Petzl Flow 11.6 mm Climbing Rope

The Petzl Flow 11.6 is a semi-static arborist climbing rope designed to run with Petzl's ZIGZAG and ZIGZAG PLUS mechanical prusiks and other modern climbing systems. It is a firm, round line with a tough sheath that feeds cleanly through hardware and holds up to bark, which is why many climbers who run a Zigzag pair it with Flow.

Where the Petzl Flow fits

Rope choice is really device choice. The Flow 11.6 was built by Petzl to work with its own mechanical prusiks, so if you climb on a ZIGZAG or ZIGZAG PLUS, it is the line the device was tuned around. That shows up as predictable friction on the descent, smooth tending as you move up and around the canopy, and fewer surprises when the rope gets wet or dirty.

At 11.6 mm it also sits in the sweet spot for most arborist hitches and devices that call for an 11 to 13 mm line. Always check your specific device's manual for the rope range it was tested on before you pair them; the manufacturer's list is the one that counts.

Firm ropes also hold a spliced eye well, so many climbers have one end spliced to work with a mechanical device or a hitch climber setup, which saves tying and dressing a termination knot every morning.

How it handles on a real climb

On a moving rope setup the Flow feeds through a friction saver or around a limb with less drag than a fuzzy, soft line, and its firm sheath keeps a hitch or device from biting too hard. Climbers who work SRT will notice the low stretch on the way up, with less bounce when you are hip-thrusting or using a foot ascender to gain height.

The sheath is tight and abrasion resistant, which matters when you are pulling the line through rough bark, over a basal anchor or across a cambium saver all day. Like any kernmantle rope, it will glaze and fuzz over time, and the way it feels in your device will change as it wears.

Expect a short break-in period. A new kernmantle rope can feel slick and run a bit fast through a device until the sheath settles, so set friction on the conservative side for the first few climbs and adjust as it beds in.

Inspection, care and retirement

Your climbing line is life-support gear. Use it only as part of a system that meets ANSI Z133 and the manufacturers' instructions, and only after proper training. Inspect the full length before each climb by running it through your hands and looking for cuts, glazing, soft or stiff spots, core showing through the sheath, or chemical and saw damage.

Store it clean and dry in a rope bag away from fuel, bar oil and sunlight. Keep a log of its age and use, and retire it immediately after a severe load, a saw nick, or any damage you cannot rule out. When in doubt, cut it up and buy a new one.

Choosing a length

Pick a length that is at least twice your working height for moving rope climbing, and long enough to reach the ground from your highest tie-in for SRT, plus extra for tails and a rescue. Many climbers keep a long line for big removals and a shorter one for quick prunes. See more lines in our 24-strand and kernmantle climbing rope range.

If you are building a new setup, buy the rope and the device together so you can test them as a pair, and record the purchase date and length in your gear log the day it arrives.