The
best
ropes
for
indoor
&
outdoor
climbing:
A
Guide

07/2024

A climber wearing Mammut gear, standing in front of a rocky cliff, drapes orange climbing ropes over his shoulders while looking down.

To make sure your safety won’t be hanging by a literal thread when scaling boulders and walls, it’s vital to know all about the different types of rope available – and how to use them. Depending on your favorite climbing activity, some ropes will be better suited for your needs than others. In this handy guide, we’ll tell you what you need to watch out for when buying a climbing rope.

Climbing ropes are generally divided into two categories: dynamic ropes and static ropes. Dynamic ropes have a give of 4,5-9 %. In case of a fall, they can extend their length by up to 32 %, thus absorbing the power of the fall, and ensuring a much softer fallback into the rope. Static ropes on the other hand barely stretch at all, which makes them the perfect choice for abseiling during a rescue, transporting equipment or – like Mammut’s hyperstatic accessory rope ↗ – for glacier tours. Static ropes should never be used for belaying when lead climbing because a) they’re not designed for it, and b) haven’t been tried and tested for it. Always choose a dynamic rope for belaying.

Types of climbing ropes

Every single climbing rope is made up of a core and a shell, which both protect the rope and increase its load-bearing capacity. Apart from this common denominator, different types of climbing ropes vary quite a bit as far as composition and characteristics go. When looking for a climbing rope, you’ll quickly stumble across fancy words like single rope, half rope or twin rope. To help you navigate the great jungle of climbing terminology with confidence, here’s a round-up of the key features of each type of rope:

  • Single ropes: Single ropes ↗ are the most frequently used type of rope because of their load-bearing capacity and durability. They’re usually used for climbing and belaying when – you guessed it – single-rope climbing, and are a particularly practical choice. They’re available in a wide range of lengths and different diameters, a diameter of 8,7 mm to 10,2 mm generally being considered the ideal thickness. As a rule, they tend to be thicker and heavier than half or twin ropes. Single ropes are particularly great for indoor and outdoor sports climbing, and made for linear routes with no traverses. Single ropes are best used in combination with semi-automatic belay devices with an integrated brake insert, like the Mammut Smart 2.0 ↗. Because they are super intuitive and easy to use, they are a particularly popular choice for first-time climbers and beginners. Single ropes can be identified by the “1” shown on the banderole.

  • Half ropes: Half ropes ↗ are thinner than single ropes and used for lead climbing, which requires two ropes. The person leading the group is secured with two ropes, so two other people can be secured with one rope each. Using half ropes requires a bit more skill and effort compared to single ropes. Half ropes usually have a diameter of 7,5 mm to 9 mm. Technically, that makes them more lightweight than single ropes, but because you have to use two of them, their total weight combined is actually higher. Half ropes are perfect for routes with many twists and turns, as they reduce the pull on the rope. Another benefit: When multi-pitch climbing, you can utilize the full length of the rope, which is not possible with a single rope. At the same time, the second rope also serves as an extra safety feature in case one of the ropes breaks. Half ropes are marked with the symbol “½” on the banderole.

  • Twin ropes: Twin ropes ↗ are the thinnest type of climbing rope, measuring 7,5 mm to 9 mm in diameter. Like half ropes, they’re used for lead climbing, with one significant difference: both ropes need to be clipped in at the same intermediate belay point. By itself, a twin rope is not strong enough to stop a fall, meaning you can only secure one other person climbing up behind you. So twin ropes essentially combine the best of both worlds: They’re as easy to use as a single rope, yet offer the extra amount of safety you get when using two ropes. They can be identified by the infinity symbol, a sideways figure 8.

  • Double and triple ropes: Half ropes and twin ropes are often collectively referred to as double ropes. All Mammut twin ropes are also certified for use as half rope and vice versa, meaning you can use both for each type of belaying technique. However, stay clear of mix-and-match set-ups: You should only ever use identical types of climbing ropes in terms of length, diameter, and brand. By the way: At Mammut, you’ll also find triple certified climbing ropes, which are even more versatile in their application, and can be used both as single and double rope. Double and triple ropes work best when used with a tuber belay device like the Mammut Nordwand Alpine Belay ↗.

What size of climbing rope do I need?

