Top Rope
Top rope climbing is a climbing style where – as the name implies – the rope is coming from the top. The rope is guided through a redirection at the top of the wall and the partner on the floor belays the climber. Top rope climbing is the easiest way to get into climbing and most of the time the first technique new climbers learn.
For Top Rope Climbing in climbing gyms it is important to have a robust, abrasion resistant rope that lasts long and withstands a high number of falls. Due to the redirection, the rope is always loaded at the same area, which can result in sheath slippage. MAXIM Climbing s recommends the Chalk Line for indoor Top Rope climbing. It is very compact and robust and features the Str8 Jacket intermediate cover that reduces sheath slippage.
Experienced climbers use Top Rope climbing for fun or when projecting new routes. It is often the preferred technique for sketchy routes prone to falls. The MAXIM Apex and Equinox are the right choice for these kind of activities. In ice climbing, it can be very dangerous to anchor into the ice, especially early or late in the season. In these situations top roping is the safer option. In addition, this technique is also used for climbing in areas that you can only access from above.
MAXIM offers the following ropes for top rope climbing:
Apex
Equinox Elite
Chalkline
Tech Cord
“I’ve used MAXIM ropes for 30 years and I am still psyched about their durability, quality, consistency and hand.”
Randy Leavitt
About MAXIM Dynamic Ropes
Dynamic climbing ropes are the most important piece of gear you have, because they keep you from hitting the ground. Their high elongation absorbs most of the shock in a fall, thereby taking the load off of your body and your anchors. MAXIM ropes are made of 100% high quality nylon and feature a kernmantle construction with twisted nylon cores and a braided nylon cover. MAXIM’s long lasting dynamic climbing lines are designed as a compact rope with high-energy absorption. Each of our dynamic climbing lines offers excellent handling, superior abrasion resistance and high durability.
Special features of MAXIM dynamic ropes
The core of every dynamic MAXIM Climbing rope is dry treated with our special Endura DRY treatment process, including our indoor gym ropes. This is for the ultimate level of safety protection since nylon loses a lot of strength when wet. In addition, for maximum water-repellency, selected models also feature Endura 2x-DRY and have both a dry core and a specially treated dry cover. Those ropes fulfill the requirements of UIAA water-repellency.
Our Pinnacle and Glider series also feature MAXIM’s TPT (Twill Pattern Technology) which aligns the sheath yarns with the direction the rope moves through your protection. This dramatically reduces rope drag and provides for buttery rappels.
The Chalk Line gym ropes also feature our Str8 Jacket technology, in which we tightly weave the sheath around a mid-sheath which grips the core. These are the longest lasting gym ropes on the planet.
Standards for dynamic climbing ropes
Dynamic climbing ropes are generally certified in three categories; single ropes, half ropes and twin ropes. All of them are certified to the European Standard EN 892 and the international standard UIAA 101. Within these standards, the rope’s construction, sheath slippage, static and dynamic elongation, maximum impact force at first fall as well as the minimum number of falls a rope has to withstand are regulated. Please find more information on climbing rope types and requirements of the standards in our Tech info section.
"MAXIM sets the standard for durability of climbing ropes in the industry. In the end, a rope is our lifeline, and for many years now I've felt 100% confident trusting my life to thee amazing cords. "
Jonathan Siegrist