Marlow Typhoon: A New Generation Arborist Climbing Rope

When your job involves working at height, you shouldn't pick your climbing rope at random; it’s a decision that deserves careful consideration. The best ropes combine strength, smooth handling, and lightness, making them appealing to both arborists and passionate climbers. I’ve spent considerable time climbing with the Marlow Typhoon, a rope designed for tree work, and it’s clear that it was specifically made with arboriculture in mind.

This is a hands-on review of the Marlow Typhoon tree climbing rope, focusing on real climbing feel, performance in devices, and day-to-day durability, not just what the spec sheet says.

What is Marlow Typhoon?

Typhoon is an arborist climbing rope featuring a 12.2mm diameter and a 16-strand construction. This product includes a durable polyester cover and a multi-twisted polyester core, ensuring compatibility with most climbing equipment commonly used in tree care. The rope complies with EN 1891: TYPE A standards. It is designed as a low-stretch rope, exhibiting an elongation of 1.5%. With a static strength rating of 32.8 kN and a spliced strength of 22.9 kN, Typhoon provides reliable performance for tree care professional applications.

First Impressions on the Ground

Out of the bag, the first thing I noticed was how clean and compact Typhoon feels. The slightly slimmer diameter sits right in that “sweet spot” – thinner than the traditional 13mm climbing ropes but still substantial enough to feel confident in the hands. That means this rope is perfect for those seeking to drop down in diameter without having to sacrifice their 16-strand construction OR move up from the skinny diameters, but want to retain similar characteristics of a very low-stretch arborist rope. The factory splice is tidy and low profile, exactly what you want when you’re pulling through friction savers or utilizing redirecting hardware.

The rope has a slightly firm hand at first, which is typical of a 16-strand rope, but it knots pretty well, so if you like to climb with a Blake’s hitch, this rope is perfect. The rope may be named Typhoon, but to me it resembles a coral snake!

How Marlow Performs in the Crown

Whether you use a traditional friction hitch or an open hitch climber system, you'll experience a smooth and enjoyable climb. Results can differ, though, when working with mechanical devices; these outcomes depend on the particular device, the climber's weight, and the types of trees Typhoon has encountered. For instance, Petzl’s Zig Zag is compatible with nearly any rope, what tree climbing rope doesn’t work well with the Zig Zag? Still, it's important to note that ropes with bulkier strands don’t ride as smoothly as double braid ropes. This applies to most 16-strand ropes available. Personally, a hitch-based system in a moving rope system was my favorite way to climb with the Marlow Typhoon.

The low stretch characteristic of the rope ensured stability, preventing unwanted movement and minimizing energy expenditure. This attribute notably contributed to reduced fatigue during extended climbs. The rope provides sufficient texture for a secure grip without causing excessive wear on gloves or skin. Tree climbing is brutal on ropes – bark abrasion, sap, dirt, etc., yet this 16-strand cover demonstrates considerable durability, even when a friction saver is not employed. While best practice always dictates the use of a friction saver, particularly when pruning trees, to protect both the tree and the equipment, it is acknowledged that this standard may not be adhered to in every situation.

Final Verdict: Is the Marlow Typhon Worth it?

After extensive climbing with this rope, the Marlow Typhoon has proven to be reliable and dependable, allowing climbers to place full confidence in their equipment and focus entirely on their objectives.

While adapting to new equipment can present challenges due to established habits, Typhoon enables users to move to a smaller diameter rope without concern for significant adjustments or compromises in performance. Designed for individuals seeking a lighter and thinner rope that seamlessly integrates with modern climbing gear, Marlow excelled with this rope.