The Best Rope For Bondage: Which Type Should You Buy? [2024]

Itching to find out the best rope for bondage that will give you the most satisfaction? Saddle up because you are in for a treat!

Ever since my first serious girlfriend bound me with my own pantyhose, I’ve been fascinated with restraint play.

But when I started exploring the world of ropes I suddenly found myself tied in knots…

I’m pretty impatient and wanted to get started with the best bondage rope.

I soon realized that there isn’t just ONE best rope for bondage, but ropes better suited for different types of rope bondage experience levels. 

At the end of the day, learning the ropes (yep, rope puns!) takes time, effort, and patience. 

But where there’s a will, there’s a rope! 

So, whether you’re a rope bondage beginner or Shibari master, a rigger or top (rope giver) or a bottom (rope receiver), we’re here to help untangle the details.

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Top Ropes for Bondage In 2024

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Comfortable with your beginner ropes and ready to take it up a notch?

Bamboo silk is a popular progression choice. It’s super soft with a very low tooth (friction) which makes it really easy to tie.

AND it feels amazing as it glides over the body…I just got shivers!

For the best silk rope, hit up deGiotto ropes. Giotto Shelton has been a rigger, Shibari educator, and rope maker for almost 10 years and is a bondage household name.

His bamboo silk bondage rope kit includes 4 x 30ft ropes and 2x15ft ropes, handcrafted from 70% bamboo and 30% silk to combine strength and sensuality. 

The kit is a little on the pricey side at $200 so you will need to weigh up how much you want to spend on such delicate ropes. With moderate use, they will last about six months. 

If you only bring out the bondage gear every once and a while to spice things up, then they should last longer and will be well worth the price tag. 

BUT, if you want more silk time for less cash…opt for a Silk Binding Sash. While it’s not technically ‘rope’, it’s sexy, it’s silky, and gives you plenty of bondage options. 

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This rope is a great option when you want quality at value.

This rope is super soft, feels luxurious yet the knots stay in place so it should keep both top and bottom happy!

The 10meters length is plenty for bedroom bondage for beginners and more experienced rope lovers. 

It is just one rope though, so if you decide to cut it to give more bondage options, just be aware that it will fray.

But you can easily sort that out by taping, whipping, or knotting the ends (more on this below).

If that isn’t budget enough, then you can also pick up your own length of rope from any hardware store. If you do, stick to a braided cotton rope. 

Why?

Because it’s cheap, it’s strong, has decent friction, it’s washable, and if you want to get fancy, you can also dye it. 

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Shibari is an exact art and if you’ve made it to this level of bondage, then you take your rope choice super seriously. As you should! 

Shibari literally translates from Japanese as “decoratively tie” and the traditional rope for this ancient art is jute.

Hemp is also widely used but shibari purists will say this is Westernized fusion bondage and not strictly Shibari!

But jute isn’t the Shibari rope of choice just out of tradition. It’s lighter, more flexible, and holds knots extremely well.

Of course, jute ropes don’t come cheap but buying a full kit can save you some cash for your kink!

Check out Esinem Rope; they offer quality specialist rope without the specialist price tag. 

They have a variety of jute rope kits including an “Extra Kit” for the shibari veteran ready to take their ropes off the ground (suspension!):

Bear in mind that the Esinem jute ropes can be a little stiff at the beginning. But this is pretty standard for jute and they will soften with use.

Great excuse for more rope play!

Update: Esinem wasn’t available so linking to the next best option:

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A great go-to rope for beginners in bondage use is cotton.

It’s affordable (so you won’t waste money if you decide it’s not your thing), it’s super soft and strong. 

Cotton also holds knots well– a little too well at times! But it’s also really easy to cut with scissors, giving you added peace of mind as you start out.

The Curiosity Cotton Kit from is a great place to start your rope journey as they come with a pair of safety scissors and a Getting Started DVD. 

Of course, you can always go the DIY route…

For a DIY Rope Bondage Starter Kit, you’ll need one length of 30ft rope and two 15ft ropes. And a good pair of scissors.

