The 8 Best Climbing Ropes of 2022
Climbing rope – Buying Guide, Opinions and Analysis
Climbing ropes are the most important safety element when practicing mountaineering, since it is precisely this that prevents you from falling to the ground in case of making a bad move. Due to its relevance, it is possible to find a wide variety of models on the market, which could complicate the choice. Therefore, we will only mention the most relevant products, such as Edelrid On Sight, which is 9.8 mm in diameter and has a braided design with thermal technology to guarantee the resistance of its structure. Another option is the Tendon Smart Lite rope, which withstands 7 standard falls according to the UIAA number. In addition, it is available in different colors to choose according to your need.
The 8 Best Climbing Ropes – Opinions 2022
Having a good quality climbing rope allows you to relax and focus on the next move when ascending and descending as it minimizes the chances of an accident. For this reason, it is important that you review this list with some of the best climbing ropes of 2022.
sport climbing rope
1. Edelrid On Sight Climbing Rope
It is a sport climbing rope that has Thermo Shield treatment, a stabilizing thermal process that favors the flexibility of the rope. At the same time, it allows the fibers to be held together to provide a compact and strong design, preventing the rope from shrinking or stiffening.
Also, it offers 9.8 mm diameter and has a strength of 8.8 kN. Also, it is important to note that its number of consecutive falls is 6, so this rope can provide a long service life.
For greater practicality, it has the 3D Lap Coil technique, which allows you to use the rope immediately after receiving the package without the need to uncoil. When it comes to length, it comes in a 30m presentation, enough to use for professional climbing.
If you need the best climbing rope of the moment, you will probably be interested in this model. Let’s review the positive and negative aspects of the rope before making the decision.
Pros
Type: It is a balanced sports rope that can be used professionally in different environments.
Technology: It has Thermo Shield technology, which increases the union of the threads to favor the resistance of the rope.
Certification: It offers Bluesign certification, which guarantees the manufacture of the rope using safe materials for the environment.
Cons
Flexibility: Although dynamic, the rope may not be flexible enough for certain demanding workouts.
80 meter climbing rope
2. Tendon Smart Lite Rope
It is an 80 meter climbing rope that can be used in different environments, be it sport climbing, alpine climbing and even in climbing centers in a controlled environment, which increases its versatility.
As far as its resistance is concerned, it has a UIAA fall number of 7, as well as a maximum impact force of 7.9 kN, so it is capable of providing great durability against pulls and friction. On the other hand, its weight is 64 g/m, so it is not too heavy to facilitate its transport along with your other climbing tools.
As if that were not enough, it comes in a green presentation that can be easily camouflaged in jungles, forests and natural environments, although it is also available in red to allow easy viewing from a distance depending on your needs.
Due to the variety of models available on the market, it is normal to wonder which is the best climbing rope. In this sense, we invite you to carefully review the characteristics of this model.
Pros
Strength: It has an impact force of 7.9 kN, which reduces the impact to the climber during the fall.
UIAA: It offers great resistance, since its UIAA standard number of falls is 7.
Weight: Its weight is only 64 g for each meter of rope, so it is a light product.
Cons
Thickness: As with other models, the thickness of the rope may increase with use, which could make it difficult to attach to the climbing hook.
70 meter climbing rope
3. Edelrid Parrot Climbing Rope
This 70 meter climbing rope is also available in 40, 50, 60 and 80 meter lengths. In this way, it is possible to choose the length that suits you according to the environment where you want to use it. Similarly, it offers a robust structure with 9.8 mm diameter.
In addition, it is a dynamic rope capable of absorbing a large amount of energy in the event of a fall. In this sense, it offers a standard number of falls of 7 and has a catch hit of 8 kN.
For greater resistance, it has been manufactured through a stabilizing thermal process, better known as Thermo Shield, a treatment that provides flexibility to favor greater control over the rope. As for the weight, it is a product of 62 grams per meter, so it is easy to move.
Many think that Edelrid is the best brand of climbing ropes, so if you are looking for a quality product, you should know the Parrot model. Let’s take a look at its pros and cons.
