Compound comparison

Pick your rubber.

A resole is the one time you get to choose your compound. Every rubber trades friction against edge support against lifespan — here's how the ones your resoler can actually buy stack up.

Compound	Maker	Character	Friction	Edge support	Durability	Common thicknesses	Best for

Ratings are relative, bench-and-wall consensus among member resolers — not lab numbers. Every compound here is genuinely good; the question is what you climb.

Quick answers

Which one should I get?

"I boulder / climb steep sport"

A soft, high-friction compound — Vibram XS Grip 2, Unparallel RS, or Mad Rock Science Friction. Maximum smear and hook, shorter lifespan.

"I climb vertical, technical, or trad"

A firm compound — Vibram XS Edge or Unparallel RH. Crisp micro-edging, holds an edge shape longer, and shrugs off cracks.

"I climb everything / I'm hard on shoes"

Split the difference: a firm compound in 4mm, or a grippy compound in a thicker cut. Ask your resoler what wears best at your gym — they see the evidence daily.

The elephant in the workshop

Why can't I resole with Stealth?

Five Ten's Stealth compounds (C4, HF, Mi6) are only applied at the factory — the rubber isn't sold to independent resolers. If you love your Hianglés, they'll resole beautifully in another compound; most climbers land on XS Grip 2 or UP RS as the closest neighbors. Keeping repair-grade materials available to independent shops is exactly the kind of issue this coalition exists to work on.

Rule of thumb: if a shoe can be built, it can almost always be rebuilt — the compound on the bottom is your choice, not the factory's.