7 Best Climbing Ropes

Rilor Staff
Update: October 9, 2021
Table of Contents

The best climbing ropes are essential for hikers, climbers, and rescue workers. With these ropes, they will be able to make multiple climbing techniques, as well as other applications such as hauling of luggage and lowering of injured people. Because of the gravity of their importance, these climbing ropes are already designed to be application-specific. This means that not all ropes can be used in different situations. 

But of course, the essentials still remain. For a climbing rope to serve your needs, it should be durable, resistant to the elements, and properly sized to your expected needs. 

With these matters in mind, I have listed down some of the best climbing ropes that you can use today. Check the list below and assess if one or two of the ropes can help you in your ascents or descents. 

7 Best Climbing Ropes

 Type DiameterLength
Black Diamond Non-Dry Rope Single rope9mm60 meters/70 meters
Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8mm Non-Dry Rope Single rope9.8mm60 meters
Sterling VR9 9.8mm Dry-Core Rope Single rope9.8mm40 meters/60 meters
Sterling Duetto DryXP Rope Half rope8.4mm30 meters
Mammut Crag Sender Dry Rope Single rope, half rope, twin rope 9mm70 meters
Beal Joker Unicore Dry RopeSingle rope, half rope, twin rope 9.1mm60 meters/70 meters
EDELWEISS Discover Dry Rope Twin rope8mm30 meters

1. Black Diamond Non-Dry Rope

PRODUCT LINK

One of the most reliable single ropes out there is the Black Diamond 9.9. It is an excellent rope to bring during rock climbing expeditions. It can withstand constant use, thanks to its durable construction. It has a thick diameter that enables it to withstand heavy loads and strains. At the same time, the rope has been tailored so that users would be able to use it as conveniently as possible. 

Specifically, the rope has been crafted through a 2x2 weave construction so that it can serve you in various climbing applications. Moreover, the rope includes a middle marker, which helps in its easier navigation. Overall, you can guarantee that this unit can easily hold up against constant use and abuse. You can knot and belay it as quickly as possible. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Single rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.32 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.076
  • Rope per meter - 64 grams
  • Half marking - Available
  • Diameter - 9mm
  • Length - 60 meters/70 meters

2. Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8mm Non-Dry Rope

PRODUCT LINK

The Edelrid Boa Eco is a rugged, all-rounder rope. It is weaved from leftover yarns from production, making it a sustainable option for climbers. Moreover, such a construction guarantees that no Edelrid Boa Eco is the same in appearance. This unit features Thermo Shield treatment, which is a form of dry treatment technology. It employed a heat process to stabilize the yarns and make them work as one. As a result, the rope remains supple throughout its lifespan.

This climbing rope also flaunts its Kernmantle design. The latter is a stretchy but rugged core that is shielded by an outer sheath. It enabled the rope to attain additional strength without compromising its quality handling. The performance of this rope has met the standards of the UIAA for elongation, impact force, and falls. You are safe with this rope as long as you use it properly. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Single rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.32 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.093
  • Rope per meter - 62 grams
  • Half marking - Available
  • Diameter - 9.8mm
  • Length - 60 meters

3. Sterling VR9 9.8mm Dry-Core Rope

PRODUCT LINK

The Sterling VR9 9.8mm Dry-Core Rope is ideal for starters who want to have a reliable climbing rope for their outdoor or indoor expeditions. It is a lightweight rope designed to tackle different multi-pitch routes. It has a Dry-Core treatment that provides it with sufficient defense against the elements. Even if it gets exposed to water and dirt, its suppleness will never be affected. Like the previous rope, this one has a Kernmantle core covered by a rugged outer sheath so that it can exude strength and user-friendly handling. 

