Sterling VR9 9.8 Review

The Sterling VR9 9.8 is our favorite climbing rope when it comes to purchasing that single pitch crag workhorse that you can beat into the ground season after season. We love the thicker diameter and DryCore treatment that provide better durability without sacrificing performance when it comes to handling and clipping. While not the most versatile rope that we've tested, its a more affordable choice that's perfect for heavy use during single pitches.

Handling

We were pleasantly surprised by how well the VR9 handled despite it thick diameter and dry treatment. Unlike other dry treated ropes that can feel a little sticky during those first few pitches, the VR9 is so smooth, we had to take another glance at our notes to know whether or not it had a dry treatment. Not only does it feed well through the GriGri but also felt easy to clip quickdraws or cams on lead. The sheath strikes a great balance between stiff and loose, creating a soft catch for the leader, without too much stretch in the dynamic elongation. This balanced amount of tension also makes the VR9 a great choice for top-roping without an unnerving amount of stretch in the system.

While the VR9 handles great when compared to other thicker diameter ropes, it is a little stiff when compared to more supple, thinner designs. The lack of suppleness is definitely a tradeoff for the increased durability and dry treatment. We also love the butterfly coil, which provides a design free of kinks and twists during your first day out at the crag.

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Durability

The VR9 features a durable and thick 9.8mm diameter along with a DryCore treatment that allow it to better resist dirt and debris at the crag while also providing more material overall to protect the rope from wear and tear that would destroy a skinnier diameter. During our objective durability tests, we noticed the wider 9.8mm diameter would better absorb the pressure of the edge by decreasing the load on each individual sheath fiber, creating a more lasting design.

Sterling's DryCore treatment is another reason behind it's durable performance. The treatment is applied to the individual core yarns rather than bathing the rope itself in the treatment. This process effectively reduces moisture within the interior while also preventing wear during lots of use and abuse. We also noticed how effectively it resisted dirt and dust after significant use in the crags surrounding Yosemite National Park. After a week long sport climbing bender complete with big whippers, top-roping, and micro-traxioning, the VR9 still looked brand new.

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Versatility

While Sterling advertises this rope as a versatile design that's suitable for single and multi-pitch routes, we think the thicker diameter and dry treatment reduce the overall versatility, making it our favorite crag workhorse rather than one we're willing to leave the ground with. The thick, 9.8mm diameter excels when it comes to lead climbing in the gym, top-roping, or even for those headed up a big wall that need a durable rope that can withstand the abuse of jumars. The dry treatment is also nice for maintaining use of this rope throughout all seasons.

When we did enjoy taking this rope up Lembert dome in Tuolumne Meadows, it's only a short walk from the car and a few pitches to the top, otherwise, we wouldn't really recommend this rope for sky cragging. That said, the thicker diameter provided peace of mind while we fix and followed, and didn't exactly weigh us down on the short approach. While technically you can multi-pitch with the VR9 we think it's best-suited as your all-around workhorse, whether you're taking big falls, top-roping your friends, or increasing your endurance through big mileage days at the crag.

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Features

Although the VR9 is a more affordable climbing rope design, it still includes ample features that improve performance at the crag. First of all, we love the DryCore treatment that helps increase the durability of the design and protect the sheath from absorbing dust and dirt at the crag. This was super noticeable, especially when compared with other ropes that lacked a dry-treated construction. The middle mark is also very helpful while rappelling and also while climbing multi-pitch routes, as the clear marking went above the belay, it was nice to call up a courtesy shout that the leader reached halfway.

And while we know that most climbers are purchasing super skinny lead lines so that they can stack all the cards in their favor in hopes of sending their project at the sport crag, we were happy to have this workhorse along for projecting at the Tioga cliff throughout our testing season. Despite multiple try hard attempts, we often took the whip and felt confident thanks to the 6 UIAA falls rated design. The rope is available in lengths ranging from 40 - 80 meters, offering a nice selection so that you can purchase the best length for the routes at your favorite crag. The factory butterfly coil is also appreciated as this helps to avoid any kinks and twists your first day out with the new design. Although more affordable, we think the VR9 offers plenty of features that climbers will appreciate.

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Weight

The VR9 weighs in at 62 grams per meter, a relatively heavyweight option that's perfect for lots of single pitches. This is among the heaviest ropes that we tested, and doesn't matter a ton when it comes to single pitch cragging or gym use, it adds multiple pounds in overall weight when compared to some of the skinnier rope designs that we tested. And while a few extra pounds doesn't sound like a big deal, it's not our first choice for hiking a rope into the mountains, especially if we're out for an extended trip.

While it's not our first choice for multi-pitch, we loved romping domes in Tuolumne Meadows with the design. The thicker rope was a great choice for our fix and follow technique and the additional durability of the 9.8mm diameter along with the dry treatment gave us peace of mind over sharp knobs and rough granite edges. For those seeking a durability rope with lasting performance, this extra weight is a worthy consideration, but if you're counting every ounce in your kit and willing to invest a little more, there are thinner designs available that provide the same amount of durability.

Should You Buy the Sterling VR9 9.8?

The VR9 is the perfect example of a design that outperforms its affordable price tag. While it's possible to multi-pitch with the thicker 9.8mm diameter, we think it's best suited for those endurance miles at dirty crags thanks to a protective dry treatment that extends the life of the sheath. Despite the thicker diameter, it handles well and will provide soft catches on your project. If you're looking to invest in a durable design that can keep up with you at the crag, the VR9 provides excellent value for single pitch use.

What Other Rock Climbing Ropes Should You Consider?

The Sterling VR9 9.8 is our favorite all-around crag workhorse thanks to its thicker diameter, protective dry treatment, and supple handling. This is the rope we'd recommend for those who need a rope that can keep up with them during long mileage days at the crag. If you're willing to spend a little more, the Sterling Velocity Xeros 9.8 is worth considering. It's the same diameter but a little heavier and comes in the same range of lengths so you can select the best one for your area. The Mammut 9.5 Crag Classic is another great option. It doesn't have a dry treatment but it handles well and will last you multiple seasons, even with heavy use. The Edelrid Boa is another worthy consideration for a thicker diameter, just remember there's a ton of dynamic elongation so the catches are soft and you need to keep your climber tight while top-roping.