Rope talk: Single, Double, Half, Twin – What’s the difference?

Ropes can be confusing when we are starting out climbing. It can take a bit of time to become familiar with the terminology, but it’s important, because the rope is one of your key bits of safety kit as a climber. If you aren’t sure about something, you should always ask someone in the know. Asking in a specialist shop, like Outside in Hathersage or Joe Brown in Llanberis is a good idea, as they will share their expert knowledge, or tell you if they don’t know the answer. 

Here’s a short lowdown on rope terminology, to equip you with a basic understanding, so you can make informed choices when you invest in this crucial bit of safety kit:

Single Rope

This is a rope which is safety rated and designed for use on its own. If you’re climbing indoors on a top rope or lead, or sport climbing, you’ll usually be using single ropes.