Footlock Prusiks

A footlock prusik is an eye-to-eye hitch cord tied around a doubled or single climbing line as your safety while you footlock up the rope. You slide it up as you climb, and it grabs if you slip or stop to rest.

How footlocking with a prusik works

Footlocking lets you climb a rope by locking it between your feet and standing up, then reaching up and repeating. The footlock prusik, tied as a prusik or similar hitch around the line and clipped to your saddle, is your safety the whole way up. Advance it as you go, and it holds you if you lose your foot lock.

The cord diameter must match the climbing line so the hitch grabs reliably but slides when you push it up.

Many climbers now use mechanical ascenders or other systems for climbing, but footlocking is still a valuable skill and a quick way up a doubled line.

Safe use

Footlock prusiks are life support. Use it only as part of a system that meets ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions, inspect it before every use, and get trained before you rely on it. Practice footlocking low with a trainer before trying a full climb, and test the hitch every time you tie it.

Replace a prusik that is glazed, stiff or worn, or that has been heavily loaded in a fall. See more options in our hitch cord and split tails section.

Keep the hitch neat and dressed and push it up with your hand as you climb, so it never gets left behind and loaded with slack.