Pros
Versatility: It is a multi-purpose rope designed for different practices and environments, whether outdoors or indoors.
Resistance: It has Thermo Shield technology, which favors flexibility and durability.
Length: It is available in presentations with a length of 40 to 80 meters.
Cons
Colour: The color of the rope may vary depending on the manufacturer’s availability, which could be a disadvantage.
60 meter climbing rope
4. Petzl Contact 9.8mm Rope
It is a rope that can withstand a static stretch of 9% and has an impact force of 8.4 kN. Thanks to this, it softens the blows and offers a number of falls of 7 according to the UIAA. In this sense, it provides great resistance to abrasion and stretching.
It is important to mention that it is made of polyamide, also known as nylon, a material that provides thermal stability, mechanical damping and hardness, which favors a long useful life. Also, it has Everflex heat treatment, capable of unifying the threads to provide a more homogeneous rope.
In terms of length, it is a 60 meter climbing rope that is also available in 70 and 80 meter presentations for added versatility. As if that were not enough, you can get it in blue, green and turquoise, to choose the presentation that best suits your tastes.
The best climbing rope must offer an attractive design and high quality, as is the case with this model. Let’s get to know its main characteristics in depth.
Pros
Material: This rope is made of nylon, so it can provide thermal stability, toughness, strength and good mechanical damping.
Strength: It has an impact force of 8.4 kN to provide you with greater security.
Weight: Its weight per meter is only 60 g, so it is a light rope.
Cons
Center: The center of the rope is not marked, which could make it less practical when bending the rope.
30 meter climbing rope
5. Climbing Rope Enjohos
It is a 30 meter climbing rope with 8mm diameter, making it long and thin enough to use as an auxiliary rope, especially for rescues. Similarly, it is available in 10, 15 and 20 meters to choose according to your requirements.
In addition, the structure of this static rope is made of polypropylene, so that it offers great resistance to contact with water. Likewise, its core is made up of 13 fibers with three threads each. In this way, it provides a compact fabric and a smooth surface for a more comfortable hold.
For added functionality, it has two claw rings that allow you to hold the rope and make quick knots for ascending or descending. As if that were not enough, the tensile breaking force of this rope is 15 kN, so it can support a great weight.
If you need a climbing rope that does not cost too much money, you should know that this is one of the cheapest on the list. Let’s review its pros and cons.
Pros
Protection: It has two transparent retractable tubes that protect the ends of the rope for a longer life.
Rings: It has a pair of rings, suitable for holding the rope quickly and making ascent and descent knots.
Transport: Includes a yellow bag that allows you to store and transport the rope and rings comfortably.
Cons
Uses: It is an auxiliary rope for surface rescues, which is not indicated as the main climbing rope because it does not have elasticity.
Other products
6. Power Guidance Professional Climbing Rope
This climbing rope has a loop that allows easy tying at any anchor point, which favors practicality and gives you the possibility of making different types of knots. In addition, it is 38 mm thick, so it is very difficult to break.
Also, it has heat-shrink caps on the ends to prevent them from fraying during use, which provides a longer useful life. Importantly, it is not a high-altitude climbing rope, but it can be used in harsh environments, such as military training circuits and Ninja Warrior, where you must climb the rope using only your body’s ability.
On the other hand, you can get it in 8 different lengths from 3 to 12 m, so you can purchase the most convenient one according to your needs. As for its design, it offers a classic braided structure that provides optimal support.
If you are still wondering which climbing rope to buy, then this model could be of interest to you, as it is one of the most resistant on the list. Let’s see its pros and cons.
Pros
Diameter: It is a robust rope that is 38 mm thick, so it can withstand a large weight.
Protection: The ends have heat-shrink protection to prevent damage to the rope during use.
Knotted: Offers a spliced loop of knots for easy tying at different levels.
Cons
Impermeability: It is designed to be used indoors and in dry environments, since its structure does not provide great resistance against water.
7. Knowing Outdoor Climbing Rope
It is a multifunctional static rope, which can be used as an auxiliary element in hiking, camping, climbing, fishing, engineering, among other activities. It is important to mention that it is made of high-quality polyester, capable of preventing rotting to increase durability.
