Edelrid Boa Eco: A Versatile Climbing Rope at a Great Price
Table of Contents
Affiliate Disclaimer: Throughout this review, you will find affiliate links to online retailers. If you decide to purchase anything through the link, I will be rewarded a small commission of the sale. It’s a win-win, if you think about it-you get a sweet new Edelrid Boa Eco, and I get money to put towards a Tesla Cybertruck.
Of all the gear in a rock climber’s kit, the climbing rope may just be the single most important item. More than shoes, harnesses, and protection, a reliable climbing rope is crucial to a safe ascent.
For many beginning climbers, buying their first rope is often a huge step. New climbers looking for a durable, long lasting rope need not look any further than the Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8mm Climbing Rope.
The Edelrid Boa Eco comes as an entry level climbing rope. Through nearly a year of ownership, and many of pitches of climbing, I’ve tested the Boa Eco to it’s limit. Through it all, the Boa Eco has proven to be durable, versatile, and cost effective.
Pros
Cons
Edelrid
Edelrid is a German company, specializing in mountaineering, climbing, and rope access gear. Though perhaps not as well known in the U.S. as other brands like Black Diamond and Petzl, Edelrid has a long, rich history of manufacturing quality rock climbing equipment.
Before the Boa Eco, I had never owned an Edelrid product. I knew that other Edelrid products, like the Edelrid Ohm (Affiliate Link) are well regarded. Keeping my expectations open, I went ahead and purchased this rope.
After extensive use, I am now convinced that Edelrid is a competent company that produces safe, high quality climbing gear. If Edelrid makes crafts their other rope to the same standards, then I will be likely to purchase from them in the future.
Boa Eco 9.8mm
Technical Specs and Features
For such an affordable rope, the Boa Eco offers several features found in more expensive offerings. Here’s a list of some facts and figures. These are based on the 60m length, and may vary for the 40m, and 70m lengths.
- Middle Mark Included
- Not Double Sided
- Impact Force: 8.8 kilonewtons
- Dynamic Elongation: 32%
- Static Elongation: 9.3%
- Not Dry Treated
- Blue Sign Approved!
- Each Rope is Unique
Eco-Friendly
Unique among ropes, Edelrid assembles the Boa Eco from all the leftover material on the rope factory floor. Excess yarns and composites, normally tossed into the trash, are instead repurposed into a full strength, dynamic climbing rope.
Since every Boa Eco is made up of leftover material, the colors and patterns of each rope will vary from batch to batch. They are all the same quality, however. Edelrid’s recycling practice greatly cuts energy expenditures, waste, and CO2 emissions. For their efforts, the Boa Eco has earned a Blue Sign Stamp of Approval.
Weight
At 62 grams per meter, the Boa Eco is not the lightest rope, but it’s not the heaviest either. The 70 meter Eco comes out to about 9.5 lbs. If packed well, this weight is hardly noticeable during an approach.
Climbers don’t buy a 9.8mm rope for the weight savings. This diameter is reserved for durability, and all around performance. Skinnier ropes are more ideal for fast and light ascents.
I have never found the Boa Eco’s weight to impede my climbing. While climbing Yosemite Valley’s longer moderate multi pitch routes, the weight of the Boa Eco was perfectly adequate. It carries well, even in compact daypacks.
Size
Edelrid offers the Boa Eco in both 40 meter, 60 meter, and 70 meter lengths. This about covers the spread for Gym Climbing, Sport Climbing, and Multipitch, respectively.
I do not recommend taking a 40m rope outdoors. Most outdoor climbing areas require at least a 60m to climb and descend safely. For more information on making the transition from indoor to outdoor climbing, check out our handy tips.
Feel and Handling
Of all of the Boa Eco’s many positives, my favorite is it’s feel and handling. This rope is supple, nimble, and smooth. Climbing and belaying with this rope is delightful. As a new rope, the break in period was very short, if non existant. Off the shelves, the Boa Eco is ready to roll.
I guess it’s hard to describe the ideal handling, feel, and responsiveness of a climbing rope. It lies somewhere between “Coiled Ribbon”, and “Wet Noodle”-not too limp, but not too springy either. Anyone that has purchased a new climbing rope will know that it must undergo a break in period.
Until it’s climbed a few pitches, a rope can be tight, and stiff. Belaying and coiling a new rope can be a pain. The Boa Eco somehow avoids this altogether. I experienced almost no break in period. A definite plus, in my mind.
I can’t compare the Boa Eco to any other Edelrid ropes, but I like it better than that of similar ropes from Mammut and Sterling. I theorize that the Boa Eco’s responsive feel is a result of the use of recycled materials in its construction, although Edelrid advertises that it’s patented thermo-shield heat treatment improves handling.
