How in the world can setting a boulder problem in a gym ever help with designing and making leather products? Obviously, they require two completely different skill sets, however, they surprisingly share very similar processes. 

In routesetting, it isn't so simple as to picking out some holds and putting them into the wall. We first have to think about who will be climbing the boulder and what angle of the wall the boulder will be built on. Depending on the angle, this will dramatically narrow down which holds you will be able use to set for your climber. For example, crimp holds may be acceptable on a slab wall for low grade ranges, whereas, those same holds will be completely unacceptable for the grade on any steep overhang. Even a slight difference in wall angle can change the same quality of hold in a dramatic way. If we look at how this translates to leathercraft, we start to ask similar questions. Who are we building this bag for and how will it be used? A firm veg-tan may be a good choice for a messenger bag made to hold paper documents but may not be a good choice for a casual slouchy bag for bike riding. Similarly, if a bag requires a certain structure or drape, even a small variation from its optimal stiffness can cause the bag to behave in a way we deem unacceptable. Starting with the right resources will always prevent a headache down the line. 

Now, when it comes to the construction of a bag, a balance must be struck between function and desired aesthetic. When I attempted my first hand bag, I struggled with finding a suitable leather to meet its criteria. If the leather was too firm or thick, the bag would not turn out properly and seams will look like it is bursting. Too soft or thin, the bag will not have the necessary support. Unfortunately, some styles of bags are locked with a leather with a very specific criteria. In routesetting, we still have to choose between movement and aesthetic. Holds can be grouped in a certain way which looks nice but are often locked into the same types of movement. Although, the right hold quality and hold shape can determine if the boulder looks pretty without sacrificing the desired movement. 

The final consideration is how our creation is going to be used by people we are making it for. The most important part of routesetting is forerunning where we actually climb the boulder. Many times, the boulder climbs differently than intended and a few to many tweaks are needed. A foothold may need to be added, angles of holds may change, or even entire moves are changed in order to result in a boulder that will climb the way you want it to.  We also forerun boulders to find breaks in beta. This is done so that a boulder is climbed in a way where certain moves are incentivized. This makes the overall boulder problem seem polished and its moves intentional. Similarly in leathercraft, when we make a bag, we have to put it on, zip the zippers, observe how it sits and drapes, and use the pockets. Sometimes a pocket placement feels awkward because it is not where we want it to be or it is hard to access. A strap attachment might be in the wrong place because the bag sits on the body differently than we intended. Certain aesthetic features such as a center buckle to access the main compartment may not be used because it is not convenient. We may want the user to use a bag in a certain way but if the balance between aesthetic and function is not found, the entire product gives off a feeling that is wasn't thoroughly designed. We might have to make alterations or keep into consideration all of these factors when we start on our new creation. 

I hope this helps with your shopping or future projects. We now see that two different skill sets can share similar considerations. Maybe this can apply to other hobbies that seem very different from each other, weather it be a job, hobby, activity, or perspective, remember that you will always something you can learn to help you in the future.