Choosing the right material is perhaps the most important decision you need to make when selecting a new rope. Yes, other elements like length, thickness, and strength are important as well, but everything starts with material. If the material you select is not right for the job at hand, the other details won’t do you any good.
In this post, we are going to discuss two popular rope materials—nylon and polyester. Each of these materials can make for a great rope, but that doesn’t mean they are interchangeable or that they will work for every type of task. With a quick education on this topic, you can be sure to pick out the right option for your needs. Here’s everything you need to know about nylon vs. polyester rope!
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They Have Plenty in Common
Before we get into the differences between these two rope materials, we should point out that they do share some common ground. As synthetic materials, each of these options delivers excellent strength. If you need a strong rope, you will do well to choose one of these materials as opposed to a natural fiber. Other shared benefits include resistance to UV rays and long-term durability that may make them a better value than natural ropes.
Additionally, both nylon and polyester rope are impressively versatile. Rather than needing to buy a new rope for each specific task on your list, you can use either of these ropes for a full range of applications.
But how do you know which is the right one for the job at hand? Let’s look at what makes each product different, so you can make an informed buying decision.
How Much Stretch Do You Need?
The amount of stretch or give that a rope offers is one of its important characteristics. Stretch in a rope isn’t inherently a good or bad thing. It’s just a feature that you may or may not want depending on the application. If you are looking for a rope with some give, turn to nylon rope. This material is going to allow for some give under load, but it will then return to its previous state after the load is removed.
On the other hand, polyester rope is stiffer and resists that stretching action. If you need to tie something down firmly and have it stay in place, a polyester rope will make a great choice, because it doesn’t give like nylon.
Will the Rope Be Used in Water?
Many boaters prefer nylon rope over polyester, as it provides some give. The extra bit of give that nylon provides is ideal for dockline, fender line, anchor line, and other boating marine applications where you are dealing with ever-changing water environments like swells.
While nylon is preferred for boating applications, polyester rope can be a great choice for wet environments as well. Polyester does not absorb water like some other rope materials. Instead, it remains firm and strong. This can make it handy for static applications in wet environments where you don’t want your rope to give. For instance, if you need a reliable outdoor rope in a rain-prone area, polyester can be a good choice.
Both Are Tough – But One is Tougher
When you plan to subject your ropes to a harsh environment where abrasion will be common, you can do well with either nylon or polyester rope. Both of these materials are resistant to abrasion and will hold up to quite a bit of rough treatment before they start to wear down.
With that said, you’ll want to lean toward polyester to get the best abrasion resistance. This material is slightly tougher than nylon, so you can run it over all sorts of surfaces without compromising the strength or performance of the rope.
Making Your Choice
If you are buying ropes for your boat, the choice is easy. Purchase nylon ropes and don’t look back. They are the standard choice for marine applications, and for good reason. You’ll get a long useful life out of a nylon rope when used around the water, and the strength of the rope won’t suffer when it’s wet.
If shock absorption is a concern and you need your rope to give a little bit under load, nylon is preferred to polyester. Otherwise, stick with polyester to get outstanding strength, durability, and value.
Order Your New Rope Today
At SEACO, we take pride in the quality of our rope and our customer service. We are here to make sure you get the best product at the right price, each and every time. If you need help choosing the right rope, or if you have any other product questions, feel free to contact us right away for assistance. Thank you for visiting SEACO!