Believe me…you will get yourself into a few tight spots in the beginning! 

With just these 3 ropes, you’ll have plenty of options for a variety of ties. 

For example:

• Simple Chest Harness 
• Simple Leg Harness
• Single & Double Column Ties 
• Frog Tie 
• Hog Tie

Check out our SHIBARI 101: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO JAPANESE ROPE BONDAGE for tying tips!

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For you kinksters looking to ‘edge’ up your scene, you can easily do so by choosing a rougher rope with a smaller diameter to increase pressure – great as a BDSM rope. 

You can go for cheaper natural ropes such as sisal or manila, but what you save in cash, you lose in tooth and strength.

So, for the best quality rope and extra pain, reach for a 4.5mm jute rope.

It’s the perfect diameter and surface coverage to dig into the skin just enough to leave those pretty rope marks…such a delicious playtime reminder!

Jute is also a good choice for those into the more torture bondage (restraining the receiver in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, often in suspension).

Jute is strong enough for suspension and the rougher texture heightens discomfort.

BUT, wait!

If you are suspending with jute, use a thicker diameter of rope to make sure it can support the receiver’s weight. 

And while we are on the subject of suspension…

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While jute is often used for suspension, hemp rope is stronger and since the suspension is one of the riskier rope type for bondage…factor in safety reasons first!

Thinner rope types can cause circulation problems and nerve damage.

Many riggers like hemp for the flexibility and tooth while rope receivers like it for its natural scent and the fact that it’s softer on the skin. 

An 8mm hemp rope size is ideal for critical support lines but for other ropes, you can use the easier to maneuver 6mm hemp rope. 

Twisted Monk has a great collection of hemp in a variety of colors and lengths so you can create your own suspension kit.

Get yourself 8-10 a long hemp rope (30ft) for a body harness and vertical lines. Then add a few shorter ropes (10ft or 5ft) for smaller body parts and utility lines. 

Oh, and one more thing!

Some people can be allergic to hemp, so if this is a concern for either top or bottom, then synthetic hemp or a reinforced jute will work. 

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Best rope for bondage Buying Guide

Know Your Rope Needs

Before you go rope shopping you need to think about what it is you want from your rope. 

Do you want the ropes to simply look pretty? 

 …or something more functional in restraining? 

If you’re a rope receiver, do you want a softer restraint?

…or something a little rough around the edges? 

You need to ask these questions, because…

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There Are Different Ropes For Different Types Of Bondage:

Decorative Bondage

Shibari, the Japanese art of ‘decorative tying’ is restraining a partner for aesthetic purposes, such as erotic photography or for one’s own pleasure. 

Rope Needs?

• Flexibility 
• Ease in handling 
• Good grip to hold knots in place 
• A shine that looks great on camera 

Best Ropes: Jute, hemp, or silk rope

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Floor Work And Bedroom Bondage 

Floor work is bondage which keeps the rope receiver in a submissive position on the floor, while bedroom bondage can be anything from light bondage to edge play.

Rope Needs?

• Softer rope (for lighter bondage)
• More bite (for edge play)
• Strength
• Good grip

Best ropes: Silk rope, silk sash, cotton rope or nylon rope

(For edge play – jute, or smaller diameter ropes) 

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Suspension Bondage

Rope receiver is tied and hung, either completely or partially, from overhead suspension points.

Rope Needs? 

• Good tooth (the ‘drag’ or friction) 
• Strength is key
• Wider diameter (8mm for main supports)
• Excellent grip
• Not slippery

Best ropes: Jute and hemp

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What To Look Out For When Shopping For Bondage Ropes

Diameter: determines maneuverability, handling, and safety/comfort:

• 7-8mm: gives superior strength but will be stiffer, heavier and harder to work with 
• 4mm: will give flexibility, but will be very weak and will bite into the skin under tension 
• 6mm: rope is a good compromise for strength, weight, and flexibility

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Length: get the right lengths for your needs with a beginner’s kit

• Traditional shibari is done with ropes between 23 and 27 feet (7-8 meters), which is fine for tying someone with a slim frame, but if you are tying someone larger, then go 30-50ft 
• If you do suspension play, you’ll require more rope
• Go for multiple ropes of the same length. If you need a longer rope, tie them together!

