bouldering pioneer. 2 kyuu is a V4, and 7 kyuu is a V0 for example. The V-scale doesn't consider risk and is purely focused on the technical difficulty of the movements. 15d). There are other ones, like the B-Scale, the P-Scale, the Joshua Tree Scale, and a few others, but you don’t really need to know those as they are not really used. Bouldering Grades. Bouldering grades are graded using different systems across different regions. Bouldering grades are the assigned difficulty ratings to boulder problems. The standard used most widely today is the V Scale, named after John "Vermin" Sherman, who collaborated with his buddies to rate routes in the legendary Hueco Tanks bouldering area in Texas. An 8a bouldering grade on The V-scale is an open-ended scale that starts at V0 (although a slightly easier "VB" has been used for beginners), and increases in single-digit steps (i. The Australian climbing grade scale for technical scrambling and rock routes, another open-ended rating system, runs from 1 (~YDS 3) to 39 (5. The goal is to reach the top of a boulder problem or route. k. About this Bouldering Grades table: This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. He has over 400 first ascents at Hueco Tanks in Texas between the 1980s and 1990s. 8a to V-scale . The grades are determined by a combination of factors, inc Jun 5, 2023 · The two most popular grading systems are the V-Scale and the Font-Scale. e. Understanding the V-Scale. The two most common boulder grading systems are the V-Scale and the Fontainebleau Scale. If you would like to learn more about what bouldering is, please check out our comprehensive guide . From V0 to V9, you have a 1:1 correspondence with YDS and V. Bouldering Grades "Grades are subjective" - OK, that's out of the way. Just my opinion though Jun 4, 2025 · Bouldering V Scale. V5, V6, V7), and was at V17 in 2023 with Burden of Dreams. Sep 16, 2021 · Bouldering Grades Conversion Chart: V Scale to Font Scale. In my eyes, that makes your chart way way sandbagged for the lower V grades, and way cruiser for the higher V grades. South African rock climbing grades are very similar to Australian, with the exception that the upper end of the scale is currently at 41. Dec 6, 2022 · The bouldering V Scale is a grading system developed by John Sherman, aka "The Vermin", "Verm", and is used to classify the difficulty of bouldering routes or problems. The V-scale, developed in the 1980s by climber John “Vermin” Sherman, is a widely used grading system in North America. a the Vermin Scale) The V-Scale is as follows: V0-V3: Beginner; V4-V6 Feb 14, 2024 · The “V” in bouldering grades stands for “Verm” or “Vermin,” a nod to John “Vermin” Sherman, who played a significant role in popularizing the V Scale grading system. At higher grades, the Font Scale and V Scale become almost directly translatable. Both 7b and 7b+ in the font scale are converted into a V8 in the Hueco Grading System. It has been adapted from martial arts, and 1 kyuu is seen as the baseline for boulderers – equivalent to V5/6. Jun 23, 2024 · V-Scale Grades. 7b to V-scale. Here is a chart showing the bouldering rating conversions between the V Scale and Font Scale. There is some controversy between bouldering grade conversion, however for the most part we can assume the conversions will hold true. When using bouldering grades, it really is only used in this country. The scale ranges from V0 to V17, with V0 being the easiest and V17 being the most difficult. A 7c in the Font scale converts to a V9 in the V-scale. Currently, V17 is the highest known grade, but most of us climbers will probably stop at V3, thank you very much. The below table runs through the V-Scale and Font-Scale bouldering grade conversion: The V-scale (sometimes called the Hueco scale) was developed in the 1990s by legendary American boulderer John "Vermin" Sherman in Hueco Tanks, Texas. 7c to V-scale. If you go bouldering in Europe, you'll see ratings in the Font Scale. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. This scale measures the difficulty of a bouldering problem based on its technical demands, as well as the mental and physical challenges it presents. The V Scale begins at V0 and the current limit is at V17. The Vermin Scale, commonly referred to as the V-Scale, is used to grade bouldering problems. For Bouldering (shorter, harder climbs), we use the V Scale: It goes from V0 (easiest) to… well, as high as someone can stomach. The Bouldering V Scale (a. Sherman sought to create a standardized system to measure boulder problem difficulty, and the "V" in V-scale stands for "Vermin," his climbing nickname. The scale begins at V0 (beginner level) and progresses upward (V1, V2, etc. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco “V” grades (known as the V-scale), Fontainebleau technical grades, and more. [2] Much like the climbing world, bouldering has evolved multiple rating systems. Mar 17, 2023 · While a 7a+ can be converted into a v7 bouldering grace. ilxbqqqqcmhpapyervgpotthjfyflxujsymaglosqebbcvpnfsi