Smelling salts, which are made of ammonium carbonate and perfume, trigger an inhalation reflex. Some athletes find this reflex useful because of the improved alertness, focus, and boost in energy that this brings. These results can be especially useful for rock climbers, as the sport requires endurance and focus.
The best smelling salts to use before rock climbing is AmmoniaSport Athletic Smelling Salts because these are powerful, fast-acting, effective, and provide one hundred uses with just one bottle.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss some of the best smelling salts to use before rock climbing for better focus, precision, and energy.
Best Overall: AmmoniaSport Raw Athletic Smelling Salts
These extremely high-rated salts can be purchased on Amazon.com. They provide over one hundred uses with just one bottle, and the salts are easily activated with a small amount of water.
The reaction to the salts is nearly instant and provides a lot of energy, strength, and focus, all of which are crucial for a safe and fun rock climbing session. Just be sure to hold the bottle at least six inches away from your nose when you sniff, as these salts are raw and therefore extremely powerful and potent.
Pros
- The salts are fast-acting. You won’t need to wait long to feel the effects of these salts. Almost immediately after inhalation, you’ll feel an increase in energy and focus because the salts are raw and powerful.
- There’s a 30-day refund guarantee. If you aren’t happy with the effectiveness of the salts, you have thirty days to return them for a full refund.
- The product is made entirely in the United States. These salts are made in a GMP-certified facility with strictly regulated ingredients, so you can be sure you’re getting a high-quality and safe product.
- Reviewers report that they are effective. This product has over 5,300 ratings on Amazon, and 83% of these reviews are four or five stars. Users report consistently feeling more energized and focused after smelling these salts.
Cons
- Some may find these salts to be a little overpowering. These are raw salts, so they are powerful. If someone inhales too much, they may find the experience to be a bit overwhelming.
- The product is not FDA-approved. Some people may not be comfortable using a product that isn’t FDA approved, which these salts are not.
- The ammonia smell may be a bit jarring. Some other salts on the market mix more perfume in with the product or dilute the ammonia more, but these salts are raw. As a result, the smell can be overpowering, especially to first-time users.
- Some users report that the effects don’t last very long. The effects of smelling salts aren’t ever going to last for hours, but some are better than others in terms of longevity. According to some reviewers, the effects of these salts, although strong, don’t last very long after use.
Best for Bouldering and Strenuous Rock Climbing: Ward Smelling Salts Bottled Insanity
You can purchase Bottled Insanity from Ward Smelling Salts on Amazon.com. This long-lasting formula just needs a teaspoon of water for activation, and afterward, you can inhale these salts to improve focus, increase strength, and enhance alertness.
These salts are designed for hardcore athletes, so serious rock climbers can rest assured that they are using a product designed for strenuous activity. Keep the bottle at least six inches away from your nose when using.
Pros
- The effect is extra long-lasting. Rock climbers may wish to prioritize longevity with their smelling salts, especially since they can’t exactly whip out their bottles to refresh when they’re in the middle of a climb. So a formula that has effects that last a long time is extremely useful for rock climbers undertaking strenuous climbs.
- The salts are designed to give athletes the maximum adrenaline rush. These salts are made specifically for use by athletes, so they are meant to provide a rush of energy and focus ideal for serious activity.
- The formula is long-lasting. A single bottle provides dozens of uses, so you’ll save money because you won’t need to buy new bottles too frequently. The airtight bottle design maximizes the lifespan of the product.
Cons
- Some users may find it too powerful. Because these salts are designed with serious athletic activity in mind, some first-time users or beginner rock climbers may find the effects of these salts to be too overwhelming. Some users have even reported damage to their sense of smell.
- The plastic of the bottle is cheap and melts easily. If you live in a particularly hot location, beware! Some users report that the bottle’s plastic melts easily, so if you keep it in your car on a hot day, you may return to a potent and sticky mess.
Best Budget Option: Atomic Rhino Smelling Salts for Athletes
This strong and effective product creates strong and potent ammonia that increases alertness and energy, and each bottle lasts for hundreds of uses. The Atomic Rhino Smelling Salts for Athletes are available for purchase on Amazon.com.
If you’re a rock climber on a tight budget, this is a great option because one $15 bottle can last months, depending on how often you use the product. Additionally, the formula is extremely strong, so a little goes a long way.
Pros
- The formula is very strong. These salts aren’t diluted or disguised with perfume; they’re simply pure ammonia. This means that it is extremely effective, and just a little inhalation will cause the reaction you need.
- One bottle lasts for hundreds of uses. You won’t need to worry about constantly repurchasing this product! Because the formula is so strong, one bottle can last for months, which saves you money and effort.
- These salts are designed with high-intensity sports in mind. Rock climbing can get intense, and these salts are manufactured with that kind of pressure in mind. The effects are quick and noticeable, especially the increase in alertness.
- There’s a 100% money-back guarantee. Atomic Rhino is confident in this product; so confident that it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the purchase.
Cons
- Some users report a burning sensation in their nose after using the salts. Because the formula is so strong, some users find the experience of inhalation uncomfortable and report a burning feeling in their nose that lasts for a while after inhalation. Some users even noticed more frequent nosebleeds after using the product.
- They may make you feel slightly nauseous. The strong formula means you’ll feel the effects of the salts quickly, but it also means that the salts may overpower your body and leave you feeling queasy and sick.
- The instructions that come with the product are small and difficult to follow. Activating the product is relatively simple, but the instructions that come with the salts are so small that users find them difficult to read. Other users have also reported that once they could read the instructions, they found them confusing and had to look up how to activate the chemical reaction online.
Why Use Smelling Salt for Rock Climbing?
You can use smelling salts before rock climbing because the salts have a stimulating effect that results in improved alertness and focus. One must be extremely focused to rock climb safely, and smelling salts can help.
Smelling salts contain ammonia gas. When this gas is inhaled, it irritates the nostril and lung membranes, which then causes a sharp inhalation reflex that brings more oxygen into the body.
This extra oxygen improves brain activity, provides a burst of energy, and improves focus. Rock climbing is a demanding sport that requires a lot of energy and focus, so it makes sense to use smelling salts beforehand, especially if you’re feeling tired or distracted.
Many athletes find smelling salts to be helpful in their performance. Michael Strahan estimated that seventy to eighty percent of NFL players use smelling salts.
Many athletes prefer these salts to other alternatives, such as energy drinks and coffee, because these drinks can cause an upset stomach. Additionally, energy drinks can be quite expensive, whereas there are more budget-friendly options for smelling salts.
There is no evidence of any long-term problems associated with smelling salts, although some users have reported nausea, headaches, and burnout from using the salts. Additionally, many find the odor so offensive that they can’t stand using them.
However, if you are a rock climber and don’t experience these short-term side effects after using smelling salts, they can be a great tool to improve focus and safety when practicing.
Final Thoughts
Smelling salts can be an effective way to improve focus, energy, and strength, which can make for a safer and more enjoyable rock climbing experience.
There are many smelling salts available on the market, but the best option overall is AmmoniaSport Athletic Smelling Salts because they are effective and fast-acting, meaning you won’t have to wait too long to feel the effects of the product and start your climb.
Photo altered by dejittr.com | Photo attribution: Patrick Hendry
