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The rope is the most important and also the heaviest piece of rappelling gear you’ll carry, so finding the best rope for rappelling makes a real difference. The right rope won’t just keep your descent safe, it’ll make the whole thing more enjoyable. I wasn’t always sure what rope worked best for rappelling, so I did some digging and wanted to share what I learned with you below.
The best rope for rappelling is a lightweight static rope that’s 8 to 11mm in diameter. For rappelling through waterfalls or other wet environments, make sure it’s a dry rope, which has a special coating that keeps the core of the rope dry. On top of that, consider the belay device you plan on using so the rope diameter is compatible.
You can rappel on a semi-static or dynamic rope, but that depends on the activity you’re doing. Semi-static and dynamic rope is built for climbing. If you’re only rappelling, it’s best to stick with a static rope. You can also rappel on a smaller diameter rope depending on your belay device, but there are safety concerns, and rappelling on a thinner rope takes a good bit of experience. If you’re weighing your options here, our breakdown of whether you can rappel on a dynamic rope is worth a read.
Now that we’ve got the basic outline of what to look for in your rappelling rope, let’s talk about the rope on the market and what I’d recommend for your next rappelling adventure. Plus, we’re going to cover what to think about when you’re picking rope so you can make an informed choice.
My Top 3 Picks For The Best Rope For Rappelling
EdelweissCanyon EverDry Static Rope
- Length: 30 Meters
- Diameter: 9.1
- Dry Coating: Yes, EverDry
- Weight per Meter: 49 grams
Pros:
The biggest pro for me on this rope is that it’s a dry rope, meaning it has a special coating that works great in any environment without you having to worry about the core of the rope staying dry.
The diameter is big enough that you won’t have trouble controlling the speed of your descent, but it’s thin enough to keep the rope light.
It’s long enough to rappel most canyoneering routes, and you can still do a single strand rappel if you need to for longer rappels, as long as they’re under 150 feet.
Cons:
The color should really be a pro, because the bright shade makes it easier to see if the rope reaches the ground and easier to spot you if a rescue is needed. I just don’t love how it looks.
BlueWaterCanyon Canyoneering Rope
- Length: 65 to 200 Meters
- Diameter: 9.2
- Dry Coating: No
- Weight per Meter: 61 grams
Pros:
I love the feel of this rope when I’m rappelling. At 9.2mm, it works with most rappelling devices and handles easily.
It’s on the lighter end of rappelling rope at only 61 grams per meter.
Cons:
Though this rope has a sheath coating to prevent wear and tear from rocks, it doesn’t have a dry coating on it. That means it isn’t ideal for cave rappelling, waterfall rappelling, or even rappels that have water at the bottom of the route.
SterlingGym ReVO 9.8mm Climbing Rope
- Length: 40 Meters
- Diameter: 9.8
- Dry Coating: No
- Weight per Meter: 61 grams
Pros:
The slightly larger diameter makes descent speed easy to control.
The rope is a little bit shorter, which here is a good thing, because most routes aren’t over 40 meters, so you don’t have to carry as much weight as you would with a longer rope.
Cons:
This rope has a slight stretch to it, so when you go over sharp edges there may be a bit of rubbing on the rope.
It doesn’t have a dry coating either. That means it isn’t ideal for cave rappelling, waterfall rappelling, or rappels that have water at the bottom of the route.
Dry Vs Non-Dry Rope
The difference between a dry rope and a non-dry rope is a coating that keeps water from getting to the core of the rope. Water can damage the core and make the rope unsafe to climb or rappel on, which is why it’s worth thinking about whether you need that water-resistant coating.
A common mix-up with dry vs non-dry rope is which one actually has the water-resistant coating. Dry rope is the type that has a water-resistant coating on it. The way I remember it so I don’t get confused is that dry means the core will stay dry. Non-dry means it doesn’t have the coating, and the core may get wet if you put it through water.
With that in mind, you might just get a dry rope to be safe. That’s a common call for folks who want the option of rappelling down water. There’s a price difference to weigh, though. Dry rope is usually more expensive than non-dry rope because of that special coating. So think about the environment you plan on rappelling in to decide if it’s a necessary cost or if you can get away with saving some money.
The Environment of Your Climb or Rappell
The environment you’re rappelling down can change the rope type you should get. For example, if you’re rappelling a hundred meters down a desert canyon, your rope will be different than if you’re rappelling down a waterfall. So I’ve included the most common types of rappelling environments below with a short note on the rope needed for each:
- Cave and Waterfall Rappelling: When you’re rappelling into a cave or through a waterfall, your rope doesn’t need to stretch, so a static rope is ideal. The rope also needs to be water-resistant so it doesn’t get damaged and unsafe to rappel on.
