Welcome to this top 15 best climbing ropes buyer’s guide.
Rope climbing is a time old exercise, proved to be highly successful in building strength, endurance, and overall toughness by both athletes, and military worldwide. In this guide you’ll find plenty of information as to which climbing ropes are worth your money, as well as tips, exercises, and some information on how you can anchor them safely.
Best sellers
Our Recommended Climbing Rope
Manila Gym Climbing Rope
Premium quality old school climbing rope that has been handmade by experienced rope riggers. The included hand spliced loop makes way for an easy installation, and removes the need for any mounting brackets. Resistant fiber materials allow for both indoor, and outdoor use, with reduced fraying.
- Size: Available in 15 ft, 20 ft, 25 ft, and 30 feet long with 1.5†thickness
- Material: Manila hemp
- Cost: Medium range, however offering premium quality
Pros
- Weather proof rope with a breaking strength of over 15,000 lbs
- Numerous preset as well as custom lengths available
Cons
- The rope can be rough on the hands (to be expected though – climbing is usually rough on the skin)
SGT KNOTS Twisted Polypro Rope
See Price On AmazonThis pro manila rope is built to resemble classic manila, except it permits enhanced performance in terms of weather resistance and tensile strength. It’s texture is also not as harsh on the skin with long term use.
- Size: Available in 10 ft, 25 ft, 50 ft, 100 ft, and 600 ft, with 1/4 inch, 5/16 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.5 inch, or 2 inch thickness
- Material: Twisted polypropylene rope
- Cost: Ranges from low to high – depends on length and thickness
Pros
- Polypropylene is not as rough on the hands as manila, and remains a versatile all-purpose utility cord
- Weather resistant, lightweight, and affordable
- Nothing to note – quality rope for heavy duty use
Aoneky Gym Climbing Rope
This rope has been made with the sole intent of using it for climbing, and it serves that purpose efficiently. Although when first unpackaged the rope smells strongly of fuel, one can solve this problem by leaving the rope outside for a day or two. The anchoring clip is solid and makes it easy to attach the climbing rope.
- Size: Available in 10 ft, 13 ft, 15 ft, 18 ft, 20 ft, 25 ft, 30 ft, with 1.18 inch, 1.5 inch, 2′ inch thickness
- Material: Brown rope Material: Manila hemp, White rope Material: Polypropylene, Multi color rope Material: Cloth
- Cost: Low to medium range – depending on chosen length and thickness
Pros
- Includes metal anchoring clip and heat shrink caps
- High choice of sizes and widths, optimal for upper body strength development
Cons
- The heat shrink caps have been known to slide off – fasten them in place with a glue gun for a quick fix
GSM Brands Sisal Climbing Rope
The GSM climbing rope is well made and provides plenty of durability for it’s price.
The rope itself feels a bit stiff when first used but that is normal and will quickly adapt to its use, becoming more flexible, as well as providing you with the means of blasting your biceps and forearms.
- Size: Available in 25 feet long with 1.5 inch thickness
- Material: Sisal with vinyl heat shrink caps
- Cost: Low price
Pros
- Comes with a hand spliced loop for easy mounting
- Supports up to 300 lbs
Cons
- Some fraying after heavy use
Get Out! Climbing Rope
A professional rope kit that comes with a metal loop for easy anchoring.
Its material limits fraying and damage, making the rope more comfortable on the user’s skin, even after heavy usage. Ideal for military, school, or home gyms alike.
- Size: Available in 20 ft, 25 ft, and 30 feet long with a 1.5 inch thickness
- Material: poly-dac polyester with heat shrink caps
- Cost: Low to medium range
Pros
- Very limited fraying and degradation
- Comes with solid metal loop attachment
Cons
- Stiff at first, but does become more flexible with use
Titan Fitness Heavy Battle Rope
Also quite useful as a climbing rope, the Titan Fitness battle is both versatile and practical. Unlike some other battle rope products, it won’t fray, and the fibers are water resistant, as well as being closely packed together for maximum comfort in the hands if used as a climbing rope, and durability.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 50 feet long with 1.5″ & 2″ thickness
- Material: Poly Dacron with heat shrink handles
- Cost: Low priced but still provides a decent amount of value
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Cheaper
- Long comfortable handles
Cons
- Not much to say here apart from the handles that can get very slippery
ZENY Battle Rope
The Zeny battle rope is very sturdy and will certainly do the job. They are affordable and will provide you with a great workout on a consistent basis.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ & 2″ thickness
- Material: Dacron, with heat shrink handles
- Cost: Above medium range, but definitely not as expensive as the elite battle ropes
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Feels comfortable in the hands
- Heavy with a high tensile strength
Cons
- The grips lack in sturdiness
AmazonBasics Battle Exercise Training Rope
With Amazon now dipping its hand into all sorts of specializations, they have released their own brand of ropes. Not surprisingly, they perform well, are resistant, durable, portable, and offer plenty of versatility.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ & 2″ thickness
- Material: polyester blend with heat shrink handles
- Cost: The product is high quality, and the price is also high. This is certainly a higher end product.
