Types of Rope
Often, people buy their first rope from a hardware or a marine supply store.
Some ropes in these types of stores are suitable for Rope Bondage, but others are not.
When selecting rope for rope bondage, keep four things in mind:
- Texture
- Rope that is "plasticy" is not suitable for rope bondage. The texture is too rough on the skin and the rope bites into the skin.
When selecting rope, run the rope over your skin to test the texture. If you cannot touch the rope because it's in a bag, then don't buy it. - Durability
-
Another issue with "plasticy" rope is that it may be prone to unwinding. Not all rope with wound strands is bad though. Give the rope a twist and see how the braids react.
- Stretchiness
-
Using stretchy material for rope bondage is a very bad idea. restricted circulation or nerve compression are far more likely to occur.
- Squishiness
Squishiness is not as big an issue as stretchiness, but too much could cause your knots and ties to slip and this may produce unpredictable results.
Nylon ropes are generally somewhat squishy. Ropes .25inches/6mill or less in diameter are fairly firm. Ropes .3inches/8mill or thicker may be difficult to work with, depending on what you're doing.
Even if they are not suitable for binding, thicker ropes can still be used for decorative tying
.25inches/6mill .3inches/8mill 
Rope That is Suitable for Rope Bondage
- Hemp/Jute
Hemp and Jute rope are made from plant fibers. New rope can be stiff, but it softens with use. Many people enjoy the rough texture of these natural ropes
Unfortunately, hemp and jute can be difficult to find. They are not often found in hardware or marine supply stores.
- Cotton
-
Cotton rope is more likely to be found in a hardware store. New rope can be rough, but it softens with use and machine washing. See our rope care page for more information on washing rope.
- Nylon
-
Nylon is the easiest rope to find. It is soft and durable and the ends can be whipped with thread or by fire.
