Sterling Rope - Frequently Asked Questions

Sterling Innovations

What is a Marathon™ Sheath?

A Marathon Sheath is a Sterling Innovation. This sheath uses heavier denier nylon than any other dynamic rope on the market. We do this to enhance the rope's durability and longevity.

What is DryCore™?

DryCore is our unique nylon core construction that reduces yarn on yarn abrasion of wet nylon fibers, helping to maintain the original strength and elongation characteristics of our ropes. Only Sterling ropes have DryCore. Please note that DryCore does not guarantee you rope will stay dry, but that when the rope is wet the fibers will maintain more of their strength and stretch.

What's the difference between a BiPattern and BiColor?

BiPattern ropes are a pattern shift in the middle of the rope. Neither the color nor yarns change. BiColors are produced by changing the yarns to a completely different color yarn at the middle of the rope by using an air splice technique.

Why does my BiColor rope have fuzzy bumpy yarns at the middle mark?

Those fuzzy bumpy spots are Air Splices. An air splice is the joining of two yarn ends by means of high-pressure air forced around the ends causing them to entwine and snarl together. Air splices are essential to join strands into usable lengths. From a life safety perspective two yarns air spliced together test out to be 50% stronger than continuous straight fibers because they have twice as much yarn in the section that is air spliced.

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Technical Information

What chemicals are bad for my rope?

Chemicals are bad for your rope. Do not expose your nylon or polyester ropes to chemicals. That said, much recent data has been collected regarding how substances affect rope life. Data available from Honeywell Corporation (former producers of nylon 6, polyester) shows that nylon's strength is not greatly affected by motor oil, mineral oil, salt water, Freon, gasoline, kerosene, benzene, chloroform, paints, pine oils, or insect repellents containing DEET. Chemicals that should be avoided at all costs are bleach and sulfuric acid. In general, the strength of nylon fiber is not greatly affected by alkalis or weak acids, while polyester fiber is not greatly affected by acids or weak alkalis Still with this reassurance it is best to protect your rope from exposure to any acids or alkalis and to store your rope in a cool dry environment.

How much strength does my rope loose when I tie it in a knot?

There are a lot of publications available that contain information about knots and knot strength. For that reason we will not include much information here. Knots reduce the overall strength of a rope. Therefore, whenever possible use a high strength tie off around a cylindrical object with at least a 4'' diameter. Four inches is the magic number for maintaining full strength in a rope up to 5/8''. Any bend tighter than 4'' reduces the strength of rope because they stress the rope in flexure, the fibers' weaker direction. Here is a list of some common knots and the translating remaining rope strength. Please be aware that these percentages are only estimates, not exact numbers, any knot could potentially loose a higher percentage of strength than the low number in this chart.

Knot	Strength
NO Knot	100%
Double Fisherman's	65-70%
Bowline	70-75%
Water Knot	60-70%
Figure 8	75-80%
Clove Hitch	60-65%
Fisherman's	60-65%
Overhand	60-65%

What is Impact Force?

Impact force is the force felt by the climber or rescuer and equipment at the termination of a fall. It is also the number that is used to show a rope's ability to absorb the energy created during that fall. A fall on static rope with little elongation and a fixed anchor point will generate much higher impact forces than a fall on dynamic rope using a running belay. There are two measures of impact force.

Theoretical impact force is the impact force without any extraneous variables. Actual impact force is the force created when you take into account a dynamic belay and friction developed over both the carabiners and rock. The UIAA mandates that the impact force generated on the first fall must be less than 12kN for a single rope. This test uses a static belay with a fall factor of about 1.8 or a 4.6 meter (15') fall on 2.5 meters (8') of rope.

This test demonstrates a very severe fall that is generally difficult, but not impossible, to recreate in the field. Real world experience has shown that rarely are impact forces higher than 10kN generated during a climbing fall. Again, in order to limit the impact force is it important to place protection whenever possible and to utilize a dynamic belay.

What is Fall Factor?

