TIL those expensive rope bags actually matter

I spent years just stuffing my climbing line into a duffel or backpack, figured a rope bag was just for guys with more money than sense. Then last month in Portland I spent 20 minutes untangling a knot that took a chunk out of my work time. Borrowed a buddy's Notch bag, and the difference in how it feeds out is legit. Anyone else put off getting one and wish they hadn't?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnson.lee11d agoMost Upvoted

Hold on, is a 20 minute untangle really that serious though? I've been stuffing my rope in a regular backpack for like 5 years and yeah, it gets messy sometimes but it's never cost me real money. You see @palmer.henry talking about nearly getting fired over a squirrel rope, and I just can't picture a job where fumbling with a line for a few minutes is that big of a deal. I get it for people who are way more pro than me or climbing every day, but for a weekend thing it feels like a lot of hype. Maybe I just haven't hit the right level of frustration yet to spend that cash.

palmer.henry11d ago

Took me three years and a rope that looked like a squirrel nest to finally admit I was wrong. Ended up buying a rope bag after my "tactical" trash bag approach nearly got me fired for wasting too much time on untangling. Now I just have to explain to my girlfriend why our spare bedroom has a dirt-covered Notch bag sitting in the corner like a permanent houseguest.