There's also a middle marker present on the rope that easily tells you where its center is. It is a useful feature so that you can lower climbers and rappel as safely as possible. Of course, this rope exceeds the UIAA standards for elongation, impact force, and falls. Even its entry-level construction guarantees that you can reach your destination with sufficient security and reliability. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Single rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.26 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.086
  • Rope per meter - 62 grams
  • Half marking - Available
  • Diameter - 9.8mm
  • Length - 40 meters/60 meters

4. Sterling Duetto DryXP Rope

PRODUCT LINK

If you are looking for a half rope, then you should check out the Sterling Duetto. This one is meticulously crafted for ice climbing, multi-pitch route climbing, and wandering. It is easy to handle without giving you excessive drag. The rope features an 8.4mm diameter and a length of around 30 meters. These specifications enable the rope to streamline its weight so that you can easily haul it on steep crags, big walls, and mountains. 

Interestingly, the Sterling Duetto has core and sheath treatments. As a result, you can guarantee that the rope is impervious to dirt, water, and other elements that can deteriorate its architecture. Aside from that, there's also a proprietary DryXP treatment on the rope so that it can repel water; it has an absorption rate of less than 5 percent.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Half rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.316 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.11
  • Rope per meter - 45 grams
  • Half marking - Available
  • Diameter - 8.4mm
  • Length - 30 meters

5. Mammut Crag Sender Dry Rope

PRODUCT LINK

With its high-performance technology, the Mammut Crag Sender Dry Rope is an exceptional tool for rock climbers. It boasts extreme durability without burdening you with its weight. This one strikes the perfect balance between handling and durability so that weekend warriors and regular climbers can benefit from it. It has a length of 70 meters, which lets you use it for rappelling on technical routes and high leads. 

Moreover, the Mammut Crag Sender Dry Rope has a dry treatment that complies with the UIAA standards for water repellency. Specifically, the rope has water absorption of only 1.5 percent of its weight--even if its surface experiences abrasion. Because of this quality, you can expect that it retains its durability whenever you use it. There's also a special treatment on the rope to increase the strength of its nylon fibers. As a result, it gained added abrasion resistance. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Single rope, half rope, twin rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.31 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.0786
  • Rope per meter - 54 grams
  • Half marking - None
  • Diameter - 9mm
  • Length - 70 meters

6. Beal Joker Unicore Dry Rope

PRODUCT LINK

You should also check the Beal Joker Unicore Dry Rope, especially if you want a versatile climbing rope. In fact, this rope has been a favorite choice for regular big wall and multi-pitch climbers because of its multi-purpose capabilities. It can be used on face and ridge routes. You can also utilize it in terrains where snow and ice dominate. The rope has the proprietary UNICORE technology, which features the permanent bonding of its core and sheath. In this way, the rope will never be susceptible to slippages. 

Of course, the Beal Joker Unicore Dry Rope is abrasion-resistant and meets the UIAA certification for its water-repellent quality. The Golden Dry treatment applied on its core and sheath also improved the durability of the rope for performance climbing approaches such as ice, alpine, and trad climbing. If that's not enough, then you'll be satisfied with its ThermoFluid infrared treatment. The latter stabilizes the fibers of the sheath, making the latter more compact and easier to handle. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Single rope, half rope, twin rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.34 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.08
  • Rope per meter - 53 grams
  • Half marking - None
  • Diameter - 9.1mm
  • Length - 60 meters/70 meters

7. EDELWEISS Discover Dry Rope

PRODUCT LINK

The EDELWEISS Discover Dry Rope is a light option for a twin rope. It is tailored for traversing glaciers, conquering mountains, and even dealing with emergencies. It features a small diameter--only 8 millimeters--so that it can reduce its weight. With its dry finish construction, its surface easily resists abrasion and other forms of physical damages. Meanwhile, the proprietary Super Everdry treatment on its core and sheath fibers improves their defense against water absorption. 

