Buying a climbing rope is a daunting experience, particularly for new climbers looking to switch from indoor climbing to the wild outdoor facilities. There are various features and options to determine; one of the choices is a dry treated climbing rope, among others.
The treated rope has smooth handling and robust strength retention, making it the go-to option for serious climbers. Keep in mind that your rope is your lifeline while you are climbing a rock.
It’s for this reason that the decision you make is deeply your reference. Every rope has its place in the climbing world, but let’s dig deeper into the fundamentals of treated climbing rope.
What Is a Dry Treated Climbing Rope?
It’s a rope that is impregnated with a solution known as fluoropolymer that assists in repelling water. The cord has water-repellent properties that reduce the amount of water they absorb.
The rope is layered with water-resistant coating on the sheath (outside) and core (inside) to help deflect the water molecules on both parts.
However, note that the dry treated rope is not fully waterproof in the climbing sport but dramatically increases water resistance.
Last update on 2024-12-18 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Despite the coating level, it will still be damp when left exposed in a wet environment, the only thing that changes is the amount of water it will soak in, and the less it absorbs, the safer the climber will be.
Generally, the dry treated ropes are classified as either dry core or dry sheath. As its name suggests, the dry sheath ropes have their sheath taken through the weaving process where they are soaked in the water-repellant coating, while the dry core ropes are coated in both the core and sheath during that weaving process.
However, there are more other dry rope categories. You might come across; they are labeled as “double dry,” “single dry,” among others. Though, generally, the critical difference between them is the number of times manufacturers have treated the rope with the water-repellent coating.
What Are Treated Ropes Made for?
Note that these ropes are not only meant for mountain climbing, alpine climbing, and ice climbing; the treatment is also helpful to keep the cord from water absorption.
It also increases the rope’s lifespan by ensuring that it doesn’t collect crud, dirt, sand, etc. The slick treatment is vital to help the rope slide over the rock edges and minimize the rate of the rope abrasion.
Manufacturers design the dry rope for use in climbing scenarios and environments where one could encounter high humidity or moisture levels.
An example is when mounting the snow-laden mountains or hiking up tundra and glaciers, multi-pitching in the alpine areas where heavy rains are most common. In such instances, the dry rope is all you will require to achieve your climbing goals successfully.
Why Is Dry Treated Climbing Rope Good for You?
The water-repellent aspect in dry ropes is one of the major selling points for dry climbing rope. Though the properties do not make the rope waterproof despite the level and coating, the feature will only reduce the amount of water absorbed. Keep in mind that even the most honored dry strings aren’t entirely waterproof!
The treatment, in turn, helps the climbing rope to last for a lifetime. It stays dynamic and keeps its initial strength after it is removed from the package.
You need your yarn to be more durable even after it’s exposed to wet conditions. Practically, the outside coating is as well more durable in various other states too. The treatment makes the rope work smoothly.
When damp, the dry treated climbing ropes will lose less dynamic stretch, unlike the non-dry ropes. The treatment keeps some water off the fibers to ensure they don’t absorb the moisture directly.
In addition, dry treated ropes coated with different sheath treatments have exceptional durability. They tend to resist edge abrasions. Though the dry treated ropes are more expensive compared to non-dry ropes, the majority of climbers have realized that they barely tear and wear out quickly and take a longer time to fray.
However, while shopping for the dry ropes, watch out for the ones with different coatings on them. Some manufactures will sell ropes that can hold more abuse and might not last or end up lying lifeless after a few sessions. Look for the best coating.
The Downside of Dry Treated Climbing Rope
One of the most devastating aspects while shopping for a dry rope is the pricing. It’s the immediate key difference between a dry rope and a non-dry rope. However, the price differs depending on factors such as length, brand, among others. But, generally, these treated ropes are often expensive.
As you keep cleaning the dry rope, the fibers will constantly break down as the weave gets looser. It makes the ropes appear fuzzy and grow thicker.
You realize that the non-treated climbing rope may work better than the dry rope due to its tight weave being more moisture-resistant than the old dry treated option that has more significant gaps in between the strands and a looser weave. In such a situation, the old dry rope will let in more moisture into the core. Learn what you can do with old climbing ropes.
Though the treatment makes the rope sheath easy and smooth to handle, some climbers claim that a knot could slip and coil undo easily due to its smoothness. However, it’s a claim that is yet to be scientifically proven. There are other cons of using a wet-dry treated rope. It tends to be more vulnerable to damages but not more than the non-dry rope.
Despite the few downsides of the dry treated climbing rope, the coating has a significant impact on it. It takes a more extended period before it wears off as the repellent effects weaken over time.
Besides, the treatment will not just wear out, it takes a more extended period before it wears off and the fibers break down. There is a considerable value despite the high cost of the treated climbing rope in the long run. Here you can access more detailed information about dry ropes vs non-dry ropes.
How to Dry Your Rope Once It’s Wet
After a long outdoor climbing session, your treated rope might have soaked in some moisture, making it damp. Therefore, you need to unpack it from the backpack to dry it and prepare it for your next adventure.
While wet, the cord loses some of its strength and more of the shock-absorbing capability. Using a damp rope will get the climber all wet; they are complex and heavy to handle and tend to be less effective when they freeze. Unfortunately, if you are ice climbing, it’s a certainty.
To dry the rope, you can flake it out on a floor, probably indoors, to prevent it from direct sunlight. The UV rays could pose a danger to your cord, but ensure the air circulation is excellent to speed the drying process.
In short, uncoil your rope and spread the strand on the ground or leave it hanging in the washroom to give it the best chance to dry totally.
Last update on 2024-12-18 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
How to Wash and Care for a Treated Rope
Cleaning a dry treated rope is a unique method. You can’t do the washing as you do when cleaning regular climbing ropes. Keep in mind that the coating will get off faster if the treated cord gets in touch with a lot of water.
So, it’s best if you avoid a lot of water while cleaning it. You should use a brush to clean it after a climbing session; it tends to protect the coating for a more extended period.
Mostly, it’s critically crucial to focus more on the dirtier areas than others while cleaning. If you opt for detergent, ensure to check on the label instruction given first. Some will tell the kind of detergent to use, whether to use lukewarm or cold water, among other details, while others will recommend a gentle hand wash.
The detergent you opt for should be a synthetic detergent you can easily access from outdoor retailers. However, most manufacturers will recommend washing treated ropes without using any soap.
Final Thoughts on Dry Treated Climbing Ropes
Purchasing a dry treated climbing rope takes more consideration and thought than you might think, particularly when looking for the features that will match your climbing needs. Despite the pricing that comes with the dry ropes, they are the most effective and comfortable to handle for your climbing adventures.
Whenever you choose to do outside climbing, the dry treated rope is the best option to reap multiple benefits; as mentioned earlier, the sheath treatment is there to minimize abrasion significantly.
For people who consistently go hiking in wet areas, it’s highly recommended to use a dry treated rope with both a core and sheath treatment.
The only instances that a non-dry rope is heartily recommendable are when you are using the local gym or on budget and can’t afford the treated one, or perhaps you don’t adventure in dirty, wet, or sandy conditions more often.
If you are in for the price, it’s impressive to buy the excellent and powerful dry treated climbing rope for its crazy-low water absorption power and semi-permanent middle marking.
Last update on 2024-12-18 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
