A rope is a set of yarn, fibre or strands that is twisted or braided multiple times to create a greater tensile strength than that of the original material. The greater the tensile strength, the more load or stress the rope can handle before it start to tear.

Most ropes for outdoor activities are twisted ropes made out of either synthetic or natural fibre. The twisted structure of the rope is what makes the rope as a whole stronger than the individual fibres, as the load is split across all fibres because of the twisted structure. Without the twisted structure of the rope the force applied to the rope would always be focused on the weakest, most tense fibre which would result in the rope quickly tearing apart.

Synthetic rope is usually made out of nylon or polyester which gives them greater tensile strength than rope made out of natural fibres, they do not absorb water which makes them light enough to usually float and less prone to rot. The backside being that they are usually more sensitive to UV light, they do not offer as great a grip, have a greater risk to cause burn wounds and you can’t make your own without a lot of plastic.

Natural ropes are usually made out of hemp, straw or flax (linen). They are not as strong as synthetic rope but this don’t make them weak by any means, instead they just require a greater thickness of the rope itself to get the same result. Natural fibre will absorb moist and water so they do require more care than a synthetic rope, but their greatest advantage is that you can make them from what nature offer if required. They are also easier to handle as they are less slippery, the softness of the fibres are less prone to cause burn wounds and they are easier to work with when repairing.

Bringing a 5-10m rope bundle when going outdoors is usually a good idea, especially if you are planing to sleep outdoors in an area with wild animals. A rope will let you hang the supplies high in a tree to avoid unwelcome guests stealing or contaminating your food.