The Enduro Range

The idea behind the Enduro range was to deliberately create a rope construction ideally suited to UK climbers and ‘trad’ climbing, because for a lot of people, this very British style of climbing is still the one which means the most. To make sure that our concepts of what type of rope to build for this style of climbing were correct, we talked to lots of climbers of all abilities who mainly led on double ropes.

Generally, our ideas were confirmed, as we found that the overriding factors in rope choice were to make sure that the design was solid, confidence inspiring and long-lasting. When questioned further it seemed that this choice of a robust style was related to the wide range of activities that the typical British climber engages in and subjects their rope to, whether it be general short and long route cragging or serious multi-pitching, seas cliffs, abseiling and winter climbing. These are all situations where trust in a rope must be absolute.

Another factor was the range of rock types that could be encountered: the harshness of grit, the sharp edges of slate or rhyolite and the fierceness of granite all mean that unlike in sports climbing, there was more concern that these ropes would be ‘hammered’ and must be able to ‘take it’.

Finally there was a genuine concern that the rope must ‘feel’ solid and natural in the hand, knot well and handle well in double rope belay devices. Obviously we also considered in this category, those who were single rope trad climbing and who were also in the market for a tough unit: one of the stipulations here was that it must be beefy enough to cope with all round leading use as well as being great for top roping on a variety of rock types.

So to try and hit all these requisites we specifically designed these ropes to be the hardest wearing in their class, and in doing this, it seemed appropriate that the name ‘Enduro’, their original project code name, stuck. It is the ideal name to sum up the attributes of the final product.

Sheath construction statistics of Enduro range

To achieve this longevity without sacrificing performance, as we have described above, it was imperative to select the appropriate balance between sheath and core. For the Enduro ropes we have achieved this using heavier denier yarns and a higher than normal ratio of sheath to core yarns (described as Unique Sheath Plait or USP – see Ropes Features section). This makes the outer robust enough for all that the trad climber might throw at it, but importantly without sacrificing handling quality.

As mentioned earlier, the Enduro rope comes in two diameters to give a choice depending on the particular aims of the climber, the first of theses is further subdivided for greater choice:

Enduro / Super Enduro 9mm Ropes

A 9mm rope is still a great choice as an all-rounder and is almost an essential choice as you move through the leading grades in the UK and take advantage of the flexibility and safety of double ropes. A 9mm is still for many the first rope purchased and it gives the great balance of handling and durability which many are looking for. There are two choices in the 9mm:

Enduro 9mm Non Dry

Features: USP, BCC, DCC, MM
Although this rope features the same USP construction as the other Enduros, we have made it better value by leaving out the costly Super Dry treatment. Effectively it has been designed for the all round cragger who is generally not going out in winter or intending to be caught in the most miserable conditions. However, as noted in the features section, the core of the rope is still treated and will stop total saturation if caught in a downpour.

To make a perfect pair, this rope comes in a strong Red / Blue combination for easy identification at the crag and so that the two names do not sound similar when shouted in the wind – an important factor when sat in the ‘Pass while your mate struggles upwards in a bloody hoolie! These are a great starter choice in the double rope category, their price and performance combined with the extra ‘Enduro’ longevity, make them excellent value for money and a super-reliable product.

Super Enduro 9mm

Features: USP, BCC, DCC, SD, MM
The obvious difference between this and the standard Enduro is the addition of an extra Super-Dry treatment for the sheath. The advantage of this is that it extends the flexibility of usage of the Super-Enduro, making it a much better choice for winter use, as well as better for sea-cliffs or for the hardy all-weather cragger. Additionally this extra dry treatment adds longevity, as any coating on the outer will extend the life of the fibres by creating a barrier to wear and it will also feel smoother in the hand.

Effectively this rope is designed for the more adventurous all-rounder and those who can afford a little bit more to give their rope a little extra life and a slightly improved feel. Once again to make a good combination, the Super-Enduro 9mm comes in two distinct colours: Yellow and Green. Again, these have very different sounds to their names for screaming out on miserable Scottish days, as well as a light / dark combination, making for easier identification in the gloom…you never know when you will get caught out! This is a really good rope for those doing more, and who are looking for reliability in all conditions and a good cost / longevity ratio in a traditional diameter rope.

Super Enduro 10.5mm

Features: USP, BCC, DCC, SD, MM
The beefy ‘daddy’ of the range, the Super-Enduro 10.5mm rope can be considered in three ways: a perfect starter rope for those seeking long term reliability and who are not specialising in any arena yet; as a classic all-rounder, perfect for high value long term climbing wall use, top roping or leading simpler routes outdoors where ropework is less complicated and abseiling isn’t on the agenda; or as a very tough ‘dogging’ or ‘working’ rope for sports climbers not wishing to trash their specialist lighter redpoint rope.

Nowadays, the 10.5mm rope has inherited the mantle of the all-rounder from the very heavy and old-fashioned 11mm and is certainly the best choice for great handling in this super-tough category. To keep it this way our Super-Enduro comes Super-Dry coated for extra feel and resilience. Only available in one colour – no chance of mixing this up with a 9mm – but in 50m 60m and 70m lengths to suit a wide range of uses, this rope is a really versatile ‘workhorse’ and will see you through many different activities.

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