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Trango ropes

Graham Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Climbing magazine like them: climbing.com/gear/climbing-…

Justin Meyer · · Madison, WI · Joined May 2012 · Points: 47

I found a review on the lotus here: basicrockclimbing.com/trang…

G Halsne · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 1,487

Well... I'll have to write my own review in a few months as my lotus arrives mañana. I'll have to wait since I ordered it last Saturday and immediately went out on popped some ring finger pulleys.

Good times, palm deep in face.

Michael Schneiter · · Glenwood Springs, CO · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 10,406

I've got both the 9.9 Lotus and the 9.0 Catalyst and like both of them. Both seem to be durable and resistance to wear. I've hammered on the Lotus in partciular and it seems like it's going to be a workhorse of a rope. I haven't hammered the Catalyst as much yet but I've used it on some rough rock and it has stood up well so far. Both have a stiffer feel and handling characteristic but they hold knots well and work well with both Grigris and ATCs. Plus, I love the colors with all of Trango's ropes. That's always a nice bonus. :)

Carl Kish · · Aspen, CO · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 0

Yeah I've got the 10.2 and two of the 8.1 and think they're awesome. Not one complaint about them.

Systematic · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 317

Any other notable experiences with Trango ropes? How does the 9.0 catalyst compare to with Mammut 9.2 and Metolius 8.9 / 9.2. Thanks!

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 342
Mrkb3 wrote:Any other notable experiences with Trango ropes? How does the 9.0 catalyst compare to with Mammut 9.2 and Metolius 8.9 / 9.2. Thanks!
I have the Catalyst and really like it. It does not feel like a 9.0 feels more like a 10.0 to me which gives me a little more comfort and peace of mind.
Nate Manson · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 135

I've had 3 Trango ropes. They handle well but their durability is an issue. They take on dirt extremely easy. I usually only use them in the gym now.

Peter BrownWhale · · Randallstown, MD · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 21

I have the diamond, it's a perfectly good rope, definitely slippery at first though before breaking in, i love the bright colors they use

Systematic · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 317

Thanks for the input.

Kevin Mokracek wrote: I have the Catalyst and really like it. It does not feel like a 9.0 feels more like a 10.0 to me which gives me a little more comfort and peace of mind.
Kevin, can you expand on that? This is exactly their claim and the reason I am interested in the rope. I do expect it to see some abrasion.

Thanks.
Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 342
Mrkb3 wrote:Thanks for the input. Kevin, can you expand on that? This is exactly their claim and the reason I am interested in the rope. I do expect it to see some abrasion. Thanks.
I have only had the Catalyst a short time so i can't speak to it's durability but the 10.2 Trango I had was plenty durable and I have used and abused it for a few years now and it has held up great and I will be buying another for a big wall rope.

I used the Catalyst again yesterday and was pleased with the in hand feel and performance. I took one fall on it, about a 20 footer had the bolt at my feet and popped off, I did not expect to go that far but my belayer had some slack out and that along with the stretchiness of the rope made for a super soft catch. I'll keep posting as I use it.
Sam Day · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2015 · Points: 0

Old thread... but I feel the need to chime in and say that after a week in the Winds with a Trango Catalyst 9.0, it quickly became a favorite. Paired with a DMM Pivot (which I really dislike with fatter ropes,) it was super smooth both lead belaying and in guide mode. Definitely on the more soft and supple end of the spectrum, with a pretty beefy sheath that held up really well on the sharp crystals of the Cirque.

I thought it would mostly stay in the closet as a dedicated alpine rope, but I've already spent a couple of days trad cragging on it and as others have said in prior posts, it's wicked confidence inspiring for it's size. When held need to a friend's 9.2, there really isn't any discernible size difference... Maybe there is when they're weighted? I'unno.

If anyone has any feedback on the Amphibian twins/halves, I'd love to hear it.

Cheers,
Sam

Gio C · · Squamish · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 5

I was climbing on Trango amphibians in the winds a few weeks ago. Ropes handeled nicely, were clearly middle marked and held up to the abuse pretty well. Haven't fallen on them yet or used them on snow or ice, so I can't speak for the dry treatment or catch. If you can get them on sale I'd definitely recommend them.

Sam Day · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2015 · Points: 0

Hey Giovanni,

I think we actually met at the base of K Cracks. I had a white helmet, long hair, and gray pack and was leading K as you came up South Buttress. You were there with a couple from Alaska, right? If so, small world!

Sam

Taylor Spiegelberg · · WY · Joined May 2012 · Points: 1,676

Adding my two cents....
I've had my catalyst for a few months now and overall, its a good rope for a few niche types of climbing. My favorite way to use it is on long multi pitches where it isn't taking too much abuse as well as longer single pitch lines (100 ft +). Easy AF to coil, knot and rap on (middle mark).... When using it as a cragging rope, it seems to get chewed up a little faster since the sheath is so soft. Overall, the rope performs very well and is easy to clip. If you're ordering it online, expect it to be very soft out of the package. This is a great rope to have in a quiver of two. My plan is to keep this as a specialty cord and buy a 60 m 9.5-9.8 for a cragging/abuse cord.

TobyTowne · · Dalton, GA · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 360

PMI manufactures trango's ropes for them

Conor Mark · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 700

I have the lotus 9.9, I think it's a good rope. Gives a really soft catch and has a decent hand. Even using a bag/tarp the rope seems to pick up dirt, but it might just be that it's a bright, single color and dirt stands out on it. I used it for sport and trad, and thought it did both well. After a little under a year of use, it seems a little fuzzier than I would have imagined, but overall has seemed hardy.

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 342

I also have the Lotus and have been using the crap out of it for 4 years and only now am I using it less because it's getting a little fuzzy. I think your right about the single color showing the dirt more. I really don't think it gets any dirtier than other ropes.

levi Goldman · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 65

I’ve got the 9.9 gym pink one, bought as a 40 meter gym cut. I’m 180 lbs and whipped on it 3 days a week for 2 years, in the gym. Then I bought a replacement, though didn’t really need to, and the new line wore out immediately. Very very impressed when compared with another rope. To be fair, the Trango was dry and the other was not... still though... I’m considering the Trango or PMI for my next outdoor rope. 

WadeM · · Auburn, Ca · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 481

I have the Catalyst and love it!
Will continue to buy trango!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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