Climbing gym chain · Australia
Boulder Lab grades, explained
Boulder Lab is a Melbourne bouldering chain with three gyms, in Ferntree Gully, Clayton South and Brunswick, and over 2,200 m² of walls between them; a fourth gym in Heidelberg is listed as coming in 2026. Climbs are graded 1 (easiest) to 9 plus a wildcard grade, and memberships and 10-visit passes work at every gym. The gyms are for ages 12 and up, except Kinder Lab, a kids' bouldering area at Clayton.
Bouldering grades
Boulders are graded with numbers from 1 (easiest, 'a ladder up the wall') to 9 (hardest), plus a wildcard grade. 'Lab Experiment' and competition tags mark ungraded boulders. Boulder Lab doesn't publish V-grade equivalents, so the ranges below are our estimate, spreading the nine numbers over a typical VB–V10 range in order.
| Level | V-scale | ≈ Font |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VB–V0 | 3–4B+ |
| 2 | V0–V1 | 4B–5B |
| 3 | V1–V2 | 5A–5C |
| 4 | V2–V3 | 5B–6A+ |
| 5 | V3–V4 | 5C+–6B+ |
| 6 | V4–V5 | 6A+–6C+ |
| 7 | V5–V6 | 6C–7A |
| 8 | V6–V8 | 6C+–7B+ |
| 9 | ≥ V8 | ≥ 7B |
| WildcardBoulder Lab lists a wildcard grade without defining its range | – | – |
Boulder Lab uses this grading at all its gyms. Estimated by Gear Loop. The gym publishes only the order of its colours, so these ranges are our best guess from its chart and climbers' descriptions. 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 Lab 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 Lab?
- 1 at Boulder Lab is roughly VB–V0, about 3–4B+ in Font (our estimate).
- What V-scale grade is 2 at Boulder Lab?
- 2 at Boulder Lab is roughly V0–V1, about 4B–5B in Font (our estimate).
- What V-scale grade is 3 at Boulder Lab?
- 3 at Boulder Lab is roughly V1–V2, about 5A–5C in Font (our estimate).
- What V-scale grade is 4 at Boulder Lab?
- 4 at Boulder Lab is roughly V2–V3, about 5B–6A+ in Font (our estimate).
- What V-scale grade is 5 at Boulder Lab?
- 5 at Boulder Lab is roughly V3–V4, about 5C+–6B+ in Font (our estimate).
- What V-scale grade is 6 at Boulder Lab?
- 6 at Boulder Lab is roughly V4–V5, about 6A+–6C+ in Font (our estimate).
Sources
- Boulder Lab: home (three gyms, 2,200 m² of walls, Heidelberg coming 2026)
- Boulder Lab: locations (addresses, hours, phones, age limits)
- Boulder Lab: waiver / first visit ('What are the grades?')
- Boulder Lab: Challenger Series (4 rounds, 4 gyms, grade categories)
- Boulder Lab: FAQ (no booking, age limits)
- Boulder Lab: pricing (passes valid at all locations)
Checked 3 October 2026. Gear Loop isn't affiliated with Boulder Lab.