Tried & Trending - The Best Ropes on the Market

Ultimately, picking a rope is solely based on the preference of the roper, but rope-making technology has made incredible strides over the past 20 years, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a ranch hand running cow-calf pairs, a team roper chasing some of the largest payouts in history or part of the fast-growing sport that is breakaway roping, ropers are constantly looking for any advantage, no matter how small, to help them increase their catch percentage to make ranch work easier and take more trips to the pay window. These factors mean the emergence of new ropes because trends are constantly changing, but there are always some perennial favorites that remain the best ropes on the market. We’re going to talk about some of those now.

#RainOrShinePowerline

"Rain or shine Powerline" has long been the motto of NFR heelers. For at least the last five years, with a minimum of nine heelers each year, choosing to swing a Powerline Lite, commonly referred to as a Powerline, made by Classic Ropes. The Powerline Lite has won four of the last five PRCA heeling world championships (Wesley Thorp also uses a Classic Rope, but an NV4), and all five of the last heading championships. The Powerline head and heel ropes are among the top sellers each year because of their consistent feel and durability.

The Powerline is a poly-nylon blended, four-strand rope, built around a CoreTech™ core. The poly built in allows the rope to be less reactive to weather and other conditions, for a very consistent feel. The unique blend of fibers gives it an identifiable tip and great body. These factors are what have helped move the Powerline to the top of the list of preferred ropes by team ropers of all levels.

Bring the Heat

The Heat, made by Classic Ropes, is one of the favorites, year in and year out, from professional ropers down to the most novice amateur. The Heat is a 100% nylon rope built around their CoreTech™, but through Classic’s continuous innovation in how they make their own string, The Heat has a consistent feel through inconsistent weather and any other condition you may throw at it. Whether you need a fast, snappy head rope or a heel rope with a balanced feel that locks off on the horn, The Heat is always a solid choice.

The Future's So Bright

With its release a couple of years ago, The Future made by Cactus Ropes, has made a major splash in the the team roping world. As part of Trevor Brazile’s Relentless line manufactured by Cactus, Trevor has been hands-on throughout the entire process of bringing this rope to market. Much like Trevor’s mindset of constant improvement, he and Barry Berg are always working to improve an already great product. The Future is a 100% nylon rope built around Cactus’ CoreTX™ with their own innovative rope-making technology. Combine that technology with the experience and attention to detail that led to 26 PRCA World Championships, and you have one of the hottest-selling ropes on the market. And that same rope you buy off the rack is the same way Trevor has them tied; no special twists, no special make-ups. Trevor has been adamant since their introduction that his ropes are built and sold just how he uses them to make sure you’re receiving the best product possible.

Fire Away with The Spitfire Breakaway Rope 

Breakaway roping is growing by leaps and bounds. For many years, breakaway ropers have been using ropes specifically made for calf ropers. As the event continues to grow and get faster, new ropes are introduced to meet the specific needs of breakaway ropers, and the Spitfire has been one of the front runners of these new ropes specifically made for breakaway roping. The Spitfire was developed by Rattler Ropes with feedback from their accomplished list of endorsees that includes Jackie Crawford, Kelsie (Chace) Domer, and Martha Angelone. With endorsee input and Rattler’s technologically advanced fibers and manufacturing process, the Spitfire has the tip to feel where your loop is in your swing, the body to stay open even when reaching and the snappiness to close down around the neck. The Spitfire comes in three sizes, from small to large, the 40S, 50S, and 60S, making it a great fit for any age and level of breakaway roper.

Go For The Dub... Grant Gold Calf Rope

One rope that is a top performer for both tie-down ropers and breakaway ropers alike, is the Dub Grant Gold Calf Rope. The Gold poly is a weighted poly that has a lead core and the feel of a grass rope without the maintenance. Grant Ropes Gold Poly has been an industry favorite among all types of calf ropers for many years because of their consistency, rebound, and no stretch. Their fast feel ensures crisp loops around the neck that ultimately set up a run for success.

From Coast to Coast: The Versatile El Caporal

Just like the cowboys and cowgirls competing in the arena, the needs of the working ranch cowboys and cowgirls are much different from one ranch to the next. The El Caporal made by Cactus Ropes has been tested by working ranch hands from California to Texas, and everywhere in between. What Cactus developed was a 100% nylon, highly versatile, 37’ rope that keeps a consistent feel being built around their CoreTX™, which makes it a great choice whether you’re doctoring yearlings or dragging calves at the spring branding. The El Caporal’s versatility has also made it the choice of heelers who prefer a softer lay than traditional heel ropes are offered in.

King for Cowboys

You can’t talk about ranch ropes without mentioning King Ropes. Born in the Big Horns of Wyoming in the heart of buckaroo country, King Ropes is part of the legacy that is King’s Saddlery. Fields south of Sheridan, Wyoming, are filled with ropes being aged by the rope makers at King Ropes. It’s this commitment to tradition that earned them a reputation of quality that is trusted by the likes of world-renowned horseman and cowboy, Buck Brannaman. King’s Quad Gold Poly even features his custom-designed Buck Brannaman metal honda. Pairing Buck’s honda on a quality rope makes this rope an excellent choice for any job, whether that be in the pasture or the round pen.