Fall Factors are something that every rescuer and climber should understand. Fall factor is only applicable in situation where a climber/rescuer has climbed above their last anchor point. Understanding fall factor will help a climber/rescuer determine when and how often to place anchor points. Because it is impossible to fall farther than twice the length of the rope the highest possible fall factor is 2 (except via ferrate). A fall of 8 meters on 4 meters of rope (8 divided by 4) is a fall factor 2. So is a fall of 40m on 20m of rope (40 divided by 20, fall factor 2). It is important to remember that fall factor is not the only determinant when calculating impact force; overall length of the fall, friction from anchors, as well as the manner of belay (whether dynamic or static) also greatly affects the impact force felt by the climber. In order to limit the impact force created is it important to place protection whenever possible and to utilize a dynamic belay.

How do I convert meters to feet or vice versa?

1 meter = 3.28ft

1 foot = 0.3048 meters

How much is a Kilonewton?

1 kilonewton = 224.82 Lbs Force

What is "sharp edge resistance?"

With normal use there are no documented cases of a rope breaking under normal use. The documented occurrences of rope breakages in the field are attributed to pre-exposure to sulfuric acid or by being cut by a sharp edge. UIAA just recently added an optional test to UIAA 101 for testing to sharp edge resistance (UIAA 108). Many manufacturers are claiming sharp edge resistance for their ropes. The designation of sharp edge resistance is not a guarantee of safety. These ropes can still be cut. Our in-house testing shows that slight variables in the testing procedure can cause even "edge safe resistant" ropes to break on the first fall. We have recently received a letter from APAVE, the UIAA Approved Lab that we use for testing, that their "insurance company strongly recommend us to inform our customers that this test does not reproduce the reality and that the behavior of a rope in contact with a sharp edge can be radically different from the UIAA 108 test conditions and results."

Update on sharp edge, taken from the UIAA web site:

Average vs. Minimum Break Strength

Average breaking strength is determined by averaging the samples in a given test. Minimum breaking strength can be figured several ways, either using the true minimum number that was recorded during a testing sample or more commonly by using a statistical method such as 3-Sigma.

What is a 3-Sigma Rating?

3-Sigma ratings are used throughout the climbing and rescue industries to determine a level of accuracy in the breaking strength numbers that we report. A 3-Sigma rating is much more reliable than, say, an average strength where 50% of a sample could be below that strength. 3-Sigma ratings are based on a statistical analysis of the breaking strengths of a given sample of rope. Statistically speaking a 3-Sigma rating means that 99.9% of the products are stronger than the reported MBS rating. What this means is a 3-Sigma rated MBS is three standard deviations below the average breaking strength. Standard deviation helps to define the spread in the distribution of a given test sample. It is not the mean. Reporting 3 sigma ratings more accurately represents a rope's strength to be at least the MBS reported.

The Skinny on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standards

Have you ever wondered what the CE mark is? And what about the UIAA symbol found on product labels and marketing literature?

In Europe there is legislation which states that equipment used to protect against falls from heights must be certified for both the base design and the continued production of that equipment. For climbing equipment, manufacturers have two choices for certifying to specific harmonized European standards. These are the UIAA and CEN standards. These standards outline the safety requirements and test methods for the full range of climbing equipment.

Today, the UIAA has adopted the CEN standards as the UIAA norm. Certification to these standards means that the equipment meets the basic design and structural requirements of the standards, but does not guarantee that equipment is unbreakable in all conditions possibly encountered while climbing. A product stamped with the CE mark signifies that the product has passed the testing requirements and the manufacturer maintains a quality system equivalent to ISO 9000-2001, which ensures continued conformance to the standards. At Sterling Rope we have adopted UIAA/CEN standards as the basis of our testing procedures to make sure that our products continue to meet the safety requirements outlined by these standards. This means that all products used to protect against falls must undergo rigorous testing on a continuous basis. What is the end result? Gear you can trust. Gear you can depend on.

Testing / Standards For Dynamic Ropes

UIAA 101 is the standard to which most dynamic ropes are certified. Please be aware that UIAA 101 refers to the European Norm (CE) standard EN892. EN892 is the standard that in actuality contains the test methods and procedures for testing dynamic ropes.

There are five areas of testing:

1. Construction
2. Sheath Slippage
3. Static Elongation
4. Impact Force on first fall
5. Number of falls held

UIAA 101/EN892 delineates dynamic ropes into three categories; Single Ropes, Twin Ropes and Half Ropes.

Single Ropes: Dynamic climbing rope, capable of being used singly, as a link in the safety chain to arrest a person's fall Usually found in diameters from 9.5mm to 11mm.

