climber holding climbing rope

Climbing Ropes Buying Guide

Choosing the right climbing rope

Climbing rope options

Choosing a climbing rope length

Technical guide

Technical specs explained

Final thoughts

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Choosing the right climbing rope

Your rope is your lifeline. Pick the right one and it makes climbing smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. Pick the wrong one and you’ll fight drag, weight, or limits on the routes you can tackle. This guide breaks it down, so you can choose the rope that matches your climbing style, terrain, and goals.

Climbing rope options

Image of Single ropes (8.7–11mm)

Single ropes (8.7–11mm)

Used alone. Best for sport, indoor, and straight trad climbs. Thicker = more durable, easier to belay. Thinner = lighter, less drag, but trickier to handle.

Image of Half double ropes (7.5–9mm)

Half double ropes (7.5–9mm)

Used in pairs, clipped separately to reduce drag on wandering routes. Great for trad, alpine, and long abseils.

Image of Twin ropes (<8mm)

Twin ropes (<8mm)

Used in pairs, clipped together. Lighter than halves, good for long abseils, but rare in the UK.

Image of Confidence ropes

Confidence ropes

Thin, for leaders short-roping nervous walkers. Not for climbing.

Image of Triple rated ropes

Triple rated ropes

Work as single, half, or twin. Versatile and lightweight, but less durable.

Dry treatment on ropes

Essential for winter and alpine climbs. The best options treat both the core and sheath for full water resistance.

Choosing a climbing rope length

Image of Indoor

Indoor

30–40m.

Image of Sport

Sport

50m minimum. 60m covers most climbs. 70–80m for big pitches.

Image of Trad

Trad

50m halves save weight. 60m gives longer abseils and more belay options.

Technical guide

Technical specs of climbing ropes

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Technical specs explained

Image of Fall factor

Fall factor

Measures how hard a fall is: distance fallen ÷ rope length between you and belay.

Image of Impact force

Impact force

The jolt you feel when the rope catches a fall. Lower = softer, safer catch. Tested in labs:

Image of Number of falls

Number of falls

Shows rope lifespan. Higher numbers mean the rope can handle more big falls before losing performance.

Image of Sheath %

Sheath %

Ropes have a strong core wrapped in a protective sheath. More sheath = tougher and longer lasting. Less sheath = more dynamic stretch.

Image of Weight per metre

Weight per metre

Thin ropes are lighter and reduce drag, making hard climbs easier. Trade-off: shorter lifespan than thicker ropes.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right rope can feel tricky, but getting hands-on advice makes it easier. If you’re unsure, visit your closest store —try ropes, ask questions, and get expert guidance. Feeling the rope in your hands helps you understand weight, stretch, and handling before you commit.

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