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Best light single rope?

Original Post
Tim Zander · · Breckenridge, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 30

My 9.8 is getting worn out, so time for a new rope. I want something lighter for remote climbs and technical mountaineering, but also looking for the most durable rope in the 9.2-9.5 range. Also, dry is a must.

What is your experience?

Guy H. · · Fort Collins CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 8,318

The Mammut Infinity 9.5mm is a solid rope. I have owned 4 of these in the past. They are not the lightest, but you will find more uses for them besides light weight alpine days.

Cole Phinney · · Astoria OR · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 50

+1 for the Sterling Ion.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

+1 for the Mammut Infinity 9.5
Have had very good luck

Mammut also has the Revelation at 9.2

BirminghamBen · · Birmingham, AL · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 1,620

I've been beating on my 9.2mm Edelwiess Performance for nearly four years now....just trimmed the ends and I think I might get four more years out of it...well, maybe not, but you get the idea.

On Sale at Bentgate....

JonathanC · · CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 5

+1 Mammut Infinity

W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

Sterling Nano is a GREAT thin cord! Love mine, light durable and confidence inspiring (for a 9.2)

S Denny · · Aspen, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

+1 for Mammut 9.5

-10 for Mammut 9.2, friend had one that got shredded a little too quick for my liking

Aaron Martinuzzi · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 1,485
BirminghamBen wrote:I've been beating on my 9.2mm Edelwiess Performance for nearly four years now....just trimmed the ends and I think I might get four more years out of it...well, maybe not, but you get the idea. On Sale at Bentgate....
My Edelwiess Performance was definitely an excellent workhorse, and pretty inexpensive. It didn't have the “sweet” feeling that my PMI 9.4 mm did, but it was a good bit less pricey and I had no complaints about it. Sterling and Mammut make great ropes but Edelwiess's cords can generally be found for a bit less coin. Check out justropes.com for deals, they often have old colors of nice ropes for good prices.
Juho Risku · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 0

I'm aware of quite a few ropes that fit the specifications of yours. I've personally been using Beal Joker for a few years, which is slightly thinner i.e. 9.1 mm, as a single. I've been pretty happy with it. It's good quality, reasonably light, durable, easy to feed and can be used in half / twin configurations as well...

Out of those others particularly Monster Ropes / Tendon Master 9.2 (actually a same rope) and perhaps Sterling Rope Fusion Nano seem interesting alternatives. First offering low weight / low impact force combination and second being even lighter. If you'd be prepared to go with an even skinnier rope, I'd consider also Edelweiss Extrem II, that has lower impact force than the ones mentioned above... being very skinny that might come at the expense of durability though it has the sharp edge protection.

As I have good experiences with Edelweiss, especially in terms of durability, I would probably take Extrem II anyways and give it a try. :-)

In case you're interested of comparing the specifications, I've collected a list of <9.5 mm ropes that I'm aware of here

Ted Kryzer · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

sterling nano. Its awesome i climbed on it all last sumer and its still going strong.

Tom Caldwell · · Clemson, S.C. · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,623

Mammut Infinity. Holds up better than some of my 10mm's.

Larry S · · Easton, PA · Joined May 2010 · Points: 872

I'm really happy with my Mammut Infinity so far (5 months)

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506

+1 Mammut Infinity (9.5mmx70m)

Had a Galaxy for years, decided to cut some weight and got myself a new rope. No issues yet.

9.2 Revelation 6-7 55g/m 9.3kN 7.2%
9.5 Infinity 7-8 58g/m 9.1kN 6.8%
10 Galaxy 8-9 66g/m 9.2kN 7%

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,665

My bluewater 9.4 still hangs on as one of the best ropes I have ever owned. I said it 2 years ago in the same discussion and STILL say it now- and I'm talking about the same rope I was using then... it's that good. Handles like a dream, wears like steel.

Red · · Tacoma, Toyota · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 1,625
Luc wrote:+1 Mammut Infinity (9.5mmx70m)
best rope ever
redlude97 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5

Just heaping on more praise for the Mammut Infinity. It is a workhorse. Same construction as the Mammut Supersafe, which is widely regarded as one of the most durable ropes around. The catches are slightly harsher than other ropes I've used though

Scott Bennett · · Western North America · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 1,265

Sounds like tons of people are fans of the Sterling 9.2, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. We had multiple core shots after less than two days (~40 pitches) of climbing this winter, and I know of at least three other parties who had similar experiences.

I think that the sheath is kinda flimsy. Much more than other ultra-skinny lines I've used, it tends to go from a "keep-an-eye-on-that" soft spot to an "oh-my-god" six-inch long core shot within a day.

the remains of a sterling 9.2

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
redlude97 wrote:Just heaping on more praise for the Mammut Infinity. It is a workhorse. Same construction as the Mammut Supersafe, which is widely regarded as one of the most durable ropes around. The catches are slightly harsher than other ropes I've used though
Slightly heavier than Mammut claims. My 60m is 8.5 pounds brand new.
Guy H. · · Fort Collins CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 8,318
Ray Pinpillage wrote: Slightly heavier than Mammut claims. My 60m is 8.5 pounds brand new.
Mammut cuts their ropes long to allow for shrinkage with use. This might explain part of the weight difference.
Tyler Wick · · Bishop, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 200
Scott Bennett wrote:Sounds like tons of people are fans of the Sterling 9.2, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. We had multiple core shots after less than two days (~40 pitches) of climbing this winter, and I know of at least three other parties who had similar experiences. I think that the sheath is kinda flimsy. Much more than other ultra-skinny lines I've used, it tends to go from a "keep-an-eye-on-that" soft spot to an "oh-my-god" six-inch long core shot within a day.
+1

Haven't core shot mine yet, but the sheath was already looking pitiful after maybe ~20 pitches.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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