Edelweiss Toplight 10.2
Performance: “This rope has the durability of a fat rope with the feel of a skinnier cord,” one tester said. We loved it right out of the box thanks to its ideal balance of stiffness and flexibility. Add that to the lowest price in the review, and this rope is a win-win-win. The Toplight is the thickest of three ropes in Edelweiss’ Essential line (9.8 and 10 are the others), which aims to offer “top performance at the right price.” Our testers say they hit the nail on the head with the Toplight: “It clips and feeds
through both tube-style and assisted-braking devices easily and smoothly—more like a 9.8,” one multi-discipline tester said, “but it gives me the confidence of a thicker rope when it comes to rock abrasion and lifespan.” For five days in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, six testers led, whipped on, and toproped dozens of pitches, and the rope still looked and felt new. Four of those testers haven’t bought or used a rope above 10mm in a few years, and they all agreed they would purchase this 10.2 lifeline because of its excellent performance and skinny feel. A 65 g/m weight doesn’t add too much heft, either: 8.6 lbs. for 60 meters.