In early 2020, the Coronavirus situation surprised the world. In March, we presented the results of a previous study concerning the impact of disinfection on ropes. In this study, semi-static polyamide (i.e. Nylon) ropes were disinfected with a mix of Isopropyl (70%) and tested for their residual strength. This was a one-time test. No significant change in the ropes’ characteristics (diameter, weight, strength, elongation) occurred in these tests. 

Later in the year, in the interest of customer safety and as a result of new Covid-19 regulations, climbing gyms around the world were forced to disinfect ropes, holds and equipment at a far more frequent rate, some even after each climber. Gym owners began questioning the impact of all that disinfection on the performance of the ropes.  Many of them reached out to us directly for the answer.

In order to answer this question, and to be able to give an official manufacturer’s recommendation concerning frequent disinfection of ropes, we conducted a second, more specific study.  As in the first study, we did not notice any significant change in the rope’s characteristics. 

Find the test procedure and the results of the study here >> Covid-19: Multiple disinfection of Ropes