A static rope is a special type of climbing rope, which does not stretch like a dynamic climbing rope. A static rope (usually 10mm to 11 mm in diameter) is usually used as a fixed rope (attached to anchors and left in place) for climbing the rope itself with ascenders or rappelling down it.

Static ropes are stronger and last longer than dynamic ropes, but they are not to be used for actual rock climbing except as a top-rope because their lack of stretch and elasticity causes the force of a fall to be placed on other parts of the climber’s safety system, including climbing anchors and harness, and can lead to failure and severe injury.