What Is Climbing Rope Made Of?

Climbing rope is usually made of nylon and consists of two parts: a sheath and a core. This type of rope is referred to as kernmantle. There are two major categories of kernmantle rope, one having very little stretch and the other having up to 10 percent stretch, depending on the braiding process.

  1. Today's Climbing Rope

    • Ropes used for climbing are primarily made of nylon, although polyester can be used as well. Nylon replaced manila and hemp in the 60s, as it was lighter, much stronger and capable of absorbing greater force. Climbing ropes today can hold up to 5,000 lbs. and absorb the force of a falling climber, preventing possible injuries.

    Construction of Modern Rope

    • Modern climbing rope is known as kernmantle. This refers to the way it is constructed, with an inner core and an outer sheath. The core is the strong, force-absorbing part of the rope. It is made of fibers that are braided into strands, which are in turn braided into larger stands. The sheath is a woven cover that protects the core. It is abrasion-resistant and has a fine weave to keep dirt and sharp particles out. The sheath can also be treated so that it is water or heat-resistant, and some ropes for marine use even have a buoyant sheath so the rope will float.

    Two Types of Kernmantle Rope

    • There are many types of kernmantle rope for specific disciplines and applications. Recreational climbing, industrial rope access, fire and rescue, and boating all demand different characteristics from ropes. However, all kernmantle rope will conform to the same basic construction, and will fall into one of two major categories.

    Static Rope

    • The first type is called static. These ropes stretch very little, and are used for rappelling, rigging, rescues, hauling and even climbing the rope itself. It is ideal for situations where the rope will suspend the load continuously.

    Dynamic Rope

    • The second type is called dynamic. This type of rope will stretch up to 10 percent of its length and absorb quite a bit of force. Dynamic ropes are used in situations where a climber or worker might fall. The stretching of the rope will stop the fall slowly and cushion the impact, similar to how a trampoline would cushion a fall and a sidewalk would not.

    The Difference Between Static and Dynamic

    • Both static and dynamic rope are made from the same material and have similar construction. In fact, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference just by looking. The only difference is that in static ropes, the core is braided under tension, and in dynamic ropes the core is left relatively loose.