Durability
Wow. Lemme tell you, the Edelrid Boa Eco is one tough rope. For the price, I don’t think you’ll find a more durable cord. I’ve used the Boa Eco on all sorts of routes, in a wide variety of weather and rock types. Besides a little dirt, the Boa Eco is nearly spotless after miles of vertical travel.
The Boa Eco may have one of the best price to performance ratios of any rope. Dollar for Dollar, Edelrid’s rope will last you a long time. If you’re a climber on a dirtbag tier budget, I will vouch for this rope as a reliable investment.
Much the way that black socks don’t get dirty, the Boa Eco’s grey, mottled color ways don’t either. My rope is just about due for a bath, I think. You wouldn’t know it just by looking at it.
That said, proper storage and regular cleaning will ensure that your rope lasts long, and stays safe.
Sport Climbing
Since owning the Boa Eco, I haven’t done a whole lot of sport climbing. I can probably count the amount of sport pitches that I’ve climbed on one hand. That being said, the Edelrid Boa Eco is a solid choice for any sport climber that needs a long lasting, affordable rope.
At 62 grams per meter, the weight of the rope did not impede my sport climbing performance. Certainly there are better, lighter ropes available, but the Boa Eco will get the job done. The responsive nature of the rope ensured that clipping into quickdraws and anchors was simple-an oft overlooked quality necessary during harder climbing.
If sport climbing is your primary aim, I highly recommend purchasing the 60m length over the 70m. Most sport routes rarely require more than 60 meters. Bringing a whole 70m rope to a sport crag only results in extra weight, and more rope to coil and manage.
Trad and Multipitch Climbing
I purchased the Boa Eco in the 70m length with multi-pitch and trad climbing in mind. So far, it has not disappointed. This rope has proven to be a trustworthy companion for long days in the mountains.
Much of it’s use has occurred on the giant granite walls of Yosemite Valley. It has seen it’s share of moderate multi pitch climbing, totalling miles of vertical gain. My Boa Eco has sent classic routes like Royal Arches, and Cathedral Peak. Both of these routes are fairly ledgy, with many slabs and cracks. The rope rarely found itself caught in features, and held up well despite being rubbed against low angle slab for thousands of feet.
I enjoyed using this rope on rappel descents. The middle is clearly marked, making rappel setup a breeze, and it was easy to load into a device. Call it luck, but the Boa Eco rarely seemed to get snagged when pulled from an anchor.
Finally, I found that this rope did not as tangle as often as other ropes. Again, call it luck.
The Boa Eco can hold up to the rigors of climbing life. Descending, top roping, and a few falls have left little wear. The one downside I can think of is the sheath patterns. The Boa Eco is not double sided-a less than ideal design for rappelling, or simulclimbing. With careful management, though, these will not be an issue.
Ice and Alpine Climbing
If there are two climbing disciplines that the Boa Eco is not designed for, it’s probably going to be Ice and Alpine Climbing. This rope is not dry treated, making it a poor choice for the wet and cold conditions found in Alpine or Ice climbing environments.
Fast and light alpinists will want to opt for a lighter rope. The Boa Eco’s drab, muted color will not be highly visible against heavy snow and rock. The Boa Eco is best for fair weather craggsters, like myself.
Similar Ropes
Retailing at a sub $200 price point, the Boa Eco is an accessible, entry level dynamic line. Similar ropes can be found at this price range, each with their own pros and cons. Many of the same features are present, but I think that the main advantage that another rope may have over the Boa Eco is color.
Brightly colored ropes are much more visible, and are thus easier to see in a natural environment. The result in increased management and safety.
The following are some alternate ropes, similar in cost to the Edelrid Boa Eco. Keep in mind that I haven’t climbed with all of these ropes, but they are known for quality.
- Black Diamond 9.9mm Non Dry Rope (REI | Amazon) Thicker than the Boa Eco, and at the same price point, the BD 9.9mm may last a little longer than Edelrid’s offering. User reviews seem positive.
- Sterling Rope VR9 9.8mm x 60m Dry Core Rope (REI | Amazon) – Hard to find a dry treated rope at this price!
- Mammut Eternity Classic 9.8mm Non-Dry Rope (REI | Amazon)-A touch pricier than the Boa Eco, I’ve seen more Mammut ropes out at the crag than any other make.
Conclusion
Retailing at a good price point, the Edelrid Boa Eco proves to be a capable climbing rope. Climbers looking for an entry level rope ideal for all manner of climbing styles will enjoy the supple feel, ease of use, and long lifespan of Edelrid’s Boa Eco.
Environmentally conscious climbers can rest easy knowing that the Boa Eco was made with minimal impact, while keeping to the safety standards of normal climbing equipment. Sport, Trad, and gym climbers will all get great use out of this rope. I intend to purchase another Boa Eco as soon as my current rope needs to be retired.
Buy the Edelrid Boa Eco
The Edelrid Boa Eco can be purchased wherever climbing goods are sold. Here are a few links to aid your search.
REI:
Backcountry:
Amazon:
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