Rope, Cord, and Webbing

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

Light is right. A very versatile rope.

Recently I lost 30 or so pounds, so you may ask, “Why do you care what your rope weighs? Now you can carry more stuff easier.” The answer is, “Because I can.” Would Mallory have worn hobnailed boots and wool if he had been able to wear fleece and nylon? Of course not, light is right. My main workhorse climbing rope is a 10.2mm monster that is fantastic till I need to carry it. I saw that Beal was making a thin rope that works in single, half or twin configurations and is only 9.1 mm and happened to be on sale so what is a man to do?  Can you locate the middle mark?  9.1 is pretty thin and I was worried that it may not work in my belay device, but no worries, I use an ATC (I have all three styles) so I am good down to 8.0mm or so. ...

Read more: Beal Joker 9.1 mm review (1)

Featured review by Tommy G

Climbs well, lightweight at 61g / m, nice looking color (especially the bi-pattern), but sheath wears quickly.

Almost everything about this rope is great for backcountry climbing. Lightweight, easy to handle, good color. However, the sheath has worn faster than expected in a couple places, to the point where it is ready to be retired after only having been climbed on <50 times over two years. Fortunately the sheath wear is close to one end of the rope so I can trim ~10m off and still have a 60m rope, but that means that the bi-pattern will no longer mark the new middle point of the rope.

Read more: BlueWater Ropes 9.7mm Lightning Pro reviews (2)

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

After a year of weekend climbing I still like this rope.

I didn't expect a lot from a rope in this price range, yet I was pleasantly surprised.  The rope, after a year of weekend sport climbing during nice weather, shows very few signs of wear; one broken strand in the whole rope. I saw a lot of other climbers using this rope right after I bought it so evidently I was not the only one who jumped on the clearance deal at REI. It started out stiff and it has softened up in this time, but it will never be butter smooth and I am fine with that. When it was new it was a tad hard for my kids to feed into an ATC, but not excessively so.  I took a small (5-6 foot) leader fall and the rope stopped me very smoothly and I hardly felt any force at all.

Read more: Maxim Equinox 10.2mm review (1)

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

My new favorite rope for glacier travel.

ME: So, you carry the tent and stove and I'll carry the rope?" Partner who hasn't seen the rope yet: "That sounds fair." ME: *Smiles.  My rope is under 3 pounds I bought this rope for one reason; low-angle glacier travel on Mt. Rainier, Baker, etc. At 8mm this 30m rope won't work with many belay devices so TRY IT OUT WITH YOUR PRUSIKS AND BELAY DEVICES BEFORE YOU GO CLIMB! Caveat:  I am using this rope as a single rope even though it is ONLY rated as a twin. Currently this practice is EXTREMELY common and widely accepted even though, for legal reasons, you won't hear it talked about much.  The kind of people who learn mountaineering from books and overbooked seminars with popular clubs based in Seattle will call this irresponsible, but...

Read more: Edelweiss Discover 8 mm review (1)

Reviewed by Marty Middlebrook

Fantastic, lightweight and sturdy double ropes. Unlike others I have seen, these don't tangle or get "ringlets" and after 6 years they're not fuzzy. Very smooth through the belay device, these ropes are great for rappelling and easy retrieval as well as good handling while belaying.

Fantastic, lightweight and sturdy double ropes. Unlike others I have seen, these don't tangle or get "ringlets". Very smooth through the belay device, these ropes are great for rappelling and easy retrieval as well as good handling while belaying. If you're new to double ropes: they're great for multipitch climbing as well as climbs that require long descents (useful in Australia where a lot of climbs are out of ravines in the Blue Mountains or on Sea Cliffs); the climber ties into both ropes and the belayer belays both; then climber clips alternatively, which is great if you're packing it above your last pro; you can leave the rope tight and pull the slack up on the alternate; from a top belay you can belay two seconders simultaneously; [against...

Read more: Mammut Genesis Dry 8.5 review (1)

Reviewed by Tracker Clayton

I write this due to the abundance of so called paracord on the Web and in stores.

Okay, I'll assume we all have heard of paracord. Now real paracord has 7 internal strands which can be so so useful from gear repair to fishing to the limits of your imagination. 550 paracord should hold 550lbs also! We had emergency egress units where it was just a hook or carabiner a figure 8 and 550 cord we all had tactical belts that have the emergency loop where you can hook up too. It is some mighty handy stuff and a million ways to carry it such as replace your boot laces with it and anywhere that has lacing on your gear.

Read more: DIY: Paracord review (1)