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.