Twin Ropes: Dynamic climbing rope, which is capable, when used in pairs and parallel in each piece of protection, of arresting a person's fall These are generally smaller diameters from 7.5mm to 8.5mm. They have the added safety factor of a two-rope system and can be useful when doing long rappels.

Half Ropes: Dynamic climbing rope, which is capable, when used in pairs, as a link in the safety chain, of arresting a person's fall. Generally smaller diameters from 8mm to 9mm, this system reduces rope drag, allows for longer rappels, offers better safety for the "second" and greater versatility in the field.

The basics of UIAA 101 testing requirements:

A. Construction: Kernmantle with core having a greater mass than the sheath

B. Sheath Slippage: Must be less than 20mm over a 200mm sample or no more than 10%

C. Static Elongation: 80kg weight for single and twin ropes and a 55kg weight for half ropes

• Single and Twin Ropes (using both strands): Must be less than 10%.
• Half Ropes: Must be less than 12%

D. Impact Force: Tested during the first factor 1.8 fall (4.5 meter fall on 2.5meters of rope).

• Single Ropes: Impact must be less 12 kilonewtons (kN) using an 80kilogram mass.
• Twin Ropes: Same as Single ropes, but using both strands during the test.
• Half Ropes: Impact must be less than 8kN, tested using a 55 kilogram mass.
   
  1 Kilonewton = @224.82lbs/force
  1 kilogram = @2.2lbs

E. Falls Held: Number of falls rope holds before breaking.

• Single Ropes: Must hold 5 falls of an 80kg mass.
• Twin: Must hold 12 falls of an 80kg mass.
• Half: Must hold 5 falls of a 55kg mass.

Static Ropes

The term static rope is a generic description and sometimes misleading. Static ropes do actually have some elongation, and are interchangeably called low elongation or low-stretch ropes. The Cordage Institute definition from CI1801 of "low stretch rope" is a rope with an elongation greater than 6% and less than 10% at a minimum of 10% minimum breaking strength. Their definition of "static rope" is a rope with a maximum elongation of 6% at 10% of it's minimum breaking strength. Static ropes are utilized in many areas of rope access, rescue and recreational climbing. The term static rope encompasses a variety of rope constructions and materials. Standards make the distinction between low stretch and static kernmantle ropes because some applications require some level of impact absorption, but not the high elongation of a dynamic rope. Some applications of rope rescue require no stretch or a very low level of elongation to provide the most efficient system. Our HTP Static™ is designed for applications where a very low level of elongation is desired, while the nylon SuperStatic™ is more suitable for circumstances that could demand impact absorption. Static ropes are generally used in rescues, rigging, rappelling, ascending, mechanical advantage/haul systems, fall restraint, and travel restraint applications.

Testing/Standards For Static Rope

In Europe Static Ropes are tested to European Norm (EN) 1891. In the United States, static ropes are usually tested to the National Fire Protection Association Standard "NFPA 1983", the standard for Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components. For testing procedures, the NFPA cites several standards written by the Cordage Institute. The Cordage Institute writes standards that cover a wide variety of rope and cord products in the United States. It is worth mentioning that the NFPA does not test ropes, they only write the standard. A third party organization (like Underwriters Laboratories) tests all ropes to NFPA specifications. Standard 1983 dilineates rope into three major types. Personal Escape Rope: This standard requires that these ropes are a one-time use. Minimum Break Strength (MBS) must not be less than 13.5kN (3035 lbs), elongation must be between 1% and 10% when tested under a loads of 10% of the MBS, and the rope must have a diameter between 7.5mm and 9.5mm. Light Use (formerly single person load): MBS of not less than 20kN (4496 lbs), an elongation between 1% and 10% under load at 10% of MBS, and a diameter between 9.5mm and 13mm when measured under load. General Use (formerly two person load): MBS of not less than 40kN (8992 lbs), an elongation between 1% and 10% under load at 10% of MBS, and a diameter between 12.5mm and 16mm when measured under specified load.

All Life Safety ropes must be labeled according to NFPA standards and must maintain their colorfastness over a specified period of time. Labeling includes an inside ID tape, proper end labels and a lot number on the hangtag.

