Metolius Monster Rope

Has anyone else experienced premature wear on their Metolius Monster Rope? It is marketed as having a super durable sheath but in one season mine looks worse than my 10year old Sterling. I contacted their customer service and got a quick response but they say that it is normal wear.

In less than three months the "creative" marking method had frayed the sheath to the point of exposing the core. WTF! A partner of mine thought I had nicked it with an ice axe.
Retired that monster and bought a Sterling Marathon.

I had to send one back after three outings on Wingate sandstone because the sheath frayed down to the core at the middle mark point. They sent me a new one that also wore down prematurely. I'm not a fan.

Interesting. Metolius Ropes are rebranded Tendon Ropes I believe. I've read pretty much glowing reviews on Tendon Ropes in the past. Wonder what's up?

On a related note. I've noticed premature wear on recent ropes of mine from several different companies (including Sterling). Nylon issues from a main supplier? -Note that this is PURE internet speculation and should mean crap or less than that!-

My Monster ropes, a set of their 7.8mm twin/doubles and a 9.8ish single, are all 2-3 years old but have worn like IRON! I've never had a wear issue due to their marking method which I like a lot. I've used the single a bunch in JTree and on other rough rock and have been very impressed with its durability. Could be a raw material issue with more recent ropes as other have speculated I guess.

I've had issues in the past with my 9.8 70m where the sheath became enlarged after little use. Myself and most of my friends use the 9.2 (close proximity to the factory) and have had little to no issues. I abuse my ropes. I use it for single pitch sport and do roughly 35-40 routes a week...whippers, TR gang bangs, and short falls. Whatever they've done with their 9.2s it's working.

JSH wrote:John, was there a recall on the Zephyr? ... Google isn't turning up a recall, tho.

I've had the same durability issue with the Monster. Mine got shredded pretty quick and I didn't abuse it too egregiously.

Reviving this thread, thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these, wondering if anybody has any further insight (thinking 9.2, but also debating 9.8). I know there was some comment on different wear characteristics for different times produced, insight?

frankstoneline wrote:Reviving this thread, thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these, wondering if anybody has any further insight (thinking 9.2, but also debating 9.8). I know there was some comment on different wear characteristics for different times produced, insight?

Jake Jones wrote:The one thing I will say after having used mine much more than the last time I posted, is that compared to a Sterling sheath, they wear a bit more. I climbed a LOT of slab in the last year, and switched to an EDK late last season, but before that, I would use a double fisherman's. What I found was that when I pulled the rope, the sheath where the knot was tied on the Metolius wore almost completely through, whereas the Sterling barely fuzzed. I'm aware that constantly pulling raps on slab with a high profile knot will produce premature wear on ropes, but when you compare the two, there is a huge difference. Still though, I like the rope, but it's a cut below "premium performing" ropes IMO. YMMV

I've noticed excellent wear performance out of my 9.2. My 9.8 Monsters seemed about average but my last 9.2 saw a lot of mileage on rough granite, sharp volcanic, and various "sports action/wankery" on vertical stuff.

I've been told the 9.2 is basically the 9.8 with a tighter sheath weave...and as a result is typically the tougher of the two ropes.

bevans wrote:I've noticed excellent wear performance out of my 9.2. My 9.8 Monsters seemed about average but my last 9.2 saw a lot of mileage on rough granite, sharp volcanic, and various "sports action/wankery" on vertical stuff. I've been told the 9.2 is basically the 9.8 with a tighter sheath weave...and as a result is typically the tougher of the two ropes.

I owned a Monster 9.8 and although it handled great, it did fuzz up a little faster then I would have liked. I purchased that rope about 3 years ago. Since then I have purchased two 9.8 Tendon ropes, which from everything I have read are the same ropes as the Metolius ones. My Tendon ropes have been great, and have fuzzed at the regular rate. I don't know if there was a bad batch of thread three years ago, or if there are some difference between the Tendon and Monster ropes. I would definitely recommend the Tendon ropes.

I've been doing a lot of climbing on my 9.8 Monter over the last year, including plenty of falls, etc. It's holding up as well or better than any of other rope I've had.

I've had both the Metolius Monster 9.8 and 9.2, and I liked both... but the 9.2 lasted quite a bit longer that the 9.8 and handled better. The 9.2 lasts just as long or longer to similar diameter ropes. The middle mark certainly is unique, but I've never experienced anything like a core shot from it. You can feel it pass through the belay device, which at first was alarming, but kind of a nice reminder once you get used to it. The middle may have worn slightly more than the rest of the rope, but at the time of retiring it was equal wear. I've continued to use the 9.2's and I really like them.