When buying a climbing rope, length and diameter are the key criteria, as they both determine the overall weight of your rope. The weight is usually shown in grams per meter (g/m) to make it easier to directly compare ropes with different lengths. Knowing the length and weight per meter allows you to calculate the total weight of the rope.

Length

The right length for your climbing rope mostly depends on the climbing routes you’re planning to take. A single rope should be at least twice as long as the total length of your route. So if your chosen route is 25 meters, your rope needs to be at least 50 meters long. Obviously climbing routes are not always linear, so it’s best to factor in a bit of leeway for traverses. When indoor sports climbing, you generally don’t need as much length as you would in the wild, so a rope measuring 40 to 50 meters is usually fine. When conquering the great outdoors, there’s one simple rule: “The sky’s the limit”. Accordingly, routes will be a lot longer as a general rule. Before choosing a rope, it’s best to find out how long the most common routes in your area are. If you’re just getting into outdoor climbing and don’t feel up for longer routes just yet, a single rope with a length of 70 meters is a good place to start.

Half and twin ropes can be a little shorter than single ropes because you’ve got two ropes that allow you to cover twice the distance when abseiling. All you need to do is tie the end of the ropes together. With two ropes measuring 60 meters each, you can also cover 120 meters when abseiling – an especially handy feature for multi-pitch climbing and longer alpine routes.

Diameter

The diameter depends on whether you’re using single, half or twin ropes. For each type of rope, there are thinner and thicker variations, each with their individual benefits and drawbacks. Thinner ropes are generally much smoother to handle, and more lightweight – especially the latter can make a huge difference when you need to carry your rope for a significant amount of time. On the flipside, climbing ropes with a bigger diameter are more durable and sturdy, meaning they’re much more resistant to wear and tear while offering a much higher level of protection against sharp edges. Beginners are best off with ropes with a bigger diameter, as using thin ropes for belaying requires a certain level of experience and finesse.

Always make sure your rope is compatible with your belay device ↗, as some belay devices are only made for ropes with a specific diameter. If the rope is too thin, the brake mechanism may not function properly. Whereas if the rope is too thick, it may get stuck or not run properly through the device. So when you’re setting off on your big climbing adventure, make sure you’re using ropes and belay devices that are actually meant to go together.


Ropes_for_indoor_outdoor_climbing_image1
Mammut climbing ropes coiled on a black gear mat with a small patch featuring a carabiner and detailed climbing equipment labels.
Close-up of a person tying a knot in an orange Mammut climbing rope while wearing a harness.

Additional climbing rope features

Climbing ropes offer many handy features that can majorly improve your climbing experience.

Waterproof climbing ropes

Waterproof ropes are essential when climbing in rainy weather conditions, ice and snow. A wet or maybe even frozen rope is heavy and won’t be able to hold you securely anymore. For a UIAA Water-repellent climbing rope ↗ to be certified as such, it must not absorb more than 5 % of water in the space of 15 minutes, which is monitored and measured as part of the UIAA water absorption test. At Mammut, you’ll find plenty of climbing ropes with Dry finish which absorbed less than 1,5 %. As these ropes are particularly water-repellent, they are also very stain-resistant. If you’re exclusively climbing in indoor venues, safely out of reach of the elements, you don’t necessarily need a water-repellent rope. That being said, Mammut’s Dry ropes generally are a lot more hardwearing – making them an equally great choice when frequently used indoors.

Climbing ropes with middle marker

Easily identify the middle of a rope with middle markers: This allows you to quickly thread your rope before abseiling, as well as quickly measuring whether safe abseiling is possible when belaying your climbing buddy. The abrasion-resistant middle markings on our Mammut ropes are made to last – and will still be perfectly visible after many ascents and descents. If you want to give the markings a bit of a refresh after heavy use, we recommend using a permanent marker like the Edding 3000.

Climbing ropes with Sender construction

Our Sender construction for climbing ropes is a specialized technique exclusive to Mammut, which ensures maximum lightness and performance without compromising on quality and reliability. The clever use of materials combined with next-gen manufacturing techniques and smart design ensure these climbing ropes strike a perfect balance between feathery lightness, durability and ease of use. The key features are a narrow diameter which doesn’t compromise on strength, as well as premium fibers and a weaving technique which is ultra resistant to wear and tear, while at the same time requiring less materials during the manufacturing process..

