PMI Climbing

Slings 

• Shorter slings (12 in. or less): Sometimes used for tying off pitons 
• Single-length slings (24 in.): Good for alpine quickdraws
• Double-length slings (48 in.): Use to reduce rope drag, extend protection, built two-point anchors or as alpine quickdraws 
• Extra-long slings (72-96 in.): Great for looping large rocks and building three-point anchors

Webbing  

• Tubular webbing is standard for climbing
• Modular webbing is used for lashing gear and backpack straps

Climbing cord  

• Available in diameters from 1mm up to 9mm
• Thicker cord is stronger and more load bearing but also heavier

Materials 

• Nylon and Perlon: Affordable, strong, hold knots well, good stretch and high melting temperatures to handle dynamic falls
• Dyneema, Dynex and Spectra: Excellent strength-to-weight ratio, ultralight and highly UV resistant

Dynamic vs. static ropes

• Dynamic: Designed to stretch to absorb the impact of a falling climber
• Static: Stretch very little, so they shouldn't be used in cases where a fall could occur; ideal for rescue, rappelling and hauling

Ropes categories

• Single rope: Most climbers buy single ropes, which are designed to be used by themselves and not with another rope; common for sport and trad climbing
• Half rope: When climbing with half ropes, you use two ropes, clipping alternately for reduced rope drag; common for trad climbing on wandering routes, mountaineering and ice climbing
• Twin ropes: Also a two-rope system, but both strands are clipped through each piece of protection

Diameter and length

• Thinner ropes (about 8.5-9.5mm) are lighter, less durable and require more skill to handle safely
• Thicker ropes are generally more abrasion-resistant; ideal for beginners or frequent use
• Dynamic ropes range in length from 30-80 meters. A 60-meter rope is the standard and will meet your needs most of the time.

Dry treatment

Some ropes include a dry treatment that reduces water absorption. Dry-treated ropes are more expensive than non-dry options.

• Dry-treated: Dry ropes can have a dry core, a dry sheath or both. Ropes with both core and sheath offer the greatest moisture protection.
• Non-dry: A non-dry rope is probably sufficient for sport climbing