Polyplus Outdoor Climbing Ropes

Thanks in large part to Brooks Kubik’s Dinosaur Bodyweight Training Course (which features top-quality manila climbing ropes from www.functionalhandstrength.com) training involving climbing ropes is now more popular than ever… Even more popular than when Dudley Allen Sargent was appointed the head of Hemenway Gymnasium at Harvard U. back in the late 1800’s. Sargent created what was probably the finest physical training facility, the likes of which has never been seen before or since. Imagine an indoor gym the size of three football fields outfitted with climbing ropes, still rings, Indian clubs, rope ladders, boxing rings, and much more.

Anyhow, these days a whole new generation of primates-in-training are ready to leave solid ground behind and build a “Gorilla Grip” and powerful, functional full-body strength with an “anti-gravity” training program filled with rope climbing, rope swinging, timed hangs, arm-over-arm movements, and more.

The big problem, however, is that there just aren’t any good places to hang a rope inside most homes…

1-1/2″ Polyplus Climbing Rope



Braided Rope End

But what you might have is a perfect spot outside somewhere or you may even build a freestanding climbing tower like Jiujitsu Champ Steve Maxwell… Although now you have another problem: manila and the elements don’t get along very well. You see, when manila gets wet, it is susceptible to rot, mildew and rope splinters (which you don’t even want to think about getting in your hand.) Not to mention that when manila does start to rot, it does so from the inside out – while a rope may look perfectly fine, you don’t want it to “let you down” in any sense.

In plain English, while our indoor manila climbing ropes are a really fantastic piece of equipment, they are NOT meant for outdoor use, neither the material nor the attachment hardware will function properly if left outside in the elements for long periods.

The solution, is to get one of our Synthetic Polyplus Outdoor Climbing Ropes which are ready to battle the elements and have you swinging from tree to tree like Tarzan in no time flat.

You see, we’ve had synthetic outdoor ropes available since the very beginning but just hadn’t gotten around to putting a full product page together. Well all of a sudden, more and more people kept asking about them until finally we were in the middle of a full-scale rope-climbing riot. Now for your training pleasure we feature a detailed introductory page laying out everything you need to know about our synthetic climbing ropes from A-Z.

Material:

Polyplus ropes are made of a lightweight, synthetic core with a soft and durable polyester outside jacket. This material was chosen specifically for its excellent moisture and UV ray resistant properties. This type of rope is the choice of most adventure rope course programs due to its tremendous durability and dependability in harsh conditions. These synthetic ropes will not develop “rope splinters” like manila when they are left out in the elements.

This material looks and feels similar to cotton or dacron, but don’t let the soft touch fool you, you need a rope as tough as you are and this is it. Further, as the rope gets used, it will get tufted and easier to climb. As it wears and gets more textured, it will offer a firmer grip.

Polyplus Climbing Rope vs. Manila Climbing Rope

Attachment Loop:

One of the main differences between outdoor and indoor ropes is the attachment mechanism. Unlike our manila indoor ropes which feature a steel clamp with a welded loop, the attachment mechanism on these Polyplus Outdoor Climbing Ropes are woven directly into the rope itself via a galvanized steel eye “thimble.” This feature provides the absolute best in terms of security and durability. As a further benefit, if you should decide to swing at all on outdoor rope (as they are often used in outdoor rope courses) or use the rope for pulling or dragging, there is little or no actual wear and tear on the rope material since the steel thimble takes the brunt of the friction and not the rope material itself.

One of the biggest advantages to purchasing an institutional grade climbing rope is having the reassurance that it was cut, fastened, and assembled by a trained expert who knows what they are doing so that you get the maximum possible benefits (not to mention safety) out of your rope when it is in use.

With ropes, especially those purchased from elsewhere, there is a significant likelihood that it will unravel during heavy use if it is not fastened correctly. Duct tape can only go so far before you have a major problem on your hands.

Have no fear, our Polyplus Outdoor Climbing Ropes are all hand-braided one at a time by our master ropesmith.

Attachment Hardware:

In order to hang your outdoor rope in the most effective manner, we recommend a galvanized “chain sling” attachment system which provides a very efficient method of attaching or detaching your rope. A chain sling is included with each Polyplus Outdoor Climbing Rope order.

Available Lengths:

Just like our indoor manila climbing ropes, our standard lengths for outdoor polyplus ropes are 15, 18, 20, 22, and 24 feet. We can also cut them to any length you need, so email if you desire a custom length.

Get your outdoor rope now and get climbin’!

Train hard,

John Wood

Another Option to Consider:

On occasion, we get a request to do a rope with an indoor fitting but made of poly-plus outdoor rope material. Yes, we can absolutely make it happen. If you are interested in a rope like this,  please contact us for details.

“Indoor” Polyplus Climbing Rope

Please note: for all Rope orders there is a 10-14 business day lead time as these ropes are manufactured one at a time by hand. Please note that custom ropes (those that include knots, custom lengths, etc.) will require a lead time of 24 business days. Please plan accordingly.We will not accept returns on custom rope orders. Please ensure we have all of the specifications for your rope before placing the order.

• Manila Climbing Ropes are designed to be stored indoors. If you are looking for a rope that you can leave outside in the snow and rain, we recommend going with our PolyPlus Outdoor Climbing Rope. It is specifically built to withstand the elements and will last much longer if left outside.
• Unless you are an experienced climber who is familiar with the increased difficulty level offered by 2-inch diameter climbing ropes, we STRONGLY recommend that you order our 1.5-inch diameter rope. 1.5″ is widely considered the standard diameter for climbing ropes and will provide more than enough challenge for any athlete.
• Other than our five standard manila rope lengths, we have other custom options available. These include longer lengths, thicker ropes, different kinds of materials, attachment hardware, rest knots, etc. We also have tug-of-war ropes available. Please note that custom ropes will require a lead time of 24 business days, so plan accordingly. If you are interested in any custom options, please contact us for details.
• Custom rope orders must be paid IN FULL before we will place the order. NO EXCEPTIONS!

All of Our Ropes are
Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

Please note: Safe climbing area and soft landing surface is required under all climbing equipment. The use of outdoor climbing ropes and/or rope course activities has inherent risk. Climbing to unsafe heights where a fall will cause serious injury or even death requires professional use and training of belaying equipment. Installation, use and inspection must be made by qualified parties. It is the responsibility of the owner or manager of the program to receive and maintain professional training and upkeep on the safe operation of their activities and equipment. Rope has a limited lifetime affected by varying outdoor environmental factors and various degrees of usage. Inspect frequently and replace regularly. Discard used rope to avoid misuse.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Swinging on a rope requires special attention. A smooth, soft,  obstacle free area must be provided. Attach only to framework that exceeds any weight applied to rope. Proper inspection and maintenance of equipment, framework, attachment hardware and surface under equipment must be made before and after each use. Replace rope and/or hardware at any signs of wear. Never allow more than one climber on rope at a time.