Common Applications

A quick guide to which ropes are commonly used across a range applications.

Please note that this is a general guide only. You should base your choice of rope on the specific requirements of its intended use.

 

APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTSRECOMMENDED ALSO SUITABLE AVOID
STRENGTHHIGH LOAD BEARINGNYLON

POLYESTER; POLYSTEEL

(Both strong and durable, but without the elasticity of Nylon)

COTTON, JUTE
TOW ROPE STRENGTH; SHOCK ABSORPTION; ROPE THICKNESSNYLON

POLYESTER; POLYSTEEL

(Both strong and shock absorbent, but without the elasticity of Nylon)

POLYPROPYLENE, NATURAL FIBRE
LIFTINGLOAD BEARING STRENGTH; SHOCK ABSORPTION; ABRASION RESISTANCE NYLONCOTTON; JUTE; HEMP
WINCHINGSTRENGTH; SHOCK ABSORPTION; ABRASION RESISTANCE

NYLON &

POLYESTER (Less elasticity)

POLYPROPYLENE; STAPLE SPUN (Cheaper,, not as strong)COTTON; JUTE; HEMP
MOORING LINESTRENGTH, SHOCK ABSORPTION; WATER RESISTANCE

NYLON

(Note: will lose some strength when wet)

POLYESTER; POLYPROPYLENE; STAPLE SPUN; SYNTHETIC HEMP

(For a more traditional colour and look)

COTTON; JUTE; HEMP
ANCHOR LINESTRENGTH, SHOCK ABSORPTION; WATER RESISTANCE; SINKS

NYLON

(Note: will lose some strength when wet)

POLYESTER;

(Not as strong as Nylon but when wet retains strength & is more pleasant to handle)

COTTON; JUTE; HEMP
COMMERCIAL FISHINGSTRENGTH; DURABILITY; WATER RESISTANT; UV RESISTANTPOLYSTEELPOLYETHYLENE; POLYPROPYLENE (Both float)NATURAL FIBRE ROPES
POTTING WATER RESISTANCE; UV STABILITY; DURABILITY; ABRASION RESISTANCE

LEADED

POLYSTEEL / POLYSTEEL

NATURAL FIBRE; POLYPROPYLENE
FLOATING ROPEFLOATS; DOES NOT ABSORB WATERPOLYPROPYLENEFLOATY POLYSTEEL; POLYETHYLENE, SYNTHETIC HEMP; STAPLE SPUNNYLON; POLYESTER; NATURAL FIBRE ROPES
WORK AROUND ELECTRIC LINESPOOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORPOLYPROPYLENENATURAL FIBRE ROPES
TIE DOWNSLOW STRETCH; STRONG; ABRASION RESISTANTPOLYESTER

POLYPROPYLENE

(Very low cost, not as strong)

NYLON;

COTTON

GENERAL PURPOSE, EVERY DAYLOW COST, DURABLE, FLEXIBLE; SUPER STRENGTH NOT REQUIREDPOLYPROPYLENE

POLYETHYLENE

(Low cost, not as strong as Polypropylene)

COTTON;

NYLON;

HEMP;

POLYESTER

INDOOR DECORATIVE & CRAFT PROJECTSVISUALLY AESTHETIC; EASY HANDLING; SOFT TO TOUCH; CAN BE DYEDCOTTONJUTE; SISAL (Cheaper than Cotton, pliable, visually aesthetic)POLYESTER; POLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE
STAIR & BANISTER ROPEVISUALLY AESTHETIC, NICE TO TOUCHSYNTHETIC HEMPHEMP (Has some natural odour); SISAL (Treat to soften)POLYESTER; POLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE
DECKING ROPEVISUALLY AESTHETIC; ROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANTSYNTHETIC HEMP

MANILA

(Good natural resistance to UV, looks great. Will rot)

COTTON; JUTE; SISAL
GARDEN ROPEROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANT; BIODEGRADABLESYNTHETIC HEMP

MANILA; SISAL; HEMP

(Good natural resistance to UV, look great, Will rot)

COTTON; POLYESTER; POLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE
REPLACEMENT ROPE LADDER ROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANT; EASY HANDLING; SOFT TO TOUCH; AESTHETICALLY PLEASINGSYNTHETIC HEMP

STAPLE SPUN

(White textured surface, suitable for outdoor use & slightly cheaper)

COTTON; JUTE
OUTDOOR CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANT; EASY HANDLING; SOFT TO TOUCH; AESTHETICALLY PLEASINGSYNTHETIC HEMP

STAPLE SPUN

(White textured surface, suitable for outdoor use & slightly cheaper)

COTTON;

JUTE

GYM CLIMBING ROPEEASY HANDLING; GOOD GRIP; ROPE WIDTHSYNTHETIC HEMP

MANILA

(Good grip but harsher on the hands, cheaper option)

COTTON; POLYPROPYLENE
TUG OF WAREASY HANDLING; GOOD GRIP; ROPE WIDTHSYNTHETIC HEMP

MANILA

(For indoor use)

COTTON; POLYPROPYLENE
BATTLE ROPEEASY HANDLING; GOOD GRIP; ROPE WIDTHMANILA

SYNTHETIC HEMP

(Rot, water resistant for outdoor use)

COTTON; POLYPROPYLENE
SWIMMING LINESFLOATING ROPE; VISIBLE; WATER RESISTANCECOLOURED POLYPROPYLENENYLON; POLYESTER; NATURAL FIBRE
CRICKET BOUNDARYWHITE; ROT, UV, WATER RESISTANCE20MM – 32MM WHITE POLYPROPYLENECOLOURED ROPE
CAT SCRATCHTEXTURE; NATURAL; VISUALLY AESTHETIC

6 – 10MM

SISAL ROPE

SYNTHETIC ROPES; MANILA
PET TOYSNATURAL; SOFT; EASY HANDLINGCOTTONSISALPOLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE
HORSE HALTERSVERSATILE; SOFT; LIGHTWEIGHT; GOOD KNOT STABILITCOTTONPOLYESTER (For those who prefer a stiffer rope)

MANILA;

SISAL