Aside from the Super Everdry technology, the sheath fibers are also treated with Perdur coating. According to its manufacturer, it improved its abrasion resistance by up to 33 percent. Overall, the EDELWEISS Discover is known for its minimal rope drag and excellent handling. Avid climbing enthusiasts should be able to utilize it properly in various climbing techniques. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rope type - Twin rope
  • Rope dynamic elongation - 0.32 
  • Rope static elongation - 0.076
  • Rope per meter - 42 grams
  • Half marking - None
  • Diameter - 8mm
  • Length - 30 meters

A Guide In Choosing The Best Climbing Ropes

Here's a foolproof guide that can help you pick the ideal climbing rope. 

Type of Ropes

  • Single rope - A single rope is crafted to work on its own; it is not compatible with other ropes. It is available in varying lengths and diameters, making it useful for various climbing techniques, such as sport climbing, top-roping, and trad climbing. Keep in mind that they have hassle-free handling as compared to twin-rope or half-rope systems. There are single ropes that are classified as twin ropes and half ropes. 
  • Half rope - A half rope will require you to use two ropes. While you are climbing, you attach one of the ropes to the protection on the left and the other one on the right. If you can do this properly, you can utilize the rope for running straight or parallel. It is an efficient way to reduce drag whenever you are on wandering routes. You can also use half ropes on ice climbing, multi-pitch routes, and various mountaineering applications.
  • Twin rope - Similar to half ropes, twin ropes are suitable for mountaineering, multi-pitch routes, and ice climbing. These twin ropes are also using two ropes. Their primary difference from half ropes is that you need to clip both of their strands to the rope's protection. Because of this, twin ropes create more drag than half ropes so that you can use them non-wandering paths. They are also less thick than half ropes, which effectively reduce their weight and bulk. 
  • Static rope - A static rope, on the other hand, is ideal for caving and ascending fixed lines. It is also suitable for search and rescue operations and hauling items. Just as its name suggests, a static rope doesn't stretch. Hence, you shouldn't use it for lead climbing and top roping. 

UIAA Safety Ratings 

The UIAA, or the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme, is a global climbing and mountaineering organization. It has created various safety standards that all climbing ropes should comply with. If a climbing rope has passed the UIAA tests, you can guarantee that it is safe to use. 

Here are some of the UIAA labels that you need to pay attention to:

  • Fall rating - The UIAA fall rating indicates the number of falls that a climbing rope can handle before it suffers serious damage. Most laboratory-tested ropes are subjected to greater loads than usually falls in real-life climbing. Most single ropes are tested by dropping an 80-kilogram weight attached to them. Meanwhile, half ropes and twin ropes are tested via 55-kg (one strand) and 80-kg (two strands) drops, respectively. Both single and half ropes should be able to hold at least five falls under the UIAA standards. Twin ropes should withstand not less than 12 falls. 
  • Impact force - Rated in kilonewtons, the impact force of a climbing force is a piece of essential information that you need to check. Low impact force allows you to use a climbing rope for soft landings whenever you fall. However, it also comes with more stretch, which is not good when you are top-roping. 
  • Static elongation - This one is known as working elongation. It is a measurement that refers to the amount of stretch that a dynamic rope can do while loaded with an 80-kilogram weight. Single and twin ropes should have an elongation that should not surpass 10% of the overall length of the rope. Meanwhile, half ropes should never have a static elongation of more than 12%. 
  • Dynamic elongation - This particular label refers to the actual stretch distance of a rope after the first fall under the UIAA guidelines. With a higher elongation, you will get longer falls. Therefore, it is better to have a low dynamic elongation rope than a long one. But at the same time, always keep in mind that users are subjected to stronger impacts with minimal dynamic elongation. 

In Summary

The best climbing ropes are essential tools if you are dealing with multiple ascents and descents that you can no longer. With these ropes, you will be able to hurdle big walls and crags as safely and efficiently as possible. Always remember that not all climbing ropes are the same. Each of them has specified uses and applications. You should pick a rope that is suitable for your journey. And of course, don't forget to practice using them.

That's it for now. If you have inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.

Other readings you may enjoy
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram