So my old rope is getting pretty worn and I am ready to get a new one.

I typically climb trad, often multi pitch. I also find myself at the crag clipping bolts fairly often. So I guess I am looking for an all-around rope geared more towards multi-pitch trad climbing.

I was thinking about something in the 9.1-9.7 range. Maybe an Eidelweiss rope? I have had good experience with them in the past and my local climbing shop has excellent prices for them.

gotta plug a good domestic product - PMI

A lot of new routes are set up for 70m ropes. With the thinner ropes, you hardly notice the weight of the extra 10m. With a rope that long, don't bother with a middle mark that disappears. You will thank yourself for investing the extra money on a bi-pattern every time you rappel. Eidelweiss makes a durable 70m bi-pattern that doesn't cost a fortune. I think that the equivalent Bluewater rope handles better, but they cost more and my buddy had one with a defective sheath (his other Bluewater was fine). A rope bag will also help to extend your rope's lifetime.

BlueWater Lighting Pro 9.7
This is a great rope.

I also recommend the slim line elite 9.8, same core thicker sheath.

also these ropes, as well as PMI, are made in Georgia.

I've used an Edelweiss and they are priced right but look at their stats.Compare similar sized ropes and you will see that Edelweiss, on average, has a higher impact force, higher weight and held less UIAA falls. You get what you pay for.

I own an Edel and a Sterling. By far the Sterling is superior in abrasion resistance, weight, and clipping. I think mine is the ION 9.8 60m. The Fusion is 9.5 I think that's the newer one.

One of my regrets is that I did not replace Sterling with another one from them. My current rope brand need not be mentioned. I don't want to get into the details of a fragile sheath and way too much kinking.

The Sterling I owned had outstanding handling with no compromise in sheath durability. Every other rope I've owned had either a stiff sheath (great durability) with difficult handling, or a soft handling, fragile sheath.

The current line of top line Sterlings is broken into the Marathon and Biathalon series, with the latter being the bi-color version of the former.

There are so many great ropes out there, but in my admittedly limited experience, I will vote with my dollars for another Sterling the next time I need a new rope (sooner than I'd like based on my current rope's disappointments).

In general, I really like the American rope manufacturers, having had good experience with Blue Water, and just now getting to know a pair of PMI doubles. This comes from someone who used to be a Europhile about most of my "sporting gear".

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Another vote for PMI. I just bought my 1st rope from them a few months ago. Don't remember the name but it's the 9.4 70M. Excellent handling. I've mostly used it in Eldo, and so far it's holding up well. I'd definitely recommend it.

Do not buy an Edelweiss rope. The last time some guy posted this question 3 of us told him not to and he did it anyway. They are less expensive but there is a reason for that.

I have really liked my Sterling Evolution Kosmos 10.2 and my Maxim Glider 10.2 is really nice too. The Edelweiss is too floppy and gets abraded worse than the others. It was a 9.9, but I still feel the other ropes were higher build quality.

I think that 10.2 is a good mix of qualities for a general rope. The skinny ropes handle worse, get caught up on rappel worse, and are harder to untie. Grams per meter is really more important since it is the weight we care about.

Bi pattern is a must and I will not buy another rope without it.

I've had the 60 m Blue Water 9.7 mm rope (Lightening, I think) for 2 years. It handles nicely and has held up pretty well.

The next rope I buy will be a 70 m bi-color. I'm considering the Blue Water Lightening (9.7 mm) or the Mammut Infinity (9.5 mm). I'm curious if people would recommend one over the other.

depends on what type climbing you do, are you whipping on your rope on hard sport routes or are you dragging it over edges adn thru bushes on long trad routes?

I do more of the latter and on a store recommendation at Neptune, i got a 60 m Millet 9.8 - hands down love the rope, it's holding up really well to being drug around corners and over edges on low angle slab and has a real nice feel to it when clipping - and it's light weight.

My old rope was an Edelweiss - i bought it coz it was cheaper - which it was - you get what you pay for.

Get the Mammut. I have three of their ropes and they have great durability and handling. One of those three is an Infinity and it works great, trad, sport multipitch. At 9.5 mm the Infinity is not too thin and it lasts even with the occasional top rope session. Go with the 70m it will be worth it 5 years down the road when you trim a bit off the end of the rope and still have 60 meters left.

For those out there seeking new rope information who may be noobs – the comment about shortening your rope after 5 years may not be the best idea. Buying another should be. Ropes loose their dynamic properties after each fall. The rope recovers, but never to what it once was. Each additional fall puts incrementally more stress on gear, biners, harness, and human subjects. It is also important to realize that a rope loses its dynamic properties sitting in storage (assuming it is properly stored). Time breaks down the dynamic properties. If in doubt of your rope, retire and buy a new one. Your life isn’t worth the cost.

Using a 5 yr old rope might be o.k. for a top roper, provided you’ve inspected it carefully and know its history well. But leading on a 5yr old rope is rolling the dice even if it hasn’t taken many falls. YMMV

I personally like Maxim ropes.

Bicolor ropes can be a lifesaver, literally. There have been many accidents because of missing or misread middle marks. This doesn't happen with bicolor ropes.

Just recently in Spearfish canyon a veteran climber was sadly killed when (I believe) he mistook the markings on his rope.

I only buy bicolor ropes. The $40 extra dollars is worth the peace of mind to me.

lazer 70 meter

I buy for price, every time, and have never regretted it. That's just me.

Knots, knots, knots, in the ends of your ropes!!! If you find yourself on raps to long to knot the ends of your rope, buy a 70 m, or buy two!
Bruce is right "If in doubt of your rope, retire and buy a new one. Your life isn’t worth the cost."
They don't call it your life-line for nothing!
Sterling 70 m bicolor 10.4 the weight is worth the life( if you take care of it)
just bought the blue water 9.4 70 m DD dominator

The sterling has been abused: top roping noobies, long trad and sport routes, jugged, hauled, sand, dirt, roofs, sharp 90 deg corners, and has caught a few 20 footers. and no sheath slip, and minimal frays. well worth the weight! and $

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I broke down last night and spent the big $$ on a Bluewater Slimline Elite 9.8 70m. It almost feels too soft for a new rope.

Good discussion! I've owned an Edelweiss On-sight for a few years. I initially liked the rope...but we were climbing down in the Red a couple of weeks ago, and we discovered a core shot in it. I don't climb all that often (probably a dozen times a year) and am not that hard on the rope (ie I don't take that many whippers). So I won't be buying this one again:

http://www.gearexpress.biz/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD>>>>>

For sport climbing, I prefer a slightly thicker (10.2) rope...60M, bi-color preferable.

For other climbing (trad, alpine)...a 9.7-9.9 mm, 60M, dry treated bicolor rope is my preference.

I've owned a PMI, and really liked it.

I was sure to check the bicolor midpoint when I got the rope last night. Dead nuts in the middle; hopefully this rope lives up to its name.

My last rope was an Edelweiss and the sheath is starting to fray pretty bad and the core seems solid but softer in some spots. I guess I can't complain after 2 years of pretty intense use.

Here's my $0.02 but being a noob, TIFWIW:

For craggin' I've used a Bluewater Dominator 10.2 x 60m. So far its held up well and served me well over the last two years. I have never fallen on it but have hung on it. I've since washed it once and it looks new. Pretty happy with it.

For alpine, I just picked up an Edelwiess Performance 9.2 x 60m and I love this rope! I got it at Bent Gate. Double dry treated, skinny and only $135! So far I've used it 5 times, and its been rapped on twice, by 5 climbers, no twists, no frays etc. Its super slick and glides through ATC's etc. really well. I'm quite happy with the rope.

Not sure if this adds to anything, or helps, but thought I'd offer that up.

I have blown out a few Blue water cords in a matter of weeks. Actually one in just 8 pitches. I am not too impressed by their cords anymore. I think I just bought into the hype of everyone else's praises. I have been climbing on PMI for the last few months and so far so good. All the ropes are dry treated regardless. Double dry for the ones that may encounter wet conditions.
Seem to be very durable and handle well. Soft catches.
The 9.7 Arete by PMI is pretty good. I use it for trad and sport and it is in good shape still. Going on 3 months. So I like it.
Good Luck!