All EDELRID ropes meet the very highest quality and safety standards. Every meter has been carefully manufactured and finished. Our ropes are subjected to rigorous testing. They are prepared in the best way possible and are ready to be used all around the world.

When you buy an EDELRID rope, our work is over; the rope becomes your responsibility and you stand at the beginning of a great adventure. There are a few basic rules that every climber should observe in order to get the best out of their rope. It's important not to forget that a rope is essentially a textile product and should be looked after and used accordingly. Here are some practical tips for looking after your rope.

 

UNCOILING

Most ropes are coiled and packaged before they leave the factory. This is why it's important to carefully uncoil your rope when you unpack it to reverse this process. If you don't, you might end up with unwanted twists and kinks.
To uncoil your rope, carefully remove the securing bands, slide your lower arms though the middle of the coil and then pull them apart so that the rope forms a ring. Keeping the tension on the coils, rotate your lower arms slowly around each other to carefully unwind the rope into a pile on the floor. Take care that no loops get wrapped around your wrist. Once the whole rope has been uncoiled, run it through two or three times and shake it out to remove any last twists or kinks. When you are finished, coil up the rope, or even better store it loosely in a rope bag. It's best to carry out the whole process indoors or over a rope bag, to ensure that it remains free from dirt.

COILING

Coiling is the best way to transport your rope if you don't have a rope bag. It keeps your rope clean and stored in a handy manner. It takes a while to learn how to coil your rope properly. Here are a few tips to bear in mind. Firstly, it doesn't really matter whether you coil your rope doubled from the middle or from the ends. It can also be coiled as a single strand from one end. The important thing is to coil it in loops and not in rings like a cable. The easiest way to do this is to collect the loops in one hand or hang them over your neck to the left and the right alternatively.

Rope bags are the best way to store and transport your rope. They provide plenty of room, pack down small and have a tarp to protect the rope from dirt and moisture. Attach one end of the rope to a tie-in loop on the corner to prevent the end from running through the belay inadvertently when lowering. Then run the rope through your hands and stack it in loops on the tarp. The lead climber can now tie in to the free end. When you move on, tie the free end to the second loop on the tarp, roll it up and secure it in the rope bag.

If you don't intend to use your rope for a longer period or over the winter, then it's important to store it properly. Ideally, you should store it in a dry, dark, cool place and not in a container. The best way to do this is either in a rope bag or neatly coiled up and away from direct sunlight, chemicals, heat and any sources of mechanical damage. Do not hang the rope from one of its coils. Storing a rope permanently in the boot of your car is a bad idea. It could be exposed to large fluctuations in temperature and maybe even harmful chemicals.

EDELRID is known for innovative ropes with the highest quality and safety standards. We have put together a few basics about rope care so that you can enjoy your climbing rope for a long time. The second part of the article deals with checking the climbing rope for damage, the correct cleaning of a climbing rope, and gives general information about the service life of a climbing rope. If you have any questions about coiling and uncoiling a rope or about the right way to store it, you will find answers in the first part of the article.

 

INSPECTING YOUR ROPE 

Climbing ropes are made to be used. However, every route you climb leaves its mark. This is why you should carefully inspect your rope before and after you use it. In addition to a visual inspection, it's important to run the rope through your hands, meter by meter. This will enable you to detect any small irregularities or signs of damage. In the event of a serious incident (e.g. stonefall, big fall) you should pay particular attention when checking your rope.

You can't avoid your rope getting dirty (especially if you don't use a rope bag). This is not a problem and it certainly does not mean that you need to replace it. A rope is a textile product and can be washed. If your rope is really dirty, washing will actually improve its handling. Use a mild synthetic detergent from a specialist retailer. The best way to wash your rope is by hand in lukewarm water. The delicates cycle (30°C) in the washing machine is also OK. Important – don't use the spin cycle and never tumble dry your rope. To dry your rope – don't hang it up and avoid direct sunlight. The best way to dry it is to spread it out on the ground in a cool, dark place.

LIFESPAN

Ropes deteriorate even when they are not used. At the very latest they should be replaced after ten years as synthetic fibers deteriorate over time. A rope that is only used occasionally and stored carefully can provide three to six years of service. If you use your rope on a very regular basis and it takes lots of falls, we advise you to downgrade it to toprope use only after one year. It's not possible to provide exact values for rope lifespan. In particular, difficult handling or a worn sheath should make it clear to the safety-conscious user that it's time to replace a rope. It's important to replace a rope if it has been subjected to extreme forces or if it is damaged. For example, if:

  • there are significant axial and/or radial bulges and deformations (e.g. stiff sections, nicks, sponginess)
  • the sheath slips significantly
  • the sheath is extremely worn (e.g. abrasion or furring)
  • heat, abrasion, or friction burns have melted or visibly damaged the rope
  • the rope has come in contact with chemicals, in particular acids.