Bluewater lightning pro or Sterling evolution velocity?

I've been trying to decide on a rope for working sport routes. Not sure about which brand, thickness, or length I should get.

I have owned a few ropes ropes so I am familiar with the trade offs between length and diameter in general. I climb on a 9.4 right now that is actually very good, and I haven't owned a rope thicker than a 9.4 for a while now and I'm forgetting what it is like to have a 9.8. I'm wondering if I move up to a 9.8 it would be a noticeable increase in durability? Also I haven't owned a Sterling and they are generally pricier than the rest. Is the extra cost worth it?

Evo velocity is a great rope but I climb on skinnier ropes these days.  I have a fusion ion and it's great.

I'm a HUGE fan of the Tendon Hattrick 9.4. It's a really durable rope, with awesome handling. It's my go to rope and it has lasted forever. 

I climbed on a blue water 9.7 lighting pro recently and like it much more than the sterling velocity which I’ve climbed on extensively over the years with partners who had one. I actually climbed on someone’s 9.8 velocity dry xp just after it so I had a direct comparison. It handles and feeds a little better I think and the slight difference in diameter is noticeable. It reminded me of my 9.7 tendon rope a little except not as light or smooth to belay with. I’d take a mammut 9.5 infinity over the sterling 9.8 velocity also. I’ve owned the sterling 9.5 in the past and it’s a decent rope too but for the money there seem to be cheaper options than both those sterlings that I actually find more enjoyable to use. 

Ryan Hamilton wrote:

I'm a HUGE fan of the Tendon Hattrick 9.4. It's a really durable rope, with awesome handling. It's my go to rope and it has lasted forever. 

I am curious do you mean hattrick 9.7 or master 9.4 by chance? Tendon doesn’t seem to list that model in 9.4 at least right now.

NCD wrote:

I climbed on a blue water 9.7 lighting pro recently and like it much more than the sterling velocity which I’ve climbed on extensively over the years with partners who had one. I actually climbed on someone’s 9.8 velocity dry xp just after it so I had a direct comparison. It handles and feeds a little better I think and the slight difference in diameter is noticeable. It reminded me of my 9.7 tendon rope a little except not as light or smooth to belay with. I’d take a mammut 9.5 infinity over the sterling 9.8 velocity also. I’ve owned the sterling 9.5 in the past and it’s a decent rope too but for the money there seem to be cheaper options than both those sterlings that I actually find more enjoyable to use. 

Thanks! This was very helpful. For some reason this was my impression of Sterling ropes as well, even though I have never handled one. I did handle the lightning pro once and was so impressed that I asked my friend for the brand and model and made a mental note of it.

So you'd actually prefer your tendon rope over the bluewater?

Had a tendon 9.8, smart lite i believe, and that rope took some abuse, trips through the desert and to Thailand. Handled grea. Picked a couple up when the clymb had them on clearance for $60. 

Have a mammut eternity classic that is still going after 2 years of heavy sport use. Great handling rope out of the package. 

The velocity's have great handling and feed nicely. They're durability is right up there, but unless you find them on a great deal, Sterling's are pricey. 

I just bought a Lightning Pro for an upcoming trip to SE Asia, I haven't used it yet but it looks like a great rope. But time will tell. Got a 70m double dry for $150, so the price was good. 

Andrewww wrote:

I just bought a Lightning Pro for an upcoming trip to SE Asia, I haven't used it yet but it looks like a great rope. But time will tell. Got a 70m double dry for $150, so the price was good. 

Is that sale still going on!?

Both are good.  Prefer the sterling's handling, but it seems like my bluewater has held up way better.  Current Lighning Pro has ~50 climbing days on it and it's still in awesome shape.  My Evolution Velocity had 40 days on it before it had picked up enough sheath wear that I had to chop off 10-20 feet from both ends and rotate it into "second rope" position.

Of the two choices listed, I prefer the Bluewater. I have that exact rope in 60m and 70m, and very happy with it.

Bluewater Lightning Pro has higher dynamic elongation, and lower impact force than the Sterling Evolution. And I like that. I feel like I get consistently slightly softer catches on my Bluewater than on my partner's Sterling. The ropes are about the same age...

I had 3 or 4 Sterling Evo 9.8s and have 2 Bluewater Lightning pros.

IME the Bluewater has a better sheath and better handling.  The Lightning pro has all around better specs and is considerably less pricey than the evo.

IMO get a 70m dry-treated 9.7 Bluewater Lightning Pro.

Having dragged a non-dry bluewater lightning pro through pretty much everything over the last couple years, it's done pretty well. It gives really soft catches (might be a bit stretchy for top roping), handles relatively well.

However the sheath/rope has gotten to be so fuzzy that it no longer resembles the svelt 9.7 it once did and feels much closer to something like a 10.1. This is kind of echoed in the outdoor gear lab review.

That said, it's about time I grab a new lead rope and I'm looking into other ropes.

I love Bluewater ropes. However, their measurements are not accurate. My 9.1 (was probably 9.3-4 new, and my 10.0 was at least 10.2

I pulled the trigger on the Bluewater in bright pink. Can't wait!

kck wrote:

I pulled the trigger on the Bluewater in bright pink. Can't wait!

I got the same one for spanking deal.  Sick rope!

Both are good ropes.  I have owned both and several ropes from both manufacturers.

My take is that Sterling is BY FAR the top tier make.  They are supple, light weight , thin feeling and durable for their stated diameter.   They are also very expensive compared to others.  

Blue Water is a burly rope...but they are typically stiff, heavy (even heavier than advertised), and feel fat (9.3 is fatter than Mammutt 9.5) for the stated diameter.  They are pretty durable though, and I have been lucky in finding them for really cheap.  (<$120 for 60M)  I am skeptical if any of the stated specs on BW ropes are accurate as the diameter and weight are clearly off.

For the same price...I would always choose sterling over blue water.

Mammutt is the middle ground between these two manufacturers.  If I am looking for a bargain, I find I like the 9.5 infinity as an everyday bargain price sport rope.  This rope can frequently be found for ~$100.