- Dry canyons or desert rappelling: If you’re rappelling down a dry canyon or in any dry or desert environment, you’ll want a rope that doesn’t stretch, so again a static rope is ideal. The rope won’t be running through water, so you don’t need to pay extra for a water-resistant one.
► Beginners Guide to Rappeling
Static Vs Semi-Static Vs Dynamic Rope
The difference between static, semi-static, and dynamic rope is the amount of stretch or elongation in the rope. Static rope is usually the least expensive, followed by semi-static, and then dynamic rope, which is typically the priciest. The activity you’re doing dictates the rope you need. For example, if you’re climbing and falling, you’ll want the rope to stretch slightly to help cushion the fall.
When it comes to rappelling, the rope needs to stay tight so the descent is as smooth and easy as possible, both for the person rappelling and for the gear being used. Stretch in the rope can also increase how much it rubs over rock edges, and that rubbing wears the rope down faster. Because you want everything as tight as possible, you don’t want any give or stretch, which is why static rope is ideal for rappelling. If you want to go deeper on this, we break it down in static vs dynamic rope for rappelling.
Semi-static rope has some stretch, but it’s still strongest when it’s tight. Because there’s some stretch, it isn’t ideal for rappelling. That give does make the impact of falling on a slightly loose rope a little more comfortable for a climber, though. Because of that, semi-static rope is ideal for top-rope climbing. Top-rope climbing has an anchor at the top of the route, so the belayer and climber can keep the rope tighter than with sport or trad climbing.
Dynamic rope is ideal for sport and trad climbing, where falls can include a lot of loose rope and a longer drop. Dynamic rope cushions the fall a bit and makes it more comfortable for climbers. It stretches a lot, though, so it isn’t ideal for rappelling, since that give can make it harder to control long descents.
The Best Rope Length For Rappelling
Ropes typically range from 30 to 100 meters long. When you’re rappelling on a double line or with a belayer at the bottom, the rope length needs to be double the length of the rappel. Rappels vary widely in length, but the average is around 30 meters, so typical rope recommendations are 30 or 60 meters. Resources like guide books and online forums can give you details on the length of rope needed for established rappel routes. Once you’re down, our guide on how to retrieve your rope after rappelling is handy to have.
► Rappelling On a Single Line vs Double Line
How Much Does Rope Weigh
Before you buy the longest rope you can afford, think about the weight of each meter of rope. The longer the rope, the heavier it is, which matters a lot when you have to hike from rappel to rappel with the rope on your back.
The average weight of climbing and rappelling rope is between 55 and 65 grams per meter. That means a 100-meter rope could be 5,500 to 6,500 grams, which is 12.12 to 14.33 lbs, compared to 3.6 to 4.2 lbs for a 30-meter rope.
On top of the weight of your rope, you also need to factor in everything else in your pack, so you don’t overload yourself or make the rappelling day too exhausting with how much you’re carrying. Picking a comfortable harness for rappelling and the right rappelling device makes a long day a lot easier too.
► What To Bring On A Rappelling Trip
Dialing in your rope is one piece of a much bigger climbing puzzle. If you want to get stronger and move better between trips, grab our free newsletter and get one short climbing drill in your inbox each week. Each one takes about 15 minutes. Level up your climbing with 15 minutes of training.
Frequently asked questions
What size rope is best for rappelling?
For most rappelling, a lightweight static rope in the 8 to 11mm range works best. It’s thick enough to control your descent speed and stay compatible with common belay devices, but thin enough to keep the weight down. Thinner ropes are possible depending on your device, but they take real experience to handle safely.
Do I need a dry rope for rappelling?
Only if you’ll be rappelling through water. A dry rope has a coating that keeps water out of the core, which matters for cave rappelling, waterfall rappelling, or routes with water at the bottom. Dry rope costs more, so for dry canyons and desert routes you can usually save money with a non-dry rope.
Can you rappel on a dynamic rope?
You can, but it isn’t ideal. Dynamic rope stretches a lot, and that give makes it harder to control long descents. Semi-static and dynamic ropes are really built for climbing. If you’re only rappelling, a static rope keeps everything tight and smooth.
How long should a rappelling rope be?
Rappelling ropes usually run from 30 to 100 meters. On a double line or with a belayer at the bottom, you need roughly double the length of the rappel. Since the average rappel is around 30 meters, most people go with a 30 or 60 meter rope, and guide books or online forums can confirm what an established route needs.
How much does rappelling rope weigh?
Climbing and rappelling rope averages 55 to 65 grams per meter. A 30-meter rope lands around 3.6 to 4.2 lbs, while a 100-meter rope can hit 12.12 to 14.33 lbs. Since you carry the rope from rappel to rappel, buying only as much length as the route needs saves your back.
