Buying Guide For Rope Supplies

Buying your first rope supplies is always going to be an exciting endeavor. You’re also likely to be overwhelmed with the options that are available on the market. To be on the safe side, you’d want to make sure that you’re doing due diligence so that you’re not getting substandard products. If you intend to become an expert roper, you’ll want to find the right set of ropes that compliments your skills. There are a couple of considerations that you should be having in mind when buying a rope and we’re going to highlight some of them.

Types

There are different types of ropes in the market today. It all depends on the use. If you’re not really sure about the differences, you’ll want to play it safe by buying a dynamic rope. The reason why dynamic ropes come highly recommended is that they’re designed to function as springs.

Static ropes, on the other hand. are usually thicker and will not be easy to cut. It is not recommended to be used when there will be a possibility of falling on them from any height even if it is just a few meters. They’re mostly used in rescue situations, fixed lines, pulling someone’s car or for rappelling.

Single ropes will work best for rock climbing, top-roping, and sport. They’re usually cheaper and far less complicated than the majority of ropes that you will find in the market today. Double ropes tend to be thinner and are designed to be used as pairs. They tend to be more expensive than single ropes since you’ll have to buy them as two.

Length

To be on the safe side, it always recommended buying a long rope. This is particularly true if you’re not the one that is responsible for carrying the rope. If the rope is going to be used for climbing, it is crucial that it is not below 70 meters. Some people might tell you than 50 meters will be enough but this will not be true for alpine climbing.

When looking at the diameter, it will all water down to the weight and durability. If you’ll only be using it for top-roping, anything within the 10 mm range is going to be ideal. If you’re lead climbing you’ll want to look for something between 9.7 mm to 10. Mm.

Rope Supplies

Impact Force

Impact force is an important consideration, especially for climbing ropes. Lower impact rope will be the best for tad but the rope might stretch more which means you might have to replace it sooner than you think. You should look for ropes that are certified by the UIAA. This means that they’ve undergone a series of strenuous fall tests.

Feel

This is one of the most important factors that a lot of people will overlook when buying a rope yet is equally important. If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to look for a rope that is as soft as possible. This will make it easy to learn. The stiffer the rough, the harder it will be to get a grip. Make sure that you’re looking for extra soft when you’re out shopping. There are brands like Teufelberger which can be relied on if you’re looking for a variety.

Longevity

There has been an ongoing debate on how long ropes should last. In the rope industry, the four-stand ropes are seen as revolutionary when it comes to longevity. Basic common sense dictates that a rope that is smaller in diameter won’t last long compared to one that has a bigger diameter. The longevity of the rope will also depend on where you’re going and how often you will use the ropes. There are new technologies that are coming up offering solutions on longevity.

Material

The material used to make the rope is an important consideration that people will need to look at before making a purchasing decision. For team ropes, nylon is seen as an ideal choice because it can withstand extreme temperatures. Poly ropes are equally good because they don’t stretch as much and are affordable. The majority of ropes in the market will feature a combination of nylon/poly.

Conclusion

Buying a rope shouldn’t be that much of a challenge so long as you’re aware of what to look for. Since there are so many options in the market, you might find it hard to make the right decision. Make sure to do research depending on your needs. There will always be something ideal even if you have a modest budget.