How to choose the best tree climbing rope
What is the best tree climbing rope? At WesSpur, we don't like to use the word 'best' when talking about arborist rope. Different ropes are better suited to certain climbing styles or uses in tree care. Tree climbers tend to have strong personal preferences as well. What works great for one climber, might not have the right feel for another.
There certain requirements any arborist climbing rope should meet. Once those standards are met, you can narrow your choices by considering what type of climbing you will do. Then make sure the rope you are looking at will match up with your prusiks, ascenders, and other tree climbing devices. Finally, personal preferences like color, feel, and price point will help you seal the deal.
Does the Rope meet the ANSI Z133 Standard?
The ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements are the accepted industry guidelines for arboricultural operations. This is what manufacturers and tree care professionals use to guide purchasing decisions.
What does the Z133 say about tree climbing ropes?
- Diameter: Ropes are required to have a minimum diameter of 12.7mm (1/2"). Exceptions are allowed for ropes as small as 11mm, as long as the climber has been trained in their use, they are intended for arboriculture, and they meet or exceed the standards for arborist climbing lines.
- Strength: Arborist climbing ropes must have a minimum strength of 5,400 lb (24.02 kN) without terminations when new. (Terminations like knots or splices may reduce the overall strength of the rope.)
- Rope Ends: Arborist climbing lines should be finished in a manner to prevent unravelling. Manufacturers normally tape and melt the rope ends. When cutting bulk rope, WesSpur will tape the ends.
At WesSpur, we like to add one more, even though it's not in the Z133 - arborist ropes should come from a trusted and experienced manufacturer. We have seen a lot of content on the internet (some written by AI) that give very questionable recommendations for tree climbing rope, often linking to no-name, cheap, imported ropes on Amazon that don't come close to meeting professional requirements.
All tree climbing ropes sold at WesSpur meet the ANSI Z133 standard.
We only stock ropes from trusted, experienced rope manufacturers who you can rely on. Your life literally depends on your climbing rope in the tree, so we only stock reliable ropes you can trust.
What type of tree climbing will you do?
The type of tree climbing you do will help you narrow down your rope choices based on rope construction. Rope Construction refers to how the fibers that make the climbing rope are bundled and braided at the factory.
There are four rope constructions for tree climbing rope sold at WesSpur:
If you are going to be doing a lot of very long ascents, and plan on using a ropewalker setup in a Stationary Rope System (SRS), you will want a low-stretch Kernmantle or 24-strand double-braid rope.
If you will be working in a Moving Rope System (MRS) using a friction saver, pulley saver, or other false crotch, 24-strand double-braid ropes are the most popular option. Some kernmantle ropes work well in MRS, and some users like a 16-strand climbing rope for MRS.
If you are planning on running your climbing rope directly over the tree limb in a Natural Crotch system, you will want a 16-strand rope for durability. Some traditional climbers will use a 12-strand rope in these cases.
Finally, many rope manufacturers have started making kernmantle and 24-strand ropes to be versatile for both SRS and MRS climbing.
Kernmantle Tree Climbing Ropes
Kernmantle Tree Climbing Ropes have a load-bearing core (Kern) under a very tightly-braided jacket (Mantle). The high strand count in the jacket gives these ropes excellent abrasion resistance and helps them stand up to the use of ascenders other tree climbing devices. Many kernmantles have very low stretch. This combination of characteristics makes them great canopy access lines for Stationary Rope Systems (SRS - formerly called "Single Rope Technique" or "SRT"). Kernmantle ropes tend to have a stiffer hand and this usually makes them poor for Moving Rope Systems (MRS). There are some exceptions that have been developed to work well in all types of tree climbing, both MRS and SRS.
Some 11mm kernmantle ropes are NFPA G=rated, for a 2 person load with a high Average Breaking Strength (ABS) around 9,000-10,000 lb. These ropes are ideal for Aerial Rescue.
Kernmantle ropes are generally not hand-spliceable. That doesn't mean you can't have an eye installed for your carabiner! Our in-house rope splicing company, Iron Street Rope Splicing, has an industrial bartack machine that can sew a termination in most kernmantle ropes. The bartacked termination has been tried and tested in the field for years, and proven to be strong and reliable.
Some of our favorite kernmantle tree climbing ropes:
Bifrost is a unique color variant of Yale Cordage's Kernmaster 11mm climbing rope. A polyester core makes Bifrost ultra-low stretch, and smooth jacket runs cleanly through ascenders and hybrid devices. An excellent choice for SRS tree climbing.
DrenaLine is one of the new climbing ropes built by Teufelberger to excel in both SRS and MRS climbing systems. Lightweight construction with good flexibility. Built for today's tree climbing methods and hardware.