For greater functionality, the load of this rope is 250 kg, so it is safe enough to be used in the rescue of people. Also, you should know that it has 2 removable carabiners, designed to facilitate knotting, storage and transport of the rope, which increases practicality.
As for the dimensions, it offers 20 meters in length and has 8 mm in diameter. On the other hand, you can get it in two presentations of dark blue or bright orange, to choose between an easy-to-hide rope or one that can be seen from a distance according to your needs.
The best value for money climbing rope should not cost a lot of money and yet provide a long lifespan, as is the case with this model, which is one of the cheapest on the list. Let’s know its pros and cons.
Pros
Versatility: This rope is suitable for hiking, climbing, camping, digging, engineering, and more.
Carabiners: Includes two easy-to-use carabiners that can be opened and closed in 3 simple steps.
Capacity: It is capable of supporting 250 kg of weight, so it can provide great resistance.
Cons
Loops: This rope may get tangled up quite easily, which could make it less practical compared to other models.
8. Small Foot 10877 Playground Climbing Rope
It is a climbing rope for children with 5 small steps distributed along its length, designed mainly so that the little ones in the house can climb on it to ascend or swing easily and safely. In this sense, this rope is capable of supporting a maximum weight of 100 kg.
On the other hand, it offers great resistance to weathering, since it is made of synthetic plastic capable of withstanding contact with rain, which increases its useful life. In terms of size, it is 2 m long, enough for small children to play climbers.
For greater security, it has a metal ring at the top that allows you to easily hang the rope or tie a special knot to increase its protection capacity. As if that were not enough, the rope is gold and the rungs are green for added appeal.
If you have adventurous children and are looking for a climbing rope that is easy to use, then it is best to take a closer look at the most relevant positives and negatives of this rope.
Pros
Rungs: It has 5 steps to facilitate ascent and descent through the rope.
Security: It has a ring at the top to place the rope easily on different surfaces.
Resistance: It is made of resistant plastic, so it can resist bad weather.
Cons
Capacity: Supports a maximum of 100 kg of weight, so it is not indicated to be used by several children at the same time.
Climbing rope accessories
Climbing rope bag
Ultrasport 331500000676 Climbing Bag
It is a climbing rope bag made of 100% polyester, so it is non-absorbent, prevents the accumulation of dirt and provides resistance to external agents, thus offering a longer useful life.
Also, it is important to note that it can be completely unfolded to use as a base and incorporates a shoulder strap that facilitates transport. Capacity-wise, it’s roomy enough to hold 100-meter-long climbing ropes, adding to its versatility.
Shopping guide
The climbing rope is essential among the basic equipment of a climber. However, there are certain characteristics that we must take into account to select a product according to our needs. For this reason, we have compiled the most important information in this guide to buying the best climbing rope.
Guy
When we make a comparison of climbing ropes, we can see that there are different types, hence the importance of first defining the use that we are going to give the product. In this way, we can make a first classification between static and dynamic climbing ropes. The former can be used by climbers, but only as an auxiliary safety line, never as the main rope.
Although it is usually very resistant, as its name indicates, the static rope is rigid, so it does not have an elastic system to cushion falls. Therefore, it can produce a great impact on the climber’s body if it is used as the main element. In this sense, it is recommended for situations where it is necessary to pull a heavy object to move it. For example, it can be useful in rescues, but also to tow a car. In these cases, it can be a good and cheap solution at the same time.
On the other hand, both professional climbers and enthusiasts of this discipline need a dynamic rope, since it has a greater elongation capacity, which means that it is capable of stretching to absorb a large part of the impact in the event of a fall. In this sense, the more dynamic the rope, the lower the impact force. This is the type of item that should not be missing from a climber’s safety equipment.
There are other types of ropes that have various uses. One of the most common is the climbing rope, which is used in functional training gyms. These are not used for high-altitude climbing, but to improve the physical ability to climb the rope using only one’s own body. In this way, it is possible to activate several muscle groups at the same time. Also, there is a smaller version of this rope, which is common in playgrounds and allows children to swing and climb.
