Many interesting new climbing ropes are set to hit the market next spring. Edelrid's is probably one of the most unique, featuring a dual diameter in one rope, while Mammut's new rope will take the pressure off your eyes and help you feel your way when belaying.
Using EnduroTech technology, Edelrid has been able to produce a climbing rope consisting of two different diameters. Each section of the rope features completely different performance characteristics to better match the requirements of sport climbing.
As you are working a new route, generally the first few meters of your climbing rope are going to see the most strain from frequent leader falls. Edelrid has addressed this problem by making the first 7 meters of the Snipe rope at 10mm in diameter, while leaving the rest of the rope at 9.8mm in diameter to cut down on weight and allow for smoother operation through quickdraws and your belay device.
How many times have you missed the middle marker while you are busy belaying or have to roughly guess when the leader yells down to ask you how much rope is left? Mammut has created a new BiCo Sense climbing rope technology that takes out all the guess work by making use of your sense of touch.
As well as visual differentiation through different colored yarn in the middle and end of the Mammut 10.0 Sensor climbing rope, a thicker yarn is also used in these areas to enable you to identify them as they slide through your hand. The 10.0 Sensor is also equipped with superDRY finish, giving the rope long-lasting resistance to dirt and water. I hope Mammut extends the Sensor line into more sizes such as 9.8mm in the future.
Finally, Beal has brought their UNICORE technology to their popular line of half ropes for ice and alpine climbing. Unlike a classic climbing rope, if the sheath of the IceLine UNICORE is accidentally severed, it won't slide or bunch, rendering it possible to pass over either by climbing or descending.