Climbing ropes with Workhorse construction

If you’re going the full climbing distance all day every day, your rope should definitely be able to keep up. Sounds familiar? Then our Workhorse ropes are your best friend. These climbing ropes are the most robust type we’ve ever produced at Mammut. Because of their specially woven rope shell, they’re at a much lower risk of wear and tear – and extremely durable. They are designed for regular and frequent use, as well as  projecting and indoor climbing.

What type of rope for which climbing activity?

The type of climbing activity you’ve set your heart on will go a long way in deciding which rope you need, as they all require different equipment. All ropes from Mammut are optimized for three different types of use, meaning you’re guaranteed to find the perfect rope for your favorite sport. Here’s a breakdown of the key features to watch out for when choosing a rope for your discipline:

  • Indoor climbing: A single rope ↗ is the perfect choice for use in indoor venues and gyms. Since you usually don’t have to carry your rope very far, the weight of the rope isn’t as much of a factor. Instead, choose a rope with a bigger diameter to boost longevity. Usually a length of 40 meters is more than enough, while waterproof features are something you can safely forego. Mammut’s PFC-free classic ropes are the perfect allrounders, ensuring the best possible performance in dry conditions.

  • Crag climbing: Single ropes or triple-certified ropes are also suitable for sports climbing and trad climbing. Your rope should be robust enough to absorb even multiple falls. Depending on your preferred route length, the length of the rope should measure between 60 and 80 meters. For longer routes and redpoint climbing you should use a thinner, more lightweight rope.

  • Alpinism: Alpine ropes are designed to match all the requirements for use in the corresponding territory, from multi-pitch climbing to alpine climbing and mountaineering. Multi-pitch climbing sessions in dizzying heights can easily take several hours – that’s why a lightweight rope is vital, but it should still be strong enough to withstand sharp edges. Thin half ↗, twin ↗ or triple-certified ropes are ideal, as they offer enough flexibility on winding routes. Because those tend to be very long, you should opt for ropes measuring between 50 to 60 meters. For effective protection against snow and ice, proper impregnation ↗ is key: Our Alpine Core Protect Dry Rope ↗ features a particular cut-resistant aramite shell, making it an absolute must-have for alpine climbing.

Standard Fall: Requirements for climbing ropes

Quite a lot rides on a good climbing rope – first and foremost, your life. Literally. To make sure your safety isn’t completely down to pure luck, climbing ropes are extensively tested and judged based on various criteria. The requirements for dynamic mountain climbing activities are defined by standard EN-892 of the European Committee for Standardization. The so-called standard fall is part of this test. During the test, one end of the rope is fixed, before different fall scenarios are simulated to see how each rope behaves under different circumstances. By the way: These test falls are usually much more extreme than the real thing. The following criteria are key for certification:

  • Number of falls: This indicates how many falls the rope is able to sustain before it breaks. The higher the number of falls, the safer the rope. For single and half ropes, the golden number is no less than 5 falls. For twin ropes, it’s a minimum of 12.

  • Impact force: Impact force is a term to describe the forces a climber is exposed to when falling. By naturally extending, the rope can absorb some of that impact. The remaining power should not exceed 12 kilo Newton for single and twin ropes, 8 kilo Newton for half ropes.

  • Extension during the first fall: A new rope extends to its final length after the first fall – after that, the length won’t change anymore, even after subsequent falls. The maximum acceptable level of extension is 40 %. Anything higher is considered a high risk.

Find out more about the ins and outs of rope assessment in our article on how climbing ropes are tested and standardized ↗.

Jumpstart your adventure

Now that you know the key things to watch out for, you’re fully equipped to choose your perfect climbing rope. To store your rope, we recommend a rope bag ↗. Plus, check out our handy guide to caring for your rope ↗, including tips on how to correctly store and clean it. And of course you’ll find everything else you need to successfully master any route at Mammut. If you’re still trying to find your way around basic climbing equipment ↗, we’ve got all the information you need: From choosing the right clothes for bouldering and climbing to our dedicated guides to climbing pants, chalk and more.


Woman in Mammut climbing gear scaling a challenging rock face with a stunning mountainous landscape in the background.