Zen Lizard Systems - X Chalk
Owner: Larry Reinmuth
- Started in 2002
- Phoenix Arizona USA

NATURAL PRODUCTS TO HELP KEEP YOU CLIMBING!

Zen Lizard is a small company dedicated to "You" - the climber. You may climb rock, boulders, plastic, or buildings - our products are good for everyone!
Since 2002 we have been developing and creating all-natural products for climbers. Our signature product, X Chalk, is arguably the very best chalk that is available to climbers - period. Of course we don't expect you to take our word for it - but would hope you would try it for yourself and see if you don't feel the same way.
Steph chalking up for the send
Larry Reinmuth

There are many reasons why I climb - mostly I like the way it makes me focus. When I can get to that place on the rock where everything other than the climb disappears - that's the best - total focus (yeah, Zen for sure). Me - the rock - and Mr. Gravity (oh yeah, a belayer too)
I also enjoy the challenge of climbing up something that looks friggin’ hard and impossible - and then the reward when you get it (even it means going back, and going back...) Being outside with friends - that's always good. Not really such a thing as a bad day climbing.
Another day at the factory ..........
Larry and Scott with the secret ingredients
Ready to rock!
I think Scott is getting the point!
At first climbers didn’t know what to think about the new chalk that has a scent to it. So Larry also offered chalk without the scent named Plain Jane. Plain Jane was not really a good seller so it was removed from the inventory by 2004. From then on climbers were seeing the climbing advantage that X Chalk provides. As a competitive climber, I bring with me a few different brands of chalk, of which anytime I had to send a route that had sloping holds, I found X Chalk has the best grip value to it.
Marty - Quality control
The new look - X Chalk in the Gold Bag!
- c.9/2022
2 oz and 4 oz
Zen Lizard Systems chalk bag - first generation presented by Robert Olson.
- Sally Ullstrup and Jaime Gangi were the early makers of the chalk bags.
- No mfg label yet.
Zen Lizard first generation chalk pot
- Original owner and bag creator - Jaime Gangi
A newer style Zen Lizard chalk bag was designed and was sewn by Deidre Burton, as well as chalk balls.
- 2nd generation
Other batches of Zen Lizard chalk bags were sewn by Raven, and Cole Truitt.
- 3rd generation
Zen Lizard - 3/2025 new chalkbag
Shirt design by Justin Wagner
Zen Lizard - License plate frame
Zen Lizard - 2004 advertisement
Zen Lizard stickers
A little about X Chalk
X Chalk was developed and formulated with the help of my cousin, a pharmacist, who pointed me to the natural benefits of clove and also the help and guidance of a Chinese Herbalist, who added a couple other unique herbs and botanicals to the blend. X Chalk was originally developed to counteract the effects of the extremely gritty rock that we have in some climbing areas in Arizona. After only a route or two in these areas, using normal chalk, your hands and fingers are hurting - burning - cutting into your ability to concentrate and also your time on the rock. X Chalk's base ingredient is a much higher quality chalk than what is used by other chalk manufactures. X Chalk's finer grain stays on the fingers longer, so you don't have to chalk up as often. But what really separates X Chalk from the other climbing chalks is the other special ingredients that we’ve added. One of the main ingredients in X Chalk is clove. This botanical has long been used for its medicinal properties. Some in the holistic medicine and aromatherapy fields speak of other attributes of clove, such as its mental calming effect as well as other amazing effects that would help a climber. I won't make claims beyond the "calming and pain reducing" abilities on the skin and the skin’s nerves. But I do find that the smell of cloves helps me focus and relax on a route or when working through a tough bouldering problem.
The other ingredients are Myhrr and Tien Chi. (Google these to learn about their amazing medicinal properties) As we've compounded these herbs and botanicals in X Chalk, they will help heal minor skin abrasions/scratches/cuts and also help protect these from infection. They will help you heal faster and the chance of infection is lowered. (Now of course, any serious cut or gash should be attended to by a doctor or other medical professional ASAP!)
X Chalk is an overall superior product, offered at only a slightly higher cost than regular gym chalk.
Scott Sellers hard at work - 2/2025