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Strength: varies on fiber and diameter 

• Nylon (often used as boat rope) is the strongest and most durable rope but not suitable for all types of bondage
• Always check the breaking strength of your rope before any suspension play
• For suspension choose a rope which can take 5-10x the weight of the load
• Suspension causes friction which can increase the strain on the rope by up to 250%

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Braid / Twist: how the strands of your rope are woven together 

• The density of the braid will affect how compact knots get and how easy or difficult it will be to untie them 
• A rope classed as a ‘solid braid’ is just as it sounds…it has a weave of multiple strands together forming a more solid piece of rope

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The Tooth / The Friction 

• The tooth is the ropes ability to ‘bite’ or grab onto itself
• Also referred to as the ‘drag’ 
• Determines how well the knots will hold 
• The greater the tooth, the better the hold 
• The lower the tooth, the higher the chance of frictions/knots slipping

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Colored Rope: can affect durability

• You can buy ropes pre-colored, or you can dye them yourself 
• Colored natural rope is super broken-in to accept the dye, so they don’t last as long as non-colored natural rope

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Softness: comfort is important!

• Nylon and cotton are your softer bondage ropes
• Jute and hemp are a little rougher
• Rougher ropes may cause rope burns when dragged across the skin (can be a good or bad thing, depending on your kink!)

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Price: how much should you expect to pay?

• General sex shop selling random rope bondage tend to overprice
• The local hardware store will be the cheapest
• You can find good quality rope at different price ranges on specialist rope bondage stores.

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Common Bondage Rope Types 

Synthetic

Fiber

Pros

Cons

Fiber

MFP (multifilament polypropylene)

Nylon

Polyester

Paracord

Synthetic Hemp

Pros

• color variety
• soft and smooth
• easy to find
• no allergies

• durable
• breaks in quickly
• bends well
• nice sheen
• feels great against skin
• maintains shape

• durable
• cheap
• easy to find
• easy to clean
• moderately flexible
• low stretch

• cheap
• easy to find
• smooth and soft on the skin
• easy to clean

• flexible
• low stretch
• high durability
• very high strength
• good grip
• good for suspension bondage

Cons

• poor tooth (friction)
• not quite as strong as other ropes
• not good for suspension
• susceptible to friction damage

• more expensive than other synthetic rope
• more slippery (you will need to use knots to make sure)

• knots compact
• slippery
• stiff compared to other ropes
• not as soft as other synthetic rope

• hard to dye
• bad tooth
• slippery
• rope burns likely
• a lot of stretch
• knots compact

• quite stiff
• plastic-feeling
• limited color
• quality varies widely

Natural

Fiber

Pros

Cons

Jute

• flexible
• holds decorative knots well
• great sheen
• pretty good grip
• strong
• lightweight
• easy to dye
• traditional shibari rope

• expensive
• not so durable
• needs time to be broken in
• washing degrades fibers
• slower to tie with 
• needs care and attention

Hemp

• great grip
• strong
• super flexible
• smell earthy (good for sensual play)
• machine washable
• soft feel
• variety of colors
• traditional shibari rope

• lower sheen (not as aesthetically pleasing)
• expensive
• quality can vary greatly
• can shed fibers
• washing weakens the rope
• can be a little scratchy on the skin

Linen/ Flax

• good tooth
• easier to tie
• soft but will leave rope marks (a pro if you want marks!)
• flexible
• good strength
• no need to break it in

• expensive
• harder to clean
• not as durable as other natural fibers

Cotton

• cheap
• decent tooth (friction)
• washable
• pretty strong
• soft on skin
• possible to dye it
• lightweight

• knots can be impossible to untie
• gets dirty easily
• needs softening after washing
• can stretch over time

Silk / Bamboo silk

• flexible
• soft texture
• moderate friction
• low stretch
• shine – looks great!
• bamboo silk has natural
• antibacterial properties

• quite expensive (luxury choice of rope)
• not as durable

Manila, sisal, coir

• cheap
• moderate friction
• low stretch
• fairly durable
• moderate strength

• stiff
• splinter easily
• harsh texture
• not considered strong enough for suspension

Synthetic vs Natural Rope: What’s Best For Bondage?

