Best Double Rope Climbing Knots

Here are the best double rope climbing knots. If you get to the point in your climb where you need to tie your ropes together to finish these are the knots to use. Considering that most of the time when you are climbing it’s not exactly a safe thing to do without a rope or good knots. Experienced climbers know that one of the first things to learn well are the knots that will hold your ropes together when you’re off the ground whether you’re going up or coming down.

1. Double Figure-8 Fisherman’s Knot The strongest knot for a double rope and the most commonly used. The downside to this knot is its size. It can easily get caught in something as it moves. It’s also the best knot if you are using two different kinds of ropes and they are of two different sizes.
2. Square Fisherman’s Knot A favorite because of its simplicity and ease. One of the easiest knots to tie and one of the easiest knots to untie, just remember to always back up the one knot with other knots so the lone square does not come undone under pressure.
3. Double Overhand Knot One of the most popular knots used to tie ropes together. It has the least bulk and is one of the fastest to tie. Don’t use this knot with ropes of different sizes as it won’t hold.
4. Double Fisherman’s Knot This was the original double knot for tying ropes together and is now a days used mostly for anchors and heavy articles that aren’t untied often. It can still be used to tie ropes together but it tends to be hard to undo afterward.