To be a good climber, you need to understand everything that comes with it, even the dangers, that come with it, and prepare yourself correctly. Sure, knowing the safety precautions is excellent and well needed, but getting them with equipment and how to properly use it is just as important to ensure your safety! Nowadays, there are a lot of options on the market, of all different kidneys, brands, shapes, and sizes, it’s hard to choose the right one, or is it? Here are some qualities to look for when buying a climbing rope!
Types of ropes
It’s important to know that there is no one universal type of climbing rope! Once you realize that you have a plethora of different climbing rope types, it can get a bit confusing as to what type you want to get! Obviously, it depends on if you want to go climbing on the inside or in the outside and depending on your stature. There are different thicknesses and sizes you can choose from, but it’s suggested to stick with the thickest, strongest one just in case!
Static vs. dynamic rope
Mainly, when choosing a type of climbing rope to use, it’s better to opt for a dynamic one, as it’s the overall good pick! Just like the name says they are perfect for dynamic falls, as they are elastic and can endure such a thing, While static climbing ropes should be avoided at times, as they don’t stretch when put under pressure – not good for safe falling! Fintys.com breaks down each type of rope while explaining the pros and cons, so you’ll understand the difference when you read their article to get more info. So make sure you know what type of climbing you are interested in before you pick the rope!
Shielding
Depending on what type of climbing you want to partake in, regardless if it’s inside or outside, and especially if you plan on climbing locations with different weather conditions you need to see what type of shielding exists! Probably the most common one is the waterproof climbing rope, that one is pretty versatile so you can use it wherever, but it’s good to have just in case of touching wet or icy surfaces! There are other shields as well, like a thermal and toughening shield that brings it all together and adds another safety layer, always a good thing to look out for!
The material and durability
To say that climbing is a safe activity wouldn’t be entirely true, but you can sure make it safe by getting a durable rope to use! Depending on your age, size, and weight, it all depends on what kind of rope you want to get – preferably one for professional use! This is vital in preventing any injuries and possible fatalities along the way! You want to get a climbing rope that is meant for that purpose, and is made from high-quality materials, even if it means spending a bit more on it, it’s worth knowing that it can save your life!
Only buy from professional brands
There is a reason why some brands are more well known and popular than others, they produce high-quality, professional gear! If you choose to buy something as important as a climbing rope, you want to make sure that it comes from a well-known, experienced company that specializes in that type of activity! This way, you can already scratch the quality off of your list, and pick the rope by its size and length, preferably by asking the trained employees for their opinions! Remember, professionals know best, it’s literally their job!
Keep an eye on the ratings
A great tip you can use in your hunt for the best climbing rope is to take a look at the reviews, this way you’ll be certain if the rope is satisfying or not. Customers would not shy away to disclose their displeasing experiences or potential accidents caused by the faultiness of the rope in question. A long history of satisfied customers paints a good picture of what to expect while using them, proven quality is a good sign! So before you jump into your purchase, make sure you do a lot of research and see what other, experienced climbers feel about that particular model!
At the end of the day, choosing the right climbing rope is an essential thing that should be taken seriously! This can affect your climbing experience a lot, by making it safer, or in other instances more dangerous. So to prevent any type of injury or mishap in your climbing adventure, you need to equip yourself with only the best, as it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if it means investing a bit more money, that same quality can save your life!