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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.
| APPLICATION | REQUIREMENTS | RECOMMENDED | ALSO SUITABLE | AVOID |
| STRENGTH | HIGH LOAD BEARING | NYLON |
POLYESTER; POLYSTEEL (Both strong and durable, but without the elasticity of Nylon) |
COTTON, JUTE |
| TOW ROPE | STRENGTH; SHOCK ABSORPTION; ROPE THICKNESS | NYLON |
POLYESTER; POLYSTEEL (Both strong and shock absorbent, but without the elasticity of Nylon) |
POLYPROPYLENE, NATURAL FIBRE |
| LIFTING | LOAD BEARING STRENGTH; SHOCK ABSORPTION; ABRASION RESISTANCE | NYLON | – | COTTON; JUTE; HEMP |
| WINCHING | STRENGTH; SHOCK ABSORPTION; ABRASION RESISTANCE |
NYLON & POLYESTER (Less elasticity) |
POLYPROPYLENE; STAPLE SPUN (Cheaper,, not as strong) | COTTON; JUTE; HEMP |
| MOORING LINE | STRENGTH, 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 LINE | STRENGTH, 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 FISHING | STRENGTH; DURABILITY; WATER RESISTANT; UV RESISTANT | POLYSTEEL | POLYETHYLENE; POLYPROPYLENE (Both float) | NATURAL FIBRE ROPES |
| POTTING | WATER RESISTANCE; UV STABILITY; DURABILITY; ABRASION RESISTANCE |
LEADED POLYSTEEL / POLYSTEEL |
– | NATURAL FIBRE; POLYPROPYLENE |
| FLOATING ROPE | FLOATS; DOES NOT ABSORB WATER | POLYPROPYLENE | FLOATY POLYSTEEL; POLYETHYLENE, SYNTHETIC HEMP; STAPLE SPUN | NYLON; POLYESTER; NATURAL FIBRE ROPES |
| WORK AROUND ELECTRIC LINES | POOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR | POLYPROPYLENE | – | NATURAL FIBRE ROPES |
| TIE DOWNS | LOW STRETCH; STRONG; ABRASION RESISTANT | POLYESTER |
POLYPROPYLENE (Very low cost, not as strong) |
NYLON; COTTON |
| GENERAL PURPOSE, EVERY DAY | LOW COST, DURABLE, FLEXIBLE; SUPER STRENGTH NOT REQUIRED | POLYPROPYLENE |
POLYETHYLENE (Low cost, not as strong as Polypropylene) |
COTTON; NYLON; HEMP; POLYESTER |
| INDOOR DECORATIVE & CRAFT PROJECTS | VISUALLY AESTHETIC; EASY HANDLING; SOFT TO TOUCH; CAN BE DYED | COTTON | JUTE; SISAL (Cheaper than Cotton, pliable, visually aesthetic) | POLYESTER; POLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE |
| STAIR & BANISTER ROPE | VISUALLY AESTHETIC, NICE TO TOUCH | SYNTHETIC HEMP | HEMP (Has some natural odour); SISAL (Treat to soften) | POLYESTER; POLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE |
| DECKING ROPE | VISUALLY AESTHETIC; ROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANT | SYNTHETIC HEMP |
MANILA (Good natural resistance to UV, looks great. Will rot) |
COTTON; JUTE; SISAL |
| GARDEN ROPE | ROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANT; BIODEGRADABLE | SYNTHETIC 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 PLEASING | SYNTHETIC HEMP |
STAPLE SPUN (White textured surface, suitable for outdoor use & slightly cheaper) |
COTTON; JUTE |
| OUTDOOR CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA | ROT, UV & WEATHER RESISTANT; EASY HANDLING; SOFT TO TOUCH; AESTHETICALLY PLEASING | SYNTHETIC HEMP |
STAPLE SPUN (White textured surface, suitable for outdoor use & slightly cheaper) |
COTTON; JUTE |
| GYM CLIMBING ROPE | EASY HANDLING; GOOD GRIP; ROPE WIDTH | SYNTHETIC HEMP |
MANILA (Good grip but harsher on the hands, cheaper option) |
COTTON; POLYPROPYLENE |
| TUG OF WAR | EASY HANDLING; GOOD GRIP; ROPE WIDTH | SYNTHETIC HEMP |
MANILA (For indoor use) |
COTTON; POLYPROPYLENE |
| BATTLE ROPE | EASY HANDLING; GOOD GRIP; ROPE WIDTH | MANILA |
SYNTHETIC HEMP (Rot, water resistant for outdoor use) |
COTTON; POLYPROPYLENE |
| SWIMMING LINES | FLOATING ROPE; VISIBLE; WATER RESISTANCE | COLOURED POLYPROPYLENE | – | NYLON; POLYESTER; NATURAL FIBRE |
| CRICKET BOUNDARY | WHITE; ROT, UV, WATER RESISTANCE | 20MM – 32MM WHITE POLYPROPYLENE | – | COLOURED ROPE |
| CAT SCRATCH | TEXTURE; NATURAL; VISUALLY AESTHETIC |
6 – 10MM SISAL ROPE |
– | SYNTHETIC ROPES; MANILA |
| PET TOYS | NATURAL; SOFT; EASY HANDLING | COTTON | SISAL | POLYPROPYLENE; POLYETHYLENE |
| HORSE HALTERS | VERSATILE; SOFT; LIGHTWEIGHT; GOOD KNOT STABILIT | COTTON | POLYESTER (For those who prefer a stiffer rope) |
MANILA; SISAL |