How To Choose Climbing Ropes And Cords

There are a lot of different kinds of ropes and cords used in climbing, and they don’t all do the same thing. The differences are crucial because some of these ropes are depended upon for safety, and some are used as supplemental or support ropes. The most important and expensive one is the dynamic rope.

The thing that sets a dynamic rope apart is that it stretches out. In the event of a fall, you don’t want a static rope that will stop abruptly once it reaches its length. Misuse of a static rope can lead to serious injury, which is why a dynamic rope is crucial for rock climbing. Since it’s required to be able to hold your weight in the event of a fall, you don’t want a dynamic rope that isn’t tested and certified. In short, don’t buy a cheap one. Look out for the UIAA certification, which is given by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation.

Static ropes, which don’t have much give, are useful in many situations. They can be used for lowering gear, rappelling, or in rescue situations. Finally, there are things like accessory ropes, which can be used with guy-lines, to carry accessories, or to tie knots. There are a lot of applications for accessory ropes, as long as they’re not used as the rope that your entire body’s weight is dependent on. For dynamic ropes, it’s worth it to go straight to a trusted seller like REI. But there are a lot of affordable accessory cords on Amazon, and this list includes several light use cords for climbing, tree work, and general utility purposes.