First Look: The Latest Ultralight Bipattern Ropes from Edelweiss

Whether you’re romping through the alpine or redpointing a hard sport route, your rope is the most critical component of your safety system. It’s also typically the heaviest. That leaves climbers with a catch-22: choose a lightweight rope to conserve energy on the wall, or opt for thicker model to maximize durability? 

Now, thanks to the new Spirit Arc 8.8MM and Energy Arc 9.5MM, you no longer have to choose. A bipattern twist on classic ropes from Edelweiss—these new models come in 60- and 70-meter versions and are designed to perfectly balance weight and durability. On top of that, clever coatings and smart braiding techniques lend them a buttery suppleness for effortless rope management. Here’s a sneak peek. 

Spirit Arc 8.8MM

The Spirit Arc 8.8MM is an ultra-lightweight, dry-treated, bipattern rope that’s built with alpine climbing in mind. Each individual fiber of the sheath is treated with Edelweiss’s Everdry technology, which seals out moisture and ensures smooth handling and a nimble feel. That makes this line an ideal choice for long days in humid, wet, or icy conditions. The Spirit Arc also comes in a Everdry version, in which both the sheath and core are fully waterproofed. That provides even more reliability during ice climbs or long days in variable weather.

Better yet, the Spirit Arc weighs in at a mere 51 g/M and boasts a tough Unicore construction, which bonds the core directly to the sheath to improve durability without stiffening the rope. As a result, it’s strong enough to use on its own yet light enough to use as a half rope in complex alpine terrain. 

Shop Now

Energy Arc 9.5MM

While it’s fair to call the Energy Arc 9.5MM a workhorse, don’t let the term fool you: this slick model boasts clever technology and is extremely lightweight. Ideal for projects that require multiple attempts, the Energy Arc bipattern rope features a bonded Unicore construction. Thanks to that technology and a tight, streamlined weave, the Energy Arc weighs just 58 g/M, combining the sturdiness of a thicker rope with the litheness you might expect from a thinner line. 

The streamlined weave comes from a high-definition braiding technique that produces  a denser thread pattern and therefore a smoother outer surface.  That reduces friction and rope drag on the rock. As a result, clips are smoother and the rope is easier to feed through a belay device. Internally, the Energy Arc’s dynamic fibers feature Edelweiss’s Perform 3—a technology designed to reduce impact force. That translates to softer catches (even with a heavier partner). 

Shop Now

Since 1953, Edelweiss has been making solid mountain gear for alpinism, canyoneering, climbers, and adventure seekers. We have made the choice of thicker sheath yarn to manufacture ropes with an exceptional level of quality. This makes our ropes extremely reliable, even in the harshest climbing conditions.