Climbing gym chain · New Zealand
Boulder Co. grades, explained
Boulder Co. is a New Zealand bouldering chain with three gyms: Auckland (Westgate, opened December 2021), Hamilton (Te Rapa, opened 2024) and Christchurch (Riccarton). Each gym pairs bouldering with a fitness gym and a café and bar, and the walls are designed and built by Christchurch company Climb Craft. Climbs are numbered 1 to 8 plus a '?' mystery grade, on one chart for all three gyms.
Bouldering grades
Every climb carries a number from 1 (easiest) to 8, and each number covers a range of difficulty. Boulder Co.'s grade chart maps the numbers onto V-grades (below) and Font grades (in the notes). A '?' tag marks a mystery grade that can be anything. The chart says grades are indicative only.
| Level | V-scale | ≈ Font |
|---|---|---|
| 1Font 3–5 | VB–V1 | 3–5B |
| 2Font 5–5+ | V1–V2 | 5A–5C |
| 3Font 5+–6A+ | V2–V3 | 5B–6A+ |
| 4Font 6A+–6B+ | V3–V4 | 5C+–6B+ |
| 5Font 6B+–6C+ | V4–V5 | 6A+–6C+ |
| 6Font 6C+–7A | V5–V6 | 6C–7A |
| 7Font 7A–7A+ | V6–V7 | 6C+–7B |
| 8Font 7A+ and up; the chart tops out at 'V9 & up / 7C & up' | ≥ V7 | ≥ 7A+ |
| ? (mystery grade)Can be any grade on the chart | – | – |
Boulder Co. uses this grading at all its gyms. From the gym's own grading guide. Gyms reset and regrade often, and grades vary between setters, so treat this as a guide and check the boards when you visit.
3 Boulder Co. gyms
Each gym's page has its address, how to book, and links to prices and opening hours.
Is this page accurate and helpful?
Questions
- What V-scale grade is 1 at Boulder Co.?
- 1 at Boulder Co. is VB–V1, about 3–5B in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 2 at Boulder Co.?
- 2 at Boulder Co. is V1–V2, about 5A–5C in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 3 at Boulder Co.?
- 3 at Boulder Co. is V2–V3, about 5B–6A+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 4 at Boulder Co.?
- 4 at Boulder Co. is V3–V4, about 5C+–6B+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 5 at Boulder Co.?
- 5 at Boulder Co. is V4–V5, about 6A+–6C+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 6 at Boulder Co.?
- 6 at Boulder Co. is V5–V6, about 6C–7A in Font.
Sources
- Boulder Co.: grading system (chart)
- Boulder Co.: grade chart image
- Boulder Co.: home (three locations, addresses, hours)
- Boulder Co.: our vision (walls by Climb Craft)
- Boulder Co.: Auckland turning 4 (Dec 2025)
- Boulder Co.: Hamilton 1st birthday (Mar 2025)
- Blue Fitness: Boulder Co. opened December 2021
- Boulder Co.: grading
- Boulder Co. Auckland: facility
Checked 3 October 2026. Gear Loop isn't affiliated with Boulder Co..