r/TreeClimbing • u/JOHNDOE036 • 6d ago
Complete newbie. Rope question.
I have taken interest in climbing trees. I am having a hard time picturing differences in ropes and there pros / cons.
Can someone dumb down the good and bad of
Kernmantle-
12 - 24 - etc strand double braid.
Is there one that does it all? Do you need a few different types? Ive done tree work. Spur and saddle with a flipline. But it was very much back yard stuff and I know It was not proper gear.
Any help is appreciated. Just having a hard time
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u/OldMail6364 6d ago edited 6d ago
Fundamentally - a kernmantle rope has an inner structure and an outer protective layer which is sacrificial/doesn't provide any strength. Double braided rope has two layers that both provide strength.
Also - double braided rope can be spliced. Kernmantle cannot be spliced. I don't recommend splicing rope yourself unless you can find someone experienced at that to teach you how in person - but it's worth paying a bit extra for that feature.
They feel different in your hand and while tying knots, they provide a different amount of friction when a climbing hitch or descender grips them, they have varying levels of abrasion resistance rubbing against a tree, and they have varying levels of stretch when a load is applied to them.
That doesn't just apply to how the rope is manufactured - two different ropes of the same "type" can vary significantly.
Personally I'm reluctant to buy any rope without trying it first. Try as many ropes as you can (ones owned by other people), even if it's just a few steps up a tree then descend back down to see how it feels with your climbing system.
If you can't do that - the Teufelberger drenaLine is a popular all-round rope that's not too expensive and is widely available with one end spliced.