Some rope purists out there will swear by one rope or the other. But to be honest, it really comes down to your personal preference and the type of bondage. 

Generally, if you are a bondage beginner, start with nylon rope or cotton rope. They’re cheap so you won’t break the bank as you practice. 

As your passion for rope grows, you’ll likely want to jump to the more specialized natural ropes of jute and hemp.

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Where To Buy Bondage Rope

As mentioned earlier, you can pick up cheap ropes in local hardware stores. But if you want something that looks sexier than your garden rope, then you need to go online! 

Luckily, there are loads of websites selling bondage rope for rope rookies and rigging pros alike.

Here are a few worth checking out:

https://www.degiottorope.com

https://www.twistedmonk.com

https://www.stockroom.com/

http://www.esinem-rope.com

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Bondage Rope is a Team Decision

The decision of rope should be made by both the rope giver and rope receiver.

The rigger may be the one in control of the rope but that should never override the receiver’s wants or needs.

They are giving up their body to you and the ropes, and that demands respect! 

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FAQs and Bondage Basics

How Much Rope Do You Need For Bondage?

You’re just starting out, go for 5 x 7-8 meters for some body harnesses and sexy corsets. Plus a few shorter pieces, 3 x 3-4 meter ropes.

If you’re creating your own shibari kit or suspension kit, then you’re going to need a lot more. Basically, having more rope is better than not having enough.

You can always cut the rope, but you can’t magically make it longer!

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Rope Care: How To Clean My Bondage Rope?

Most synthetic ropes can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or wet wipe.

Cotton and silk ropes should be hand-washed in cold water or on a delicate/lingerie machine wash. Then let them dry by hanging in loose coils.

Hemp ropes can be deep cleaned by popping them in a pillowcase and into the washer for a cold wash. 

For looser weave jute ropes avoid the washing machine. This can open them up too much. Use a dishwasher instead! 

After washing jute or hemp, dry them strung out like a washing line. Then treat them with a little rope oil to keep it’s conditioning process at a premium level.

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How To Soften Stiff Rope?

New ropes are like new shoes, you gotta break them in otherwise, not only will they be tough to handle but they will cause rope burns when dragged across the skin.

To soften up your rope you can boil it for no more than a few minutes.

BUT never boil your jute as it will break down the weave. Work your jute ropes through your hands for a while and they will soften with use.

You can also break in polyester ropes by popping them in a wash/no-heat dry cycle. While synthetic hemp will soften with use.

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How To Stop Rope From Unraveling?

There are various ways to avoid fraying or unraveling: but the main two are to whip it or knot it.

Whipping the ends leaves them flatter, allowing for a smoother flow when pulling the ropes. Other riggers prefer the knots as they are just sturdier and won’t come off mid-play. 

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How To Store Bondage Rope?

No one wants to start a ‘scene’ by untangling ropes. But just as there are many different ropes, there are just as many ways to store them!

There is the Daisy Chain method, which is good for longer lengths but ropes stored for long periods of time in this way will get kinky…(and not in a good way!).

The best way to store jute rope is to hang it as this will let them air and keep them straight.

There are also easy to follow How-To videos on YouTube for correctly coiling Shibari ropes.

But I particularly like this coiling (or hank) method as it allows you to snap the rope out dramatically when it comes to the next playtime!

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Rope Up and Let’s Go!

Rope play can be an absolute delight! But having the best rope for bondage can be the difference between bondage bliss and a nasty accident.

Choosing the right rope to add to your collection of the best bondage toys will mean maximum pleasure and just the right amount of pain!