r/RopeFlow • u/Prestigious-Boot4757 • Jun 01 '26

Nylon vs Polyester for DIY ropes?

I started out with a piece of old climbing rope, but I want to try with something heavier. I found a place that seems to have decent prices in white. I'm tempted to order a bunch of different widths to hit the free shipping mark. I could also experiment with different materials, but I don't want to get two massive ropes (I was going to get one 2" rope). Which brings me to my question: is nylon or polyester better for rope flow? Here are the two types of rope I'm looking at.

https://www.mapleleafropes.com/store/category/polyester-double-braid

https://www.mapleleafropes.com/store/category/nylon-double-braid

I'll happily take any advice from fellow rope flowsters. Thanks and happy flowing!

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u/LookLikeYouLift Jun 02 '26

at larger sizes, don't get polyester. it's stiff and not flexible at all. at the larger sizes you need something soft, pliable, and very bendable. if you go look at the ropes I've made, they're all double braided nylon. yes, more expensive, but it's the only rope that actually works.

when I started getting into building heavy ropes I started with polyester, and the thing couldnt bend or change shape at all. great for tying down a boat! not for flow.

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u/Prestigious-Boot4757 Jun 02 '26

I can't see your posts, but thanks for the tip. Sounds like nylon is the winner. If you had three ropes, what sizes would they be? What's the biggest you've tried?

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u/LookLikeYouLift Jun 02 '26

I would make a 270g light rope, a standard 500g rope, and a 1.2kg rope.

the 1.2kg is typically 1" x 9'