Flow is a flexible 11.8mm tree climbing line with factory-spliced slim eye. This eye will fit through the friction links in a Zigzag, making it easy to install. An unusual kernmantle rope, with 24-strand sheathe (most kernmantles are 32-strand or more) making it well suited for MRS climbing.
24-strand Tree Climbing Ropes
24-strand double-braid ropes are constructed with a braided outer layer over a separate braided core. Both core and cover share the load in this type of tree climbing rope. This strong construction has allowed creation of lightweight ropes with exceptional strength. 24-strand is the most popular rope construction for climbing ropes used in arboriculture work. The surface of a 24-strand rope is smooth and works with the widest range of friction hitches and mechanical devices. All double-braid ropes can "milk," where the cover moves past the core. This is normal, and can be reversed by milking the cover back the opposite direction, or simply cutting away the excess cover.
Our selection of 24-strand ropes is huge - but which one is right for you? With top-quality ropes, you can't go wrong. If you climb on a specific device, like the Akimbo or Zigzag, you'll want to make sure your rope is within specs for the unit. Many climbers develop personal favorites, and others like to try out a new line or color each time. If you'd like advice selecting a climbing rope, our customer service staff are happy to talk rope. Ultimately, unless you need a rope of a certain diameter, choosing a 24-strand is a matter of personal preference; with this selection of great ropes, you can't go wrong.
Most 24-strand ropes are available with a hand-spliced or bartacked eye. Both these terminations are built by the professionals at Iron Street Rope Splicing, and have been used in the field for years. A hand-spliced eye is more compact and goes through the rings of a friction saver more easily. A sewn termination is affordable and give extra stiffness over the length of the sewing, which can actually help tend climbing devices. Both terminations are a reliable choice.
Some of our favorite 24-strand climbing ropes:
16-strand Arborist Climbing Rope
16-strand climbing ropes are popular for their strength, full-sized grip, and durability. These ropes have been tried and trusted for years. While many professionals now use 24-trand or kernmantle ropes, these ropes are still popular for moving rope systems (MRS). 16-strand ropes have a large carrier size and tight weave, making them durable for tree work. These ropes cover-dependant: outer strands provide strength; the core keeps the rope's body firm and round. This combination of durability, strength, and friendly hand makes a 16-strand climbing rope popular for tough conditions, or just when a better grip on the line is needed.
Some of the newest 16-strand ropes have improved performance with modern climbing devices. Courant's Komora gives you the durability of a 16-strand construction in a 11.7mm size with slim factory eye splice. Samson's Arborfreak is a redesign of the long running ArborMaster climbing line.
Some popular 16-strand ropes:
12-strand Tree Climbing Rope
12-strand solid-braids make for firm and round tree climbing rope. They have a "nubby" feel that is easy to grip, and work well with traditional climbing methods. They are a poor choice for use with mechanical devices, as they won't deliver smooth performance like a higher strand count rope. 12-Strand is an older construction for tree climbing rope, but it is very durable and easy to handle. (16-strand, 24-strand, and Kernmantle rope have replaced 12-strand for most professional climbers.) Some industries may still require use of 12-strand climbing ropes.
Our selection of traditional 12-strand tree climbing ropes:
What diameter rope should you choose for tree climbing?
Arborist climbing ropes range from 11mm to 13mm (about 7/16" to 1/2"). Smaller climbing lines will give you a lighter total weight for your rope. While a larger diameter rope can be easier to grip, with less fatigue. Many of the newest climbing lines are right in the middle, at 11.7 or 11.8mm. Whether you want a smaller, lighter rope, or a larger rope that's easier to grab and knot, make sure to check your equipment for compatibility. If you want to climb on the latest mechanical friction device, be sure to get a rope that will fit!
Prusiks used in your climbing system should be roughly 25% smaller in diameter than your climbing rope. This means 8 or 9mm prusik for an 11mm rope, or 9 or 10mm for a 12mm rope. 9mm diameter prusik cords are versatile choices that can work well on most arborist ropes, from skinny to full-sized.
Other Factors
Once you've chosen a construction and made sure your rope diameter will work with your tree climbing tools, the remaining factors are matters of personal preference. Rope hand, color, and spliced terminations are all options to consider.
Buying Arborist Rope by the Foot
WesSpur sells our ropes in standard pre-measured lengths and also by the foot. Buy exactly the length of rope you prefer to climb on, or buy bulk rope for splicing projects. The industry standard used by both manufacturers and retailers is usually plus or minus 5% to any length of rope to account for difference in measurement methods and stretch. Our warehouse staff use calibrated rope pullers to measure each rope length cut and sold, to ensure it should always be within the plus/minus 5% zone.
What else to get with your new rope?
A Rope Bag keeps your rope stored safely and easy to deploy.
Rope Washing supplies keep your rope flexible and ensure a clean surface for prusiks and climbing devices.
A good knot book for arborists can help you get the most out of your knew rope.
