This rope falls somewhere between an ultralight alpine climbing rope and a heavier workhorse rope for crags. With performance characteristics that allow it to be used for all types of climbing, this is probably the most versatile rope on the market.
Performance comparison
Testing the Sterling Aero 9.2 on a multi-pitch climb above Estes Park, Colorado.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
handling
The Sterling Aero 9.2 feels soft right from the start. As soon as you take this rope out of the wrapper, it's easy to tie tight knots or clip quick draws. After a busy summer with this rope, it felt as soft as when new and never stiffened with use. The drying process gives the rope an oily, slick feel when new, but this did not affect its ability to bite into belay devices. This slippery surface wears away over time, producing a rope that is easier to handle over time.
Ropes tend to get softer over time (unless you rappel repeatedly), so I was a little surprised at how soft this rope was out of the box. Soft ropes are easier to handle, but their durability is also a concern because they have sharp edges and can bend easily. In fact, durability is the main drawback of this rope. That said, this rope is a dream to work with and is easy to use both for leading and belaying pitches.
The Sterling Aero 9.2 has soft handling with plenty of bite for modern belay devices.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
durability
In fact, our concerns about the durability of this soft rope were somewhat borne out. The sheath weave feels a little loose right out of the factory, and while this may make it easier to handle, it seems like the sheath weave gets caught on sharp edges and coarse crystals more easily than tighter ropes. After climbing just a few pitches of average-sharp rock, I noticed large scratches and tears in the scabbard.
During our summer climbs, we noticed a moderate amount of pod fuzz occurring. While this is normal and is actually how the sheath is designed to work, we expect this rope to wear out faster than other ropes on the market.
The Sterling Aero 9.2 XEROS's sheath wears out slightly faster than other ropes, but that's only a concern for daily climbers.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
It's not a deal breaker, but if you're looking for a workhorse rope that will last for years even with heavy use, this isn't the rope for you. But for the average climber who goes outdoor climbing several times a week, this rope is durable enough.
After heavy use on rough rocks like the high-friction granite of Lumpy Ridge, Colorado, the Aero 9.2's sheath wore out.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
versatility
The Sterling Aero 9.2 XEROS is the most versatile rope on the market and the rope we look for when going on long mountaineering trips that challenge our climbing discipline. The 9.2 millimeter diameter makes it ideal for versatility as the rope is light enough to carry deep into the alpine and thick enough to be used in single pitch cragging or top roping. This rope is perfect for multi-pitch climbing or on-sighting single-pitch routes, yet it's strong enough for multiple whippings at the gym or on outdoor crags, and light enough for backcountry missions. I am.
Not surprisingly, the Aero 9.2's versatility tapers off as you move toward either end of the spectrum. If you are hiking many kilometers into the backcountry for alpine climbing, this rope may be a little too thick and heavy. On the other hand, if you plan primarily on top-roping or aid climbing, we recommend a thicker rope that can withstand more impact. But for most climbers, these uses are few and far between, and most of their time is spent on sport crags and multi-pitch routes. For the majority of users, this rope offers great versatility.
Alpine climbing in Colorado with the Sterling Aero 9.2 XEROS. When heading to a sporting crag, I don't hesitate to grab this rope, especially if the route is long and sustained.
The Sterling Aero 9.2 is great for everything from alpine to single-pitch rock.
Features
Sterling Aero 9.2 XEROS comes with an impressive feature set that increases its versatility. First, ropes are divided into three grades: single rope, half rope, and twin rope. This means it can be used with a variety of advanced climbing systems. The rope comes in five color options, including two bi-pattern weaves. There are length options of 40m, 70m and 80m, but I bought the 70m as it is the most versatile. Finally, it has a UIAA-certified drying treatment that repels water and only absorbs up to 5% of the rope's weight. This is minimal.
Our test rope didn't have a bi-pattern and the black intermediate mark easily disappeared. Even when I took it out of the box, it was hard to see the mark in the middle against the dark blue sheath. This is the only complaint we have with the features of Sterling Aero 9.2, but it's not a big deal since most of the middle ground disappears over time. In our experience testing ropes, it is common to have to remark the center of the rope after every 15 to 20 uses.
The intermediate marks on the Sterling Aero 9.2 are difficult to see, even when new. If this is an issue, the rope comes in two patterns.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
weight
The Sterling Aero 9.2 sits in the middle of the pack at 56 grams per meter. The thicker the rope, the heavier the rope, and this rope fits exactly in the right place on the spectrum. It's far from the lightest rope on the market, and if you're heading deep into the backcountry or need to hike uphill a lot to get to the base of your route, you'll want a lighter rope. However, this rope is light enough for occasional high mountain trips.
The stretched weight of this rope is 7.4 lbs (3.36 kg) for a 60 m length, 8.6 lbs (3.92 kg) for a 70 m length, and 9.9 lbs (3.92 kg) for an 80 m length. 4.48 kg). This is a bit too heavy for long slogs to the base of the route, but is great for short to moderate approaches where durability and increased diameter are preferred once you reach the rocky area. Light enough for short approaches to multi-pitch rock climbing or ice climbing.
At 56 grams per meter on a 9.2 millimeter diameter rope, the Sterling Aero 9.2 isn't as light as some options, but it's lighter than most.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
We took this rope to the alpine several times and noticed its weight compared to the lightest ropes on the market. It wouldn't have been a deal breaker if the approach wasn't too long and our packs were full of other heavy items like large rock racks.
Alpine climbing in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park with the Sterling Aero 9.2.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
Should I buy Sterling Aero 9.2 XEROS?
This rope is perfect for climbers participating in all climbing disciplines, from alpine rock climbing and ice climbing to sport climbing and cragging. This is one of the few ropes on the market that is suitable for literally any type of climbing. Excellent for single-pitch sports, trad leads, and multi-pitch adventures, yet versatile enough for alpine climbing and top-roping. You can also use it at the gym. It's not cheap, but you can buy one rope for every use, which may save you money.
The Sterling Aero 9.2 Xeros is ideal for rocky and multi-pitch climbs.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
What other climbing ropes should I consider?
If you need a little more durability to focus on single-pitch climbing or top-roping while still maintaining great multi-pitch versatility, the Mammut 9.5 Crag Classic is our top choice and its environment We recommend the Mammut 9.5 Crag We Care Classic, which is a gentle twin. is also a great option. For even more durability, the Sterling Velocity XEROS 9.8 is the best workhorse rope on the market. If long, multi-pitch routes are your style, Beer Joker is unbeatable, but for single-pitch climbing it's not my cup of tea. If you're looking for the lightest single rope for high altitude and rugged alpine climbing, Beer Opera is the perfect choice.
The Sterling Aero 9.2 XEROS offers maximum versatility for all climbing disciplines, from sport crags to alpine.
Credit: Jeff Dobrony
