Everlast Climbing Turns 35 Years Old

This year marks the 35^th anniversary of Everlast Climbing. Our founder and General Manager reflected, “It’s fun to think back on the evolution of the company and the positive impact our team has had on millions of children.” The company was founded in 1991 and has seen a lot of growth and changes over the years. The one thing that has stayed constant is the focus on helping youth experience the fun, adventure and benefits of indoor rock climbing!

Notable Dates in Company History

1991 – The business originated in our founder’s Chicago apartment.

1993 – The company’s focus expanded from the production of hand holds to offering Traverse Walls® with the sale of its first Standard Wall.

1997 – We moved from Chicago to St. Paul, MN.

2002 – Our first U.S. patent was awarded for our Discovery® Blackboard Climbing Wall. We now hold over 25 patents, with more patents pending.

2006 – We trademarked the name and color of our Red-Relief Line® which is not only a safety feature, but also a signature look to our climbing walls.

2008 – We become a part of the PlayCore family of brands.

2009 – We held our first annual Day of Caring Event which involved volunteering time to manufacture and install a Traverse Wall® at Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis.

2012 – The Adaptive Wall was launched helping to make climbing more accessible to children with special needs.

2016 – The Kumiki Climbing brand began and featured premium hand holds, volumes and climbing walls geared towards advanced climbers.

2025 – We launched our Boost Grant Program to help more youth-serving organizations bring rock climbing to their program.

Fun Facts about 1991

The internet aka “The World Wide Web” became publicly available.
60 Minutes was the most popular TV show.
The ozone hole over the Arctic was discovered.
In sports, the Minnesota Twins won the World Series, the New York Giants won the Super Bowl, the Chicago Bulls won the NBA Championship and the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup.
The Hubble Space Telescope sent back its first images of the universe.
The Simpsons series debuted.

Greenpeace launched its “Save the Whales” campaign, raising awareness about the plight of marine life.
Activewear was a big fashion trend, not just for working out but for everyday activities. Another trend was layering oversized t-shirts over turtlenecks and layering socks over leggings.
The first Lollapalooza festival took place, showcasing alternative music and culture.
Salsa sales surpassed ketchup sales for the first time.