A basic climbing gear list typically includes a pair of climbing shoes, harness, and chalk. While sufficient for bouldering or top-roping in any gym, you must invest in a personal climbing rope to lead or take your adventures outdoors. Of course, like any other retail item in the twenty-first century, there are multiple options to sort through. While it is exciting to shop the options, navigating the choices can feel complicated with terms like ‘static,’ ‘dry-rope,’ or ‘9.5mm’ crowding product descriptions. But fear not, this variety is what makes the world of climbing ropes so fascinating and diverse. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the technical terms associated with climbing ropes, don’t worry-you’re not alone. However, understanding this jargon is not just important, it’s empowering. It allows you to make an informed decision and take control of your climbing journey, ensuring you choose the right rope for your needs. 

Climbing Rope Technical Jargon

  • Rope Type. Different types of ropes are used in different climbing scenarios. In your search for a rope, you will want to look for a dynamic and likely a single rope. 
  • Static: A stiff rope with no stretch when a climber falls. You cannot use a static rope for lead climbing. The main uses are hauling loads or ascending/descending along the rope (not climbing the wall). 
  • Dynamic: When a climber falls, the rope temporarily elongates to reduce the impact on climbers and gear. Rope elongation is the amount the rope stretches when a load is applied to it. All ropes used for climbing need to be dynamic, meaning they have a certain amount of stretch to absorb the energy of a fall and reduce the impact on the climber and the gear.
    • Single: A classic, thick rope suitable for indoor/outdoor top rope, lead, and easy trad. A single rope will have a ‘1’ marked on the end, indicating that it’s designed to be used alone without needing a second rope. Single ropes are most likely the rope you will be looking to buy. 
    • Twin: Paired ropes that the climber must attach to the same pieces of gear as they ascend. They are designed for ice and mixed climbing, where the climber needs the extra security of a second rope. For example, when climbing a frozen waterfall, a twin rope system can provide a backup in case one rope gets damaged. 
    • Half (Double): A pair of ropes designed for trad climbers to reduce rope drag. Rope drag is the friction that occurs when the rope rubs against the rock as the climber moves. The climber must use the ropes simultaneously but can clip each rope into different gear lines, reducing the amount of drag and making the climb smoother. 
  • Rope Features. The most common rope features are dry treatments and Bi-color/middle markings.
    • Dry: A treatment applied to the rope to make it water-resistant. Water resistance is a material’s ability to resist water penetration. The treatment also improves glide and reduces the friction of rope through gear. That is an important feature to consider if you’ll use the rope for outdoor climbing, especially in wet or snowy conditions where a soaked rope can freeze and become less safe. 
    • Bi-Color and Middle Markings: These features help you manage your rope. Bi-color ropes change color or pattern at the halfway point, while middle markings, usually black or in a different colored band, provide a visual reference, making it easier for you to plan your climb.
  • Rope Dimensions. When choosing a rope, you’ll want to consider its thickness and length.
    • Thickness: Ranging from 9.0 – 10.2mm, the thickness of the rope will impact its weight and durability. While thinner ropes may be lighter, they will wear down faster. 9.4 – 9.6mm options are the most popular (you’ll see many 9.5mm options). 9.7mm and greater are thick, durable ropes often tagged as ‘workhorses.’ A ‘workhorse’ rope is a term used to describe a strong, durable rope that can withstand a lot of use and abuse, making it a reliable choice for climbers who frequently climb or climb in challenging conditions.
  • Length: Climbing ropes are available in various lengths, each suited for different climbing scenarios. Ropes measuring 35 to 50 meters are ideal for indoor climbing, although gyms may have minimum length requirements based on wall height. For outdoor climbing, ropes of 60 meters and greater are recommended, with the minimum length required dependent upon the specific climbing location. Always check the guidebook for the height of the climbs you’ll be hoping on. That is important because you need a long rope to reach the top of the climb, with some extra length for tying knots and other safety measures. 
  • Safety Ratings
    • International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA): Safety ratings are not just important. They are your assurance of the quality and safety of your gear. UIAA has set the safety standards for climbing gear since the 1960s. You want to ensure the rope you buy has the listed static elongation, dynamic elongation, impact force, and UIAA fall specifics. UIAA only has standards for dynamic ropes. The fall rating is the number of falls the rope could handle under an intense impact fall with an 80kg weight. The impact force is a measurement recorded during fall testing, and a lower score indicates a lower impact on you if you fall. The static elongation is the percent stretch in the rope with an 80kg weight hanging, and dynamic elongation is the percent stretch after the first fall test. These ratings are designed to keep you safe and confident in your gear. 

Now that we’ve covered the technical terms let’s look at popular climbing rope options. These recommendations are all single, dynamic ropes, perfect for indoor or outdoor sport climbing (top-roping or leading). This list should give you a good starting point for your research and help you understand the range of products available. 

  1. Mammut 9.5 Crag Classic 
    1. 50 m or 60 m for indoor climbing
    2. 70 m or 80 m for outdoor climbing
  2. Sterling Velocity 9.8 Xeros Rope
    1. 40 m or 50 m for indoor climbing
    2. 60+ m for outdoor climbing
  3. Mammut 9.5 Crag We Care Classic Rope
    1. 40 m or 50 m for indoor climbing
    2. 60+ m for outdoor climbing
  4. Petzel ARIAL® 9.5 mm
    1. 60 m for indoor climbing 
    2. 70 m or 80 m for outdoor climbing 
  5. Edelrid Boa 9.8 
    1. 40 m for indoor climbing
    2. 60 m or 70 m for outdoor climbing

Finding the perfect climbing rope for your goals and budget may take some research, but this article has given you an idea of where to start your search. Before getting lost in the jumble of technical terms and specifications accompanying each rope, remember that ensuring your safety is paramount when choosing a climbing rope. You’ll want to find a dynamic rope with a length suitable for the height of the walls you’ll climb (ask your gym or consult a guidebook). Thinner ropes are less durable, while thicker ropes can act as workhorses, withstanding more intense falls. Finally, ensure it’s a UIAA-tested rope.

With the basics covered, happy shopping! If you find or have a climbing rope you love, consider sharing the details in the comments!