What is a Safe Working Load (SWL)?

Safe working loads for rope are usually described as a ratio of the MBS to load of a rope. Depending on industry the SWL varies. The NFPA recommends a 10 to 1 SWL for life safety rope. The National Association of Tower Erectors recommends a SWL of around 15 to 1. OSHA recommends a 10 to 1 ratio as well.

What happens to my nylon rope when it's wet?

Nylon fiber is affected by the absorbtion of water. Nylon is hydrophilic meaning it will absorb water. The overall strength and stretch can be greatly affected by moisture in the fiber. Whenever possible try and keep your ropes away from water and as dry as possible. Our in-house testing shows that loss of strength in wet ropes may be as high as 70% in nylon ropes without DryCore but only 40% in ropes with DryCore. (DryCore is Sterling's proprietary core construction, which uses yarns that resist moisture.) A 11mm DryCore rope that holds 11 falls dry, holds 7 falls wet. That same rope with without DryCore™ may hold only 3 falls when wet. In general the data shows that the loss of strength through the presence of water in nylon ropes is significant. The good news is that nylon's original strength and elongation returns when the rope dries.

What happens to my polyester rope when it's wet?

Polyester is hydrophobic (literally "scared of water"). Polyester does not absorb nearly as much water as nylon and is not greatly affected by being wet.

Should I mark my rope with a permanent marker?

The UIAA recently conducted a limited amount of testing using the standard UIAA 101 drop testing procedures with ropes marked with a several different permanent markers. This is what the results said:

Notification concerning Rope Marking
issued: April 2002

Tests done by the UIAA Safety Commission and by some rope manufacturers have shown that rope marking with liquids such as those provided by felt-tipped pens can be dangerous, even with those markers, sold specifically for marking ropes. The test results showed a decrease up to approximately 50% of the rope strength, more correctly: of the energy absorption capacity of the rope (expressed by the number of falls in the standard test method in accordance with the European Standard EN 892).

Therefore the UIAA Safety Commission warns against marking a rope with any substance that has not been specifically approved by the rope manufacturer of that rope.

It is not possible for the UIAA Safety Commission to test all markers that are commercially available and can be used for marking ropes. Furthermore it would be impossible for the UIAA Safety Commission to keep such information up-to-date. In addition, the effect of any rope marker seems to vary with the make of rope. Hence, all the UIAA Safety Commission can do at the moment is to warn mountaineers and climbers. The UIAA Safety Commission will carry out further research into this problem to provide practical advice to climbers.

Sterling Rope stands with the UIAA in this stance and therefore recommends that you do not mark your rope with a permanent marker.

That said, Pit Shubert, President of the UIAA, has also published this notice: "...A damaged rope by marking is not a big problem, because such a marked rope can not break in practice (only when tested on the test machine according to the standards, UIAA and EN (CEN)), such a marked rope can only break in practice when the two or three centimetres (about one inch), which are marked, are placed over a sharp rock edge when the rope is loaded by a fall. The probability that this will happen is nearly zero…There is only one danger, when during mountain rescue one or two people are lowered down and the rope is running over a sharp rock edge, then the two or three centimetres will run over this edge, and then there is a danger."

So, again and as usual, you are the best judge of your own comfort level. If you have been marking your rope for years with a pen and have never had a problem, then use your own judgment to decide if the new UIAA stance is going to alter your opinion.

Do High Tenacity Aramid Fibers (Twaron®, Technora®, Kevlar®) Break Down?

There is a lot of discussion concerning aramid fiber (such as Kevlar®) flex fatiguing over time. Most of the data available has been acquired through testing conducted for the sailing industry where a cord is excessively cycled through pulleys and blocks. The data shows that with time and cycling aramid fibers do break down. However, the level of cycling in sailing applications is far greater than of applications a climber or rescuer using aramid fibers for anchors might employ.

What is Denier? What is Tex?

In the United States yarn weight is classified by the term "denier." Denier is the weight in grams per 9000 meters of yarn. In Europe, they use a base ten system called "tex." Tex is the weight in grams per 10,000 meters of yarn. More and more US manufacturers are using the tex instead of denier, as it is much easier to convert.

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Helpful Hints

How should I wash my rope?