Pros
- Durable construction, quality material
- Compacts nicely for storage
- Heat shrink grips
Cons
- Some customer complaints about fraying
Iron Bull Strength Battle Ropes with Anchor Kit and Nylon Protector
A heavier rope designed for high intensity workouts. Iron Bull Strength take pride in making quality training gear, and this definitely feels like an upgrade. It’ll make your arms feel like jelly after an intense session.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ & 2″ thickness
- Material: Poly Dacron with nylon sleeves and 7.5 inches heat shrink handles
- Cost: The price depends on the length of the rope you pick, but overall a great price to quality ratio.[
Pros
- premium construction
- Anchor kit included
- Heat shrink grips
Cons
- None to note
Super Deal Battle Rope
The Super Deal battle rope is a decent product to start with if you are on a tight budget and don’t plan on having them being pounded consistently by 10 different people everyday in a fitness center – they will start showing signs of use and fraying rather quickly.
As a climbing rope though, it will do absolutely fine for its affordable price, and should last you for quite a while.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ & 2″ thickness
- Material: polyester blend and heat shrink handles
- Cost: Medium to low end range.
Pros
- Fairly durable
- Low price
Cons
- Not made for consistent, high intensity use as a battle rope (great for climbing however)
NEXPro Battle Rope
The NEXPro battle rope is extremely hard-wearing and provides excellent resistance for strength training and climbing.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ thickness
- Material: 100% Dacron, with nylon sleeves and 7.5 inches heat shrink handles
- Cost: Medium price range
Pros
- Durable construction
- Cheaper
- Heat shrink grips
Cons
- Some complaints about minor fraying
Shogun Sports Battle Ropes
Tested and approved by a bunch of leaders in their respective industries, the Shogun Sports battle ropes are of outstanding quality.
Shogun Sports is a US Veteran Owned and Managed business who provide themselves in giving their audience the best possible workout material.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ & 2″ thickness
- Material: Poly Dacron with 7.5 inches heat shrink handles
- Cost: Higher price range.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Premium quality feel
- Heat shrink grips, easy to hold on to
- Comes with anchor strap kit and protective sleeve
Cons
- Costly
Firebreather TrainingBattle Ropes Workout Equipment with Anchor Kit
A quality product that comes complete with anchor kit, protection sleeve, and a workout e-book to give you some guidance as to which exercises you can do. The rope itself looks and performs well.
- Size: Available in 30 ft, 40 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ thickness
- Material: Poly Dacron with heat shrink handles
- Cost: Medium to high range, depending on the size you pick.
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Comes with anchor kit
- Heat shrink grips
Cons
- Some complaints about fraying
Garage Fit Battle Ropes
Garage Fit provide their customers with a heavy duty polyester blend battle rope that will last through many sessions of heavy usage. They ship fast, look good, and most important of all, perform well.
- Size: Available in 30 ft & 50 ft lengths with 1.5″ thickness
- Material: Polyester blend, with nylon sleeves and heat shrink handles
- Cost: Higher end price, but depends on chosen length.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Heavy weight
- Waterproof sleeves
- Comes with anchor strap and protector sleeve
Cons
- costly
Anchoring your climbing ropes
Most climbing/battle ropes included in this guide come with permanent anchor points and/or clips that you can use to drill into a wall.
Some also come with pre-made knots. If you need to purchase a mount separately, something like this, or this nylon strap kit, should make it a breeze to install, as well as help to preserve the overall condition of your rope.
You can have a look at simple knots to quickly anchor a standard piece of rope to something like a pull up bar, tree branch, a squat rack, beams, and more.
Next to setting up mounting brackets, a strong knot is probably the easiest way of securing your climbing rope.
The higher you can attach the rope the better, although less length just means you also have to hold your legs out in front of you, providing you with an opportunity of blasting your abs as well as your arms.
Exercises, workouts and techniques
Rope climbing is a truly testing strength and endurance exercise, especially favored by the military and some functional training orientated strength athletes.
They will put both your pulling, and grip strength to the test, using many different muscles at once to pull your bodyweight up and down. You can expect to gain strength and mass in your biceps and forearms, as well as a strong, and rough pair of hands.
Asides from rope climbing and the occasional game of tug of war with your dog, you can obviously use them as battle ropes, blasting your arms and core in a different way, or just a means of making any regular exercise harder due to the increased demand on grip strength.
For example, stick a kettlebell through a thick length of rope and try doing curls with that- you should feel a much more intense burn on those forearms. The same can be done for other exercises such as tricep extensions, rows, and more.
You can also use them in dragging and pulling exercises.
A fantastic opportunity to build explosive power, strength, and plenty of endurance, and condition your entire upper body with one movement. Simply thread one end of the rope through kettle bells, a sled, or even. bunch of sandbags of a wooden board, make a knot to fasten it, and you now have a powerful pulling tool.
Best climbing ropes – Our final words
In this guide we have reviewed the current best climbing ropes, coming at a wide variety of price ranges, making them available to anyone, to mix their training up, and get more results out of their workouts.
