Petzl Contact Standard Climbing Rope – 9.8mm

We’ve read the reviews across the web for the Petzl Contact Standard Climbing Rope – 9.8mm and summarize the results below:

Universal Ranking

PeakScore: 78 (out of 100)
User Rating: 4.3 stars 
Expert Rating: 3 stars

Number of Ratings Reviewed: 51

Pros & Cons

Reasons to buy:

User Reviews

  • Doesn’t get tangled or twisted for an easy-to-use rope.
  • Feeds smoothly through your hands and the belay device for added functionality.
  • The sheath is soft and makes handling and clipping easy and efficient.
  • Provides soft catches while still maintaining strength and reliability.
  • Works well with almost all assisted braking belay devices for compatibility.
  • Very easy to flake out so you won’t have a lot of knots while using the rope.
  • The middle marker is clearly visible which makes it easy to see and provides extra safety.
  • Easy to take in or give out slack due to the smooth feel.

Expert Reviews

  • Can be efficiently used as an all-day workhorse rope for a variety of conditions.
  • Good choice for more experienced climbers who can use a skinnier rope confidently.
  • Can feed through a belay device smoothly while top-roping.
  • Gives a balance between a lightweight rope and versatility for multiple conditions.
  • Provides a versatile rope with a balance of durability and handling.
  • Handles very well during performance-climbing and has a soft feel while catching due to the elasticity.

Reasons NOT to buy:

User Reviews

  • Some reports of the sheath wearing out fairly quickly during use.

Expert Reviews

  • The clipping isn’t as smooth as a skinner line would be.

Summary:

The Petzl Contact Standard Climbing Rope – 9.8mm is a versatile, high-performance, and smooth option for experienced climbers who want an all-around, workhorse rope. Despite some user reports of the sheath wearing out, the majority of owners of this rope have applauded the easy-handling, soft catches, and reliability. This is a durable rope that can easily feed through belay devices, and provide soft catches during otherwise dangerous falls.

Multimedia:

Note: User and expert rankings were reviewed across the web. Some expert reviews include these: 1, 2, 3, 4.