To clean rope, use Sterling's Wicked Good Rope Wash™ or rinse in warm to hot water. Machine washing is acceptable. Best is to use a front-load machine. We do not recommend using a top-loading machine as the rope could damage the agitator or vice versa. The temperature of the water is not a major concern as nylon or polyester are not much affected by heat until around 300 degrees and it would be difficult to get a machine that hot.

How should I coil my rope?

The best method for coiling your rope is a butterfly coil over your neck or hand or leg. It is important that each coil is alternatively laid down from left to right without twisting. At the end of the coil belly wrap the left and right sides together and pull a bight through the hole in top the coil and push the loose ends of the rope through the bight. If the ends are left long enough you can wear the butterfly coil like a backpack.

How should I uncoil my rope?

Ropes are hanked twist free at the factory. In order to avoid unnecessary and annoying kinking during its first use it is necessary to properly unhand the rope. To do this, hold the coil of rope in one hand and take one free end. Begin uncoiling that free end three or four twists and drop to the ground. After you have taken three or four coils off the hank, move the remainder of the rope to the other hand and begin uncoiling from the other direction. After three or four coils on that side, switch again. Repeat until the entire rope has been uncoiled. After uncoiling run the rope through your hands meter by meter two or three times to remove excess twist. This will also help you inspect the rope. Now the rope is ready to be used or flaked into a rope bag.

How should I store my rope?

Store your ropes in a cool dry place away from chemicals and direct sunlight. Do not hang your rope from a coil; use a piece of webbing or cord girth hitched around the entire coil.

How do I know if I should still be using my rope?

Inspect your rope often and thoroughly. It is important to inspect your rope thoroughly before and after each use. This should be done both visually and by sliding the rope through your hands meter by meter. If your rope is excessively abraded or you have core coming through the sheath it is time to retire that rope. Often ropes wear faster on the ends from repeated short falls and tying and untying. It may be possible to cut out the damaged section of the rope and continue using the good section.

Do not step on your rope. Stepping on a rope, while not so bad in itself, can cause dirt and crystals to get forced through the sheath, abrading the core with each use.

Keep your rope clean. Use a rope bag when and wash your rope every 30 to 40 uses.

Know the condition of your rope and be wary of lending it out. It is important to inspect the rope when new and continually inspect it during use. We recommend keeping a rope log in order to track the uses and abuses to your rope. Remember that every fall lessens the amount of impact a rope can later absorb. Often a rope used for sport climbing will be subjected to repeated shorter falls. While the rope may not show as much wear from these falls, the cores are being frequently loaded and its ability to cushion your falls will be affected. It is important to inspect the ends of a rope and remove them if they are soft. Please be aware that during each fall the entire rope is being loaded and just cutting off the ends does not give you a new rope.

What length rope should I buy?

A 50m rope was the standard for most ropes until about 10 years ago. Changes in sport climbing route development created the need for longer ropes and the advancements in yarn technology allowed for longer lighter, skinnier ropes. These attributes have led to need for longer (70M, 80M, and in some cases 100M ropes) and skinnier (9.6mm, 9.5mm, 9.3mm, 8.3mm, 8.2mm, 7.6mm) single, half, and twin ropes.

Also longer ropes allow for the worn ends to be cut and still be a useful rope – i.e. 60M rope shortened to 55m, due to the abuse from repeated short sport climbing falls.

50 meter: Shorter Crags or alpine terrain where a lead rope is necessary without the weight of a 60meter.

60 meter: This is the standard length for a rope today. Great all around versatility for longer trad and sport routes. More advanced climbers are using skinny (9.7mm and below) 60 meter ropes on long multi-pitch and trad routes for light and fast ascents.

70 meter: Slowly becoming a more common size. Great for long sport routes where a 60 isn't quite enough for the lower or for linking shorter pitches on trad climbs.

I just measured my rope and it's only 59.5 meters. Is it a short rope?

Fibers can shrink as much as 10% during construction. Most rope manufacturers condition the yarns they use to construct their individual ropes. This helps to give the yarn the elastic properties we want. It also helps limit the amount of shrinkage that occurs after construction. To expand on this, the most common material used in making kernmantle rope, nylon, is a dynamic fiber that is constantly shrinking and expanding depending on a multitude of variables including temperature, humidity, pressure, and field use. This property, while annoying, is also what makes nylon great for use in life safety ropes. It's strong, it stretches and there is no better fiber currently available. After and during use ropes can continue to change. A rope left in the trunk of you car may expand (not desirable in very hot, dry places); a rope in your cold cellar may contract. Do not fret; the reality is that when you weight your rope on rappel or take a leader fall, the rope is stretching out.

