Ever walked into a tack store and been overwhelmed with all the rope options? Here's what the labels mean and how to find the right fit for your needs.
Team roping, tie-down roping, and breakaway roping are the three main rodeo roping events. While competitors often share a love for roping and similar skill sets, the tools of the event differ slightly. The ropes used are an example of this.
In the team roping world where steers are the main target, ropes are broken into two main categories for the job: head ropes and heel ropes. The head ropes are a little softer than the heel ropes and are shorter in length, generally around 30 feet whereas heel ropes are more commonly 35 feet and stiffer to set the trap for the hind feet. Not only is the added length important for longer shots and working the steer for your partner, but the need to dally around the saddle horn also requires extra rope compared to one of the calf roping events.
Popular team roping rope makers include Classic Ropes, Cactus Ropes, Rattler Ropes, Top Hand Ropes, Lonestar Ropes and Frontier Ropes.
The ropes these companies offer come in a variety of colors and fun names, but the colors and names represent specific qualities designed in each rope. These ropes also come in what is called a lay, or how stiff the twist of the rope fibers are. A rope can be XXXSoft (which you could define as supersoft), all the way up to MH (medium hard). These factors influence the feel of the rope and how its body moves. Most individuals try a variety of ropes until they find one whose feel fits their style.
When it comes to calf roping, there are also numerous rope options with descriptive names and trademark colors, but they are presented slightly differently for the varying needs of the event.
Whereas team ropes come in head and heel options and are generally stiffer, calf ropes tend to be a little softer and shorter in length. Most calf ropes are 24-29 feet in length, with some breakaway ropers choosing to cut their ropes even shorter for a faster time. There’s a balance to the length game–if you cut the rope extra short, it may break away from the saddle quicker and provide you with a faster time. However, you could also run out of rope and not be able to make the shot when you need to reach.
Instead of lays like the team ropes are labeled with, calf ropes come in a variety of diameter options, generally ranging from 9.0-10.5, increasing in increments of .5. As the diameter increases, the rope gets heavier. So a 10.5 rope would be wider and heavier than a 9.0 rope.
Another descriptive factor in a calf rope is the number of strands in the rope and the material it is made of. Poly and nylon are two of the main thread compositions in ropes, and some ropes contain a blend of both. Nylon is more common in team ropes and poly more common in calf ropes, although the lines are blurring with new blends on the market.
Some people also prefer a rope that was twisted in the same season it will be used and smaller companies like Willard Ropes offer a winter and summer option on some ropes.
A wide array of makers offer calf ropes in today’s market. Popular makers include Rattler Ropes, King Ropes, Grant Ropes, Willard Ropes, Lonestar Ropes, Top Hand Ropes, Fastback Ropes, and Cactus Ropes.
A newer feature introduced to both team ropes and calf ropes is core technology. These inserts help prevent stretch and improve the longevity of the rope in all weather. This technology was patented prior to 2019, but when the patent ran out, all rope companies were able to access and use it.
The best way to pick the right rope for you is to swing lots of them. Over time, you’ll learn what you like and don’t like. As your skills develop, your preferences may change. A rope may feel one way at the summer rodeo and another way at the winter one. The technology is always changing too, so there are always new ropes to try! Enjoy the process. There’s nothing like uncoiling a fresh one!