We Tested 19 Climbing Ropes on Granite, Sandstone, and Ice. These 8 Earned Our Trust.
After months of abuse on granite, sandstone, and ice, these climbing ropes proved their worth pitch after pitch.
Climbing Ropes
Climbing Ropes
The main function of climbing ropes are to break the falls of climbers while making a small impact of force. It is important that ropes for climbing are dynamic, so they are able to stretch upon impact to avoid a sudden breakage. Choosing the right climbing rope can be daunting because of the several different choices in diameter and lengths. Other factors that differ between climbing ropes are weight, static elongation, dynamic elongation, and sheath. Read more about rope reviews, and general information about climbing ropes.
The main function of climbing ropes are to break the falls of climbers while making a small impact of force. It is important that ropes for climbing are dynamic, so they are able to stretch upon impact to avoid a sudden breakage. Choosing the right climbing rope can be daunting because of the several different choices in diameter and lengths. Other factors that differ between climbing ropes are weight, static elongation, dynamic elongation, and sheath. Read more about rope reviews, and general information about climbing ropes.
Is This the Safest Rope on the Market?
Mammut’s Alpine Core Protect Rope claims to be the most cut-resistant around. Here’s how it held up in the field.
Sponsored Content
First Look: The Latest Ultralight Bipattern Ropes from Edelweiss
High-tech coatings and innovative braiding techniques promise improved durability and softer catches
In Defense of the European Death Knot
Despite the grim nomenclature, the EDK is a safe and effective rappel knot. Here's why.
Your Complete Rope Care Guide
How to care for and extend the life of the most important piece of climbing equipment.
For Safety’s Sake Don’t Do This: Saw Through Someone Else’s Rope
An experienced climber makes the mistake of lowering over another team's rope.
How to Inspect Your Climbing Gear and When to Retire It
Check out Bennett Slavsky's author page.
10 Interesting Facts I Doubt You Know About Knots
Knots were also used for record keeping in ancient China, and the Chinese Book of Changes, almost 2,500 years old, associates knots with contract and agreement.
Used A Skinny Rope To Belay Kids—Bad Idea
Kids may be lighter than adults, but that doesn't mean you can skimp on safety thinking that your rig is "strong enough."
Your Complete Guide to Rock Climbing Ropes
Single? Double? Dry? Double dry? Here's everything you need to know before buying your next climbing rope.
Review: Will Black Diamond’s Ondra Edition 8.6 Dry Climbing Rope Make You Climb Like Ondra?
Probably not, but it does several other things quite well!
This Rope is Designed to Prevent Accidents
Review: Trango Agility 9.1 (70m)
Editors' Choice 2020: Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8mm (70m) Rope Review
Our picks for the best gear of 2020.
Gear Guide 2020: Fixe Hardware Roca 9.6 Siurana Endurance Rope Review
Our picks for the best gear of 2020.
Gear Guide 2020: Sterling Quest 9.6mm (70m) Rope Review
Our picks for the best gear of 2020.
Out on a Ledge: Tangled
Confronting the knotty issue of fixed ropes
Review: Edelrid Canary Pro Dry 8.6mm (70m)
Check out Kate Kelleghan's author page.
Editors' Choice 2019: Fixe/Roca 9.0 Monkey Endurance Climbing Rope Review
Our top climbing gear picks of 2019
Review: Sterling 9.2 mm Aero DryXP Rope (60m)
Check out Matt Samet's author page.
How Climbing Ropes Are Made
Check out The Editors's author page.
Arete Cuts Rope Resulting in Groundfall for Michele Caminati
Check out The Editors's author page.
Can a Drone Cut a Climbing Rope?
Check out The Editors's author page.
A Theoretically Perfect Climbing Rope
Check out Brendan Blanchard's author page.
Sponsor Content: Can Half Ropes Be Used as a Single or Twin Rope?
Ask A Technical Expert
Review: Our Top 5 Smart Climbing Ropes
Smart features increase performance and safety on these five cords
Review: Edelweiss Performance 9.2 Unicore
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Review: Edelrid Python TouchTec 10mm
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Review: Beal Tiger 10 Unicore
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Review: Mammut Sensor 10
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Review: Millet Opposite TRX 9/10
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
How to Tie a Figure Eight, Swedish Style
Check out The Editors's author page.
The Next-Level Climbing Rope Art of Mick Tresemer
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
Climbing Gear Guide 2015: Alpine
Check out The Editors's author page.
Gear Guide 2014: Alpine
Check out The Editors's author page.
Gear Guide 2014: Trad Climbing
Check out The Editors's author page.
Gear Guide 2014: Sport Climbing
Check out The Editors's author page.
Gear Guide 2014: Editors' Choice Awards
Check out The Editors's author page.
Our Top 4 Spring Gear Picks
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Your Lifeline: 5 New Ropes for Sending Season
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Know the Ropes: Prevent Lowering Accidents
Check out The Editors's author page.
Arc'teryx Haku Rope Bag
Check out The Editors's author page.
Edelrid Snipe 9.8mm
Check out The Editors's author page.
Beal Unicore Tiger 10mm
Check out The Editors's author page.
BlueWater Icon 9.1mm
Check out The Editors's author page.
Edelrid Micro Jul and Flycatcher
Check out The Editors's author page.
Metolius Rope Master HC
Check out The Editors's author page.
Extension Basics
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Wet-Rope Myths Debunked
Check out Alex Biale's author page.
The Rope Litter
Check out Bryan Simon's author page.
Two-Rope Rappels With One Chopped Cord
Check out Kelly Cordes's author page.
Chris Sharma Joins Sterling Rope's Team – Sends Jumbo Love on Sterling’s Nano 9.2mm
Check out The Editors's author page.
New England Ropes / Maxim Issues Recall Notice – Maxim Apogee 9.1MM and 9.5 Pinnacle Dynamic Climbing Lines
Check out Climbing Wall Association's author page.
Silent Communication
Check out Topher Donahue's author page.
TENDON – the new progressive brand of top climbing ropes
Check out The Editors's author page.
2012 Gear Guide: Ropes
Check out The Editors's author page.
Bluewater Ropes – Anchor Replacement Initiative
Check out The Editors's author page.
Chris Sharma on Ropes, Future of Climbing
Check out The Editors's author page.
2011 Gear Guide: Ropes
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
2011 Gear Guide Editors' Choice
Check out The Editors's author page.
Sterling Rope Factory Visit 2010
Check out The Editors's author page.
Supertopo Releases Yosemite Sport Climbs and Top Ropes
Check out The Editors's author page.
New and Notable: Millet 10mm Low Impact Triaxiale – 2010 Gear Guide
Check out The Editors's author page.
MILLET CRISTAL 9.8MM – 2009 Gear Guide
Check out The Editors's author page.
New England Ropes / Maxim Issues Recall Notice – Maxim Apogee 9.1MM and 9.5 Pinnacle Dynamic Climbing Lines
Check out Climbing Wall Association's author page.
New Climbing Rope Raises Funds for Ovarian Cancer Research
Check out The Editors's author page.
STERLING ROPE RECYCLING PROGRAM
Check out The Editors's author page.
TENDON – the new progressive brand of top climbing ropes
Check out The Editors's author page.
Skinny Rope Review – No 224 – September 2003
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Sterling Nitro Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Roca Minus Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
PMI Elite Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Maxim Whippet Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Mammut Infinity – Rope Review
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Edelweiss Laser Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Edelrid Livewire Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
BlueWater Dominator Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.
Beal Stinger Rope Review – No 224
Check out Matt Stanley's author page.