Let’s be honest – buying rope can be confusing. At SEACO, we work in this industry every day, so we are familiar with the terms used to describe various products, and we know what ropes will work well in which applications.
With this article, we’d like to help add to your knowledge of rope purchasing by explaining the differences between static rope vs. dynamic ropes. Ropes in each of these two categories can offer unique performance characteristics, and you want the right one for the job at hand.
If you still need help to pick out the right rope after reviewing this article, our team will be happy to assist. Contact us today to get started!
Two Quick Definitions of Static Rope vs Dynamic Rope
You can’t pick between static rope or dynamic rope before first understanding what each of these two types of rope offers. Here are basic definitions to help you understand the big difference between the two –
- When placed under a load, dynamic rope stretches
- Under the same type of load, static rope does not stretch
It’s just that simple. Is one better than the other? No – they are both important, but using the wrong one in the wrong situation can be dangerous.
Different materials are used to create these differing performance characteristics. For a dynamic rope, you’ll typically see nylon used in the rope’s construction, as it has the right characteristics to create the stretch needed. On the other hand, they often use polyester when creating static ropes, since it doesn’t offer much give.
The Climbing World
The conversation of static vs. dynamic rope is most often seen in the world of climbing. Climbers use countless ropes for various purposes, and picking the right one can literally be a matter of life and death. Depending on the type of climbing or mountaineering you like to do, you’ll need a combination of static and dynamic ropes in your pack.
Dynamic ropes are required in applications where the rope will need to arrest a fall. If the climber falls while attached to a rope, it is necessary for that rope to stretch at the bottom of the fall to slow the descent. If they used a static rope in this situation, the stop at the bottom would be sudden and dangerous, and the line may even break.
Static rope, by contrast, provides the climber with plenty of control and stability. So rappelling is the perfect place for a static rope. When rappelling, the climber does not want stretch – instead; the climber wants to have total control. There are also plenty of other jobs in and around the climbing environment that a static line can handle.
Ropes come in varying degrees of elasticity, so it’s possible to pick something that falls somewhere in between static and dynamic, so you can get some of the best of each.
Know What You Are Using
It’s important to always know what kind of rope you are using. In most cases, you’ll see on the rope whether it is dynamic or static, as the manufacturer should mark it somewhere. Of course, it’s possible the tag or marking will wear over the years, in that case, don’t pull on the rope with two hands to figure out if it will flex, as you probably won’t pull hard enough to tell the difference. If a rope has aged to where you can’t be sure how it will perform, it may be time to order some new lines that you can trust.
Which One Do You Need?
SEACO is proud to carry high-quality ropes in a variety of categories, so you are sure to find what you need within our collection. Whether it is static or dynamic ropes, or you need a few of both, SEACO should be your first choice. Thank you for stopping by and we are excited to serve you. Contact us today to order!