Certification
As it is a product to which we often entrust our own lives, some institutions have been responsible for ensuring the quality of climbing ropes worldwide. In this sense, we must mention the International Union of Mountaineering Associations, commonly known by its acronym UIAA. It is basically a federation in charge of representing climbing and mountaineering, which was recognized in 1995 by the International Olympic Committee.
One of the main functions of the UIAA has to do with the safety of climbing teams. This is why it is of great importance that the rope you are going to buy has the UIAA label, as this guarantees good resistance and less shock force during falls. In this way, you can feel more confident when doing your favorite sport at different heights.
On the other hand, many of the climbing ropes manufactured in Europe have the UNE-EN standard, identified with the EN 1891 code, in the case of static ropes, while dynamic ropes have the EN 892 label. In other words, this it means that the product complies with the guidelines created by the corresponding Spanish organizations. In fact, some of the most outstanding ropes have double certification: UIAA at the international level and CE-EN for the European Community in particular.
number of falls
This is a feature that every professional climber considers when purchasing a new rope and can influence how much the product costs. It refers to the maximum number of consecutive falls that the rope can withstand at a very high fall factor. Therefore, it is a controlled test that manufacturers carry out in specialized laboratories.
For example, a number of falls 5 does not necessarily mean that at the sixth fall the rope will break, but rather that it has withstood 5 falls in a row under special conditions. In general, climbers do not suffer this type of falls in their training and, above all, they do not suffer them consecutively as it happens in the tests. However, this information can be decisive when selecting a rope, since it guarantees the resistance of the product.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to store a climbing rope?
One of the most practical ways to store a climbing rope is by using a bag specially designed for this purpose. First of all, this allows it to be protected from dust and other agents that can affect the tissues, but it also makes it easier to move from one place to another. However, it is worth remembering that, as a general rule, it is recommended to store the rope in a cool and dry place for greater protection of the material.
Another advantage of bag storage is that it allows the rope to be stored without the need to coil it, which makes the job easier. In addition, this prevents the curls that appear in the rope when it is wound for a long period of time. Therefore, it increases the useful life of it.
Q2: How to cut a climbing rope?
Cutting a climbing rope seems like an easy task. However, the problem is usually that, after a short time of use, the fabric begins to give way, so that the end of the rope becomes less and less practical. For this reason, it is best to use a hot blade. For this you just have to heat the metal until it is red hot. When cutting, the core and sheath are compacted into a single material.
This applies to polyamide, but in the case of aramid, due to its resistance to heat, it is necessary to use a special glue for ropes. In this case, it is only necessary to cut the end of the rope with a non-heated blade and then apply the product to the end so that the sheath and the core are joined and the rope does not fray.
Q3: How to wash a climbing rope?
Despite its great strength to weight, climbing rope can be very susceptible to abrasive detergents. For this reason, it is important to use the right product so as not to damage the composition of the rope, as this could considerably reduce its useful life. There are special soaps for ropes, but neutral liquid soap for hands and the soap we use to wash dishes are also suitable.
Depending on the length of the rope, it is necessary to use a container where it can be completely submerged. You have to apply a proportional amount of soap so that the water is soapy enough and mix with your hands so that the rope is soaked with product. It is recommended to soak for a few minutes. In this way, you only have to remove the dirty water and rinse 2 or 3 times with clean water to remove the remains of dirt and soap.
It is important to note that the rope must be spread out in a place outdoors, but in the shade, and left for a few hours until it is completely dry; only then can it be used or stored.
Q4: How to wind a climbing rope?
There are many methods of winding climbing rope, but the most important thing is not to imitate the way the manufacturers do it, as this is for the purpose of moving the product, but it tends to create many loops and knots, so it is not practical for the climber. Generally, only two loops spaced far enough apart to make unwinding easier is recommended.
Q5: How to unwind a climbing rope?
If the rope has been wound correctly, the first thing is to find the end that is tensioning the rope, to stretch a little and carefully release the other end that is being tensioned. This way, you should be able to uncoil the rope without too much trouble.
