Dropped $800 on a new climbing rope and it's been a total game changer

Honestly, I was using the same old rope for like 5 years and just figured it was fine. But last month I bit the bullet and got a new 150-foot static line from a good brand. The difference in handling and feel up in the canopy is night and day, way less bounce and easier to manage. But my buddy says I'm nuts and that his $300 rope does the exact same job. Has anyone else splurged on gear that you feel was totally worth it, or do you think the expensive stuff is overrated?

3 comments

3 Comments

susan_wright345d ago

What kind of climbing are you doing? For a static line, especially if you're working at height, that extra control and less bounce isn't just about feel, it's about safety and being less tired at the end of the day. Your buddy's cheap rope might hold, but the handling difference on a long pitch is real.

alex_wilson795d ago

Wait, you're using a fully static line for work positioning? That's a massive shock load risk.

michael_coleman105d ago

Hey Susan, you're totally right about handling and safety, but just to be clear, a true static line has almost zero stretch. That's different from a low-stretch rope which still has some give. For work positioning, you often want that tiny bit of give to soften falls, not a fully static line which can put huge force on you and your gear.