1/2 or 7/16 climbing line

[TDunk]

I'm looking for some new rope but am in a toss-up between what size would be better. I'm a big guy (6'3", 220Lbs) and have had 1/2" up to this point and have been happy with it. I've been looking at the Yale XTC (16 strand), Lava, Blue Moon, and the Arbormaster 16 strand lines. I'm leaning more towards the 1/2, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks

 

[lego1970]

While I've never used 7/16 lines for doing tree work, I do have a couple static 7/16 repelling lines. They are plenty strong enough, however they are smaller in the hand and therefore harder to grasp as well as the 1/2 lines. I've always wanted to try a 5/8 line for better grip but don't know if the Blake hitches work good on a 5/8 line, plus the added weight. Good luck.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

im climbing on XTC Fire (16 strand) i like it alot a lil slick at first and i have been told by others on here it stays that way for a lil while but on the other hand the abrasion resitence is great. ive always used 1/2 so idk about the others from what i hear its pretty good stuff

western PA huh? you seen my thread on havin a climbers get together in Allegeny Twp. just to see how other guys do it meet some ppl from the site, learn somthing maybe? not sure when yet but let me know if your interested

 

[TreeClimber57]

I have always used 1/2", so can not comment on 7/16" line.

 

[TackleTree]

always used 1/2 inch and have been very happy with it. I am 6'2 285 lbs so I stretch it to about 7/16 lol. I say stick with what works plus when you retire the 1/2 inch you can use it to rig.

 

[epicklein22]

always used 1/2 inch and have been very happy with it. I am 6'2 285 lbs so I stretch it to about 7/16 lol. I say stick with what works plus when you retire the 1/2 inch you can use it to rig.

+1, So many uses for an old rope. I would stick with the 1/2 because you never know when you could use that extra strength.

 

[arborist]

I'm looking for some new rope but am in a toss-up between what size would be better. I'm a big guy (6'3", 220Lbs) and have had 1/2" up to this point and have been happy with it. I've been looking at the Yale XTC (16 strand), Lava, Blue Moon, and the Arbormaster 16 strand lines. I'm leaning more towards the 1/2, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks

my vote:
1/2 arbormaster.
tried a few others.so far the my least favorite being "true blue".I'l never use this again.to soft and mushy lol for my liking.
now to see how i like it as a light duty rigging line.(doubt i'l like it as much as abormaster for this either.but who knows.)
never tried 7/16 before.i think I'l order a short hank,to use on little tree's and see how i like it.
try a hank of it from wesspur,the short stuff left over from their reels is priced great! nice way to try out a few diff lines.then you always have little ropes for small tree's where it beats hauling out the long ropes.you win both ways.just click on "Clearance Rope" to take a look.
p.s. don't forget to set a figure 8 on the tail before climbing in case the climb is higher than you thought!

While I've never used 7/16 lines for doing tree work, I do have a couple static 7/16 repelling lines. They are plenty strong enough, however they are smaller in the hand and therefore harder to grasp as well as the 1/2 lines. I've always wanted to try a 5/8 line for better grip but don't know if the Blake hitches work good on a 5/8 line, plus the added weight. Good luck.

forgetaboutit! lol.
5/8 is WAY to heavy and bulky.
don't wear yourself out trying to pull up large rope while climbing.you will have to start training your groundie to toss up the throw bag, just so you can pull up your rope once aloft! hehehe.
p.s. just got some nice 5/8 from wesspur.(150' of the "husky II".it's nice rigging rope.)

 

[lego1970]

my vote:
forgetabout it! lol.
5/8 is WAY to heavy and bulky.
don't wear yourself out trying to pull up large rope while climbing.you will have to start training your groundie to toss up the throw bag, just so you can pull up your rope once aloft! hehehe.
p.s. just got some nice 5/8 from wesspur.(the "husky II".it's nice rigging rope.)

Yea, that's what I was afraid of. Don't like True Blue huh? I love True Blue, and been useing it for about 4 years. It's that mushy feeling that I like. I was gonna try Arbormaster but came across some clearance True Blue and got it instead. Next time I'm gonna try that Arbormaster.

I forgot to mention that I do use a 7/16 static line as a lanyard wrapped with a 3/8 pursik. It works fine. I also use old 1/2 climbing lines as lanyards too, but just recently made this 7/16 lanyard from an old repelling line. Forgot all about that.

 

[arborist]

Yea, that's what I was afraid of. Don't like True Blue huh? I love True Blue, and been useing it for about 4 years. It's that mushy feeling that I like. I was gonna try Arbormaster but came across some clearance True Blue and got it instead. Next time I'm gonna try that Arbormaster.

I forgot to mention that I do use a 7/16 static line as a lanyard wrapped with a 3/8 pursik. It works fine. I also use old 1/2 climbing lines as lanyards too, but just recently made this 7/16 lanyard from an old repelling line. Forgot all about that.

nope,i used the 120' true blue for a full year too,the first thing i said to myself was,man i can't till my abormaster line(old climbing line) wears out or gets cut,so i can order another hank of it for climbing lol.well i finally cut off 20' of it by dropping a large sugar maple trunk on it.so it feels nice to be back on the arbormaster.

yeah,same here.i have the 7/16 Blaze Non-steel Flipline kit.
prior to this,i had 1/2 with the micro-grab with steel snap hooks.
MAN talk about a nice load off! i remember when i went to the micro,it seemed like a miracle over the old prusik lanyards lol.(and of course it was)
but to top it off,the lighter aluminum snaps and 7/16 is really nice!!!
best $130 you can spend if your old school and never used this type of lanyard yet.you will kick yourself for not getting it sooner.
i did have a hard time first few uses getting used to the 7/16 for the flip line.overcame all worries of it in just a couple climbs.
if you get that kit from wesspur (i think i got mine last year from sherril) or wherever,you want another biner hooked to the one that comes with it.otherwise it's connected to your D,sideways.(they should make the grabs with a swivel to eliminate this problem imho)
then you want just a light duty "key chain" biner to hook the tail end back to the D.(just holds the tail up,no weight is put on it)
then your in lanyard heaven!

 

[TDunk]

I was kind of leaning on staying with the 1/2" but was interested in seeing what other people had to say. I've heard that the Abormaster tends to coil up, and it depended on the color pigment (some one on here had said that) but have heard alot about the XTC. Thanks guys

 

[Job Corps Tree]

1/2 ( New England Safety Blue) is what I have always had, the smaller one it can be hard to wrap your hand around it

 

[SINGLE-JACK]

I'm looking for some new rope but am in a toss-up between what size would be better. I'm a big guy (6'3", 220Lbs) and have had 1/2" up to this point and have been happy with it. I've been looking at the Yale XTC (16 strand), Lava, Blue Moon, and the Arbormaster 16 strand lines. I'm leaning more towards the 1/2, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks

Love my Yale XTC "Fire" (13mm). However, be aware that some products (Petzl Stop, Grigri, Lockjack, etc.) are NOT recommended for 13mm rope. They seem to work "ok" but still not recommended ... your call.