The Best Rope Protectors

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A loaded rope moving over a sharp or rough edge is one of the fastest ways to destroy it, and in the worst case one of the few ways to actually cut it. Rope protectors solve a specific problem: they sit between rope and rock on toprope setups that run over a lip, on fixed lines, and on rigging for photography or route development. Designs range from simple wrap-around sleeves to flat edge mats and pads, differing in coverage, attachment, and staying power. We weighed how well each protector stays in position under a moving rope, coverage area, ease of attaching mid-line, durability of the material itself, and packed weight. Toprope climbers whose anchors extend over an edge should consider a protector standard equipment, riggers and developers will want the larger mats for extended sessions, and anyone unsure should read our short section on positioning, because a protector in the wrong spot protects nothing.