All climbing ropes, no matter how strong and sturdy they are, have their own service life expectancy. They can only take so many falls and so much exposure to the sun’s UV rays, rain, dirt, or moisture. They can also be seriously damaged when spilled with chemicals or oils. Inevitably, they weaken and become unsafe for climbing. By protecting them from such exposure, however, you can delay the process of deterioration. All you need to do is to keep them in a suitable rope bag, such as a Metolius Ropemaster Improved Rope Bag, whenever they are not in use.
Made of heavy-duty nylon, the Ropemaster is a durable rope bag that protects your rope from anything that can harm it and accelerate its decline. Inside the bag is a large tarp where you can flake your rope when packing. This means you do not need to coil it, a task that is simple enough, but which may feel tedious after a hard and exhausting climb. A pocket at one end of the tarp will help you control the rope while packing. Once the rope is flaked on the tarp, fold its sides over the rope and roll it into the bag.
You can pack a rope as long as 60 – 70 meters into the bag. It is closed with a drawcord that does not damage the grommet. With the bag’s dual compression straps, you can cinch it to limit its bulk. A pair of unbreakable aluminum buckles keeps the straps in place. If you need to verify which of your ropes is stored in the bag, you do not have to open it up. You can see inside it through a durable plastic window at its top.
A padded shoulder strap is fitted to the bag for ease of carrying. It can be adjusted to keep the bag closer to your body and prevent it from swing back and forth on those hikes before the climb.
The Metolius Ropemaster Improved Rope Bag measures 19″ x 10″, while the inside tarp is 4′ x 5′. When you are not flaking your rope, you can use it for sitting or lounging. There are five colors, some of which include printed designs, that you can choose from –blue fish school, black cross clipper, rust, spruce, and storm.