Because of the variables that affect rope length, there is a standard on how to accurately measure a rope. Please refer to the Cordage Institute CI2006-99 Determination of Rope/Cord Length standard for complete instruction. Using this standard will give you an accurate measurement of your rope or cord. However, the reality is that measuring your rope using this type of method is neither practical nor time efficient. This method is cumbersome and requires a hand scale, another person, a sharp pencil and calculator to do the math. Basically, the rope must be pre-tensioned using a specific weight, relaxed and retensioned before measuring. The rational behind measuring a rope under tension is that you can counteract some of the variables (temperature, humidity, pressure) that may affect the individual rope fibers. In order to compensate for many of the above condition changes and to guarantee our rope lengths, Sterling cuts its ropes 3% to 5% longer than the reported length.

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Company Information/Purchasing Questions

Where are your products made?

Our factory is in Biddeford, Maine. We are about 10 miles southwest of Portland and about 1.5hrs northeast of Boston. We purchase some raw material from overseas, but all of our products are made in the USA.

Can I buy directly from you?

Sorry, but as a manufacturer of high-end outdoor products we have decided that, for now, the best way to distribute is through specialty outdoor shops with employees who are knowledgeable about our products.

I'm a student/climber/rescue trainer doing a research paper on design, manufacturing, marketing or something similar and I'd like to speak to someone in your company about this. Who can I talk to?

Sterling Rope receives inquires periodically from students and researchers requesting detailed information on everything from manufacturing processes to product development. We are honored that so many would consider us for these individual projects and research papers, yet due to the proprietary nature of the majority of this information and our inability to validate testing protocols and other testing methods we are not always able to fulfill all these requests. While many of these projects are undoubtedly worthwhile, we simply do not have the resources or personnel to spend the amount of time required to address the majority of content in these requests. A good bit of info can be found here (hyper link to sterling technical manual)

If you would still like to pursue your request you can submit a proposal in writing, directly to us. Your request must be accompanied by the following information:

1) Your name, address, phone number and email address.

2) School/educational institution name and address.

3) Instructor(s) name and contact phone number.

4) Detailed outline of your project, including what SPECIFIC information you require, why you require it and what you will use it for.

5) Original projects on subjects to which we may not know the answer have a better chance of receiving support. We will review all requests for information and decide on a case-by-case basis which ones we can help with. Others will be returned with our sincere apologies. Requests should be sent to:

Sterling Rope Quality Assurance
26 Morin Street
Biddeford, ME 04005

Thank you for your interest in and our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this policy may cause you.

I work in the outdoor industry and would like to buy Sterling Rope products. How can I do this?

Sterling Rope offers pro deals to climbing retailers, certified mountain guides, and outdoor industry professionals. If you would like information regarding pro pricing or service, please contact the Sterling Rope call 207-282-2550

How do I submit photos to be considered for use in the Sterling Rope brochure?

We accept submissions at any time. We prefer your highest-quality color slides, but if you have a special request please contact our Paul Niland, Marketing Director, at paul@sterlingrope.com.

Submissions can be sent to:

Sterling Rope
Marketing Director
26 Morin Street
Biddeford, ME 04005

I am a climber and would like to be sponsored by Sterling Rope. How do I go about doing this?

Due to the volume of requests we receive from climbers seeking sponsorship we are only able to add a limited number of individuals on a yearly basis. However, we do review each request on a case by case basis for product support at some level. For your request to receive serious attention, we need a full climbing resume clearly outlining your experiences, references, and how you can make a difference for Sterling Rope. We will be happy to review anything you can send us to help us make our decision. For consideration, please submit a written proposal preferably by email to Paul Niland at paul@sterlingrope.com or by mail or fax to:

Sterling Rope
Attn: Athlete Sponsorship
26 Morin Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
Ph. 207-282-2550
Fax. 207-282-2655

We will respond to your proposal by email within 30 days.

To review our current roster of team athletes visit our Team Sterling page.

