EDITORS' CHOICE

Byproducts are an inevitable part of manufacturing, and the rope-making process is no different. When the machine used to dye yarn for a rope sheath is switched from one color to another, about three-quarters of a mile of “transfer yarn” is left over. Transfer yarn is typically thrown away because it’s inconsistent in color and appearance; unfortunately, it has no place in our aesthetics-driven society. (Yes, even our ropes have to be pretty.) Mammut has taken this once-wasted byproduct and put it to use in the Transformer 9.8mm rope. Given its scrappy origins, each rope has a unique color and design, but they’re all about as “green” as a rope can get. Each also has high safety ratings (8 to 9 UIAA falls), excellent handling, and Mammut’s SuperDRY waterproof treatment. It clips and feeds out smoothly with minimal kinkage, and is burly enough for toproping. Available in 60m and 70m lengths.