I have an upcoming climbing or rescue event, competition or trip. How do I apply for sponsorship?

The majority of our marketing dollars are earmarked for organizations like Access Fund, AMGA, USA Climbing, and other organizations within the climbing and rescue communities.Occasionally, we do offer gear and/or financial support to those that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the sports we serve and whose philosophy is consistent with ours. To request sponsorship, forward a sponsorship request packet (resume, goals, and a brief explanation of why you've seeking support from Sterling Rope) preferably by email paul@sterlingrope.com or by mail or fax.

Sterling Rope
Attn: Sponsorship
26 Morin Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
Ph. 207-282-2550
Fax. 207-282-2655

We will respond to your proposal by email or telephone within 30 days.

Expeditions

Due to the volume of requests we receive and limited marketing budget, we are not currently offering financial sponsorships for expeditions. However, we do review each expedition on a case by case basis for product support at some level. For your request to receive serious attention, we need a sponsorship packet with supporting documentation (plans, timelines, environmental contributions, previous accomplishments, etc.). We will be happy to review anything you can send us to help us make our decision. For consideration, please submit a written proposal preferably by email paul@sterlingrope.com or by mail or fax to:

Sterling Rope
Attn: Expedition Support
26 Morin Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
Ph. 207-282-2550
Fax. 207-282-2655

Please allow 30 days for review of your proposal. We'll do our best to review your materials and contact within allotted timeframe.

Competitions

Organizing a competition and need prizes? Due to the overwhelming number of requests we receive we cannot help out every group, gym, or organization with prizes or donations. In order to be considered please forward your event poster or flyer, a brief description of your event including the expected turnout and shipping info preferably by email paul@sterlingrope.com or by mail or fax to:

Sterling Rope
Attn: Comp/Event Support
26 Morin Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
Ph. 207-282-2550
Fax. 207-282-2655

Note: To receive consideration, we must receive your request at least a month prior to the competition.

How can I request a brochure?

Use one of the following pages to request a brochure:

• Climbing Consumer Brochure Request
• US Climbing Dealer Brochure Request
• International Climbing Dealer Brochure Request
• Rescue Personnel Brochure Request
• Rescue Dealer Brochure Request
• OEM Brochure Request

I am a Sterling Dealer and I want to be linked on your site.

Please contact Paul Niland, Marketing Director, at paul@sterlingrope.com.

I would like to view your Technical Manual.

Click here to view our Technical Manual.

How do I find a local Dealer?

You can find our products in shops throughout the United States and Canada. Unfortunately we do not have list of all of our retail store customers. If you want, send us an email and we will find the closest dealer to your location. Also check out the links page for dealers that have request we link to their site.

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Warranty/Return

Welcome to Sterling Rope Customer Service

We're here to assist you with the ordering and warranty of any Sterling Rope products. As climbers, outdoor enthuisiasts, and rescue we're knowledgeable in the selection, care and use of all our rope products. In FAQs, we answer all of your customer service questions, aiming to make your search as effortless as possible. In the Warranty/Repair section, you'll become familiar with our warranty policies and find out the easiest way to get your questions answered quickly regarding any issues with your rope products. Gear Info Tags contains each of our information tags that were attached to your gear when you made your purchase. Here you can learn, in great detail, the best ways to use and care for your gear. Bottom line: We're here to make your experience with Sterling Rope gear as easy as possible—so explore this site and don't hesitate to contact Customer Service with your questions.

How do I return my rope to Sterling?

Return/Warranty Policy

No-Hassle Policy. Our promise to our customers is complete satisfaction. We guarantee our ropes to use free of manufacturers defects, under normal wear and tear and proper use. Ropes, however, do not last forever. Everyday climbing and rescue work exposes ropes to abrasion, fatigue, sunlight, and constant loading. Severe falls, lack of protection over an edge, exposure to excessive temperatures, chemicals or improper use will shorten the lifespan of any rope. These scenarios, while unusual, point to the importance of checking and protecting your rope. Because everyone climbs differently, Sterling reserves the right to inspect your rope before replacing it or refunding your money. Sterling is committed to supporting you to enhance your overall experience with each Sterling product.

Please contact the Sterling Warranty/Return Department at customerservice@sterlingrope.com or call us at 207-282-2550.