To take care of your new rope, one of the best things to do is get a rope bag. will greatly extend the useful time of your rope. There are many different options and features to suite the different forms of rock climbing found in mountaineering. Sport climbing, technical, competition, big wall all expose your rope to different elements during the approach, and climbing out. During the haul in, using a good bag will protect your rope.
Rope Bag protection.
The quality and strength of a rope degrades over time. The amount of useful time you get out of it depends on how well you protect it from the elements. Ultraviolet (UV) light and dirt act to weaken it with prolonged exposure. For example, if you're actually on the rocks for a total cumulative time of 2 hours out of a 6 hour session, there is only the need to have the rope out of the bag for a small percentage of the time. Dust particles and rays can't work their way into the fibers as easily if the rope is enclosed. While a trash bag is better than nothing at all, rope bags have features climbers need to make hauling, hiking, storing the rope much easier. Many of them have tarps that unfold and lay on the ground for uncoiling and tying in. The bag itself may have pockets and gear clips and can serve as haul bag for long hikes into the site. Back straps provide easy carrying to the next site.
Convenience from a Rope Bag.
Rope bags make it unnecessary to coil the rope. Lay the rope on the tarp and tie the ends to the rope bag's loops. Loops allow the ends to fasten to the bag to prevent the rope from getting knotted with itself. Just untie one of the ends and pull. The rope comes out of the bag freely and without knots.
What to look for in a rope bag:
Nylon, Cordura, Durathane, Vinyl-laminated material including various leathers. The wide variety of material types provide advantage for various application or use. All material should be water repellant to keep the rope dry in the bag.
Rope bag sizes vary from 3 feet, or 1 meter, to 5 feet, or 1.5 meters.
Some rope bags are designed for a specific purpose. "Use" is listed.
14 to 16 ounces (400g - 500g) is typical for a rope bag. Many haul bags can be used for protecting the rope plus carry much more gear. Haul bags are heavier of course. They weigh about 8 pounds.
Varies from a year, to lifetime.
Rope bags have features that make it easier and more enjoyable to haul your climbing gear in to the crag.
External Pockets: Give you a place to keep your wallet and keys while hiking in or on the approach to a crag. Many offer zipper enclosures to keep them from falling out; some are internal to the bag.
Padded Straps: Let you carry the rope with less strain on shoulder.
Compression straps cinch the rope into a compact volume.
Zip, string or Velcro bag enclosures help quickly close the rope bag and make it ready for hauling.
Black Diamond Superslacker Rope Bag. Eliminates the need for coiling and protects your rope from dirt and debris, and serves as a rope bucket on long climbs. The Super Slacker rope bag sports a zipper closure and padded shoulder straps for easy and comfortable transport to the next crag.
Nylon
5'x3.5'
Approach in all weather
14.1 oz (399g)
Black Diamond Cinch Rope Bag. Has external pockets and padded straps. Designed by Black Diamond to withstand sport crag environment. The Cinch Rope Bag has a "quick-n-easy" closure system. Pack in the necessities and tug on the shoulder straps. The Velcro closure holds it closed. Very large for a rope bag--can also haul shoes, harness, draws, etc.
Nylon
8.5 square feet
Carry everything plus the rope in one bag.
32 oz (900g)
Metolius Rope Ranger Bag. The Metolius Rope Ranger Bag is big enough to carry rope, shoes, and a set of quickdraws. Has external pockets. A 4x5 foot tarp opens and lays on the ground to protect against dirt and gives the climber a place to stretch and put on rock shoes. The Rope Ranger bag comes with two padded shoulder to carry like a backpack.
Nylon
4x5 foot
Rope Haulin'
32 oz (4.4 kg)
Black Diamond Zion Haul Bag. The Black Diamond Zion Haul Bag is big enough for rope and gear for two people. Has a drawstring closure and haul straps. This is cool: Built in belay seat and padded hip belt and shoulder straps. Double-walled skirt and water repellant.
Vinyl-laminated
volume is 4580cu in (75L)
9 lb-8oz; 4.3 kg
Black Diamond Touchstone Haul and Rope Bag. The Black Diamond Touchstone Haul Bag is mid sized bag with haul straps and a drawstring closure. The Vinyl laminated material and sturdy suspension system with a double-walled skirt for easy access. The skirt keeps water off.
Vinyl-laminated
Volume is 8850cu in; 145L
9 pounds-8oz; (4.3 kg)
Metolius Durathane Express Haul Pack. The Metolius Durathane Express Haul Pack and rope and gear bag is very water resistant. Uses daisy chain gear loops. Made of Durathane fabric. Shoulder straps tuck in after hiking. Perfect bag for one-day walls, crags needing rope and gear hauling.
Durathane
Volume is 2380cu in (39L)
Long trad
2lbs 10oz
Metolius Ropemaster Rope Bag. Compact, duffel-style Ropemaster rope bag features a 4' x 5' tarp to stretch and boot up. Has tie-ins to hold each rope "end" in place. Compression straps cinch it down to small volume. Padded shoulder strap makes it easier to carry. Easy to deploy using aluminum buckles. Various colors.
4'x5'
Carry up to 70m rope without coiling kinks
16 oz (453g)
Outdoor Research Index Rope Bag. Has external pockets and two padded backpack straps. Uses a drawstring closure. The Outdoor Research Index Rope Bag is made from water-resistant 500D Cordura. It opens to form a lay-down tarp. Tie the rope in at two tie-in points. Easily carry a 60m rope, quickdraws, and rock shoes this rope bag and cinch it shut. Has a pocket for a guide book and a daisy chain for gear.
500D Cordura
Fits a 60 meter rope.
16.3 oz (460g)
Metolius Durathane El Cap Haul Bag. The Metolius El Cap Durathane Haul Bag an be used to haul all kinds of gear including ropes. It has 3 internal gear loops and haul points and the back panel uses closed cell foam. This is a massive 9600cu in. haul bag--has RF welded seams and comfortable suspension. There's a zippered pocket with a drain hole at bottom. Has a full strength haul point.
Durathane
Volume is 9600cu in. (157L)
Haul gear and ropes
128 oz (8 pounds or 17.6 kg)
Metolius Durathane Half Dome Haul Bag. The Metolius Durathane Half Dome Haul and rope bag is a medium size water resistant bag. Durathane is strong material to withstand more abrasion than vinyl laminated nylon. Has RF welded seams and a comfortable suspension. Gear loops and a zippered pocket are inside to stow smaller items, with small drain hole.
Durathane
volume is 7600cu in. (125L)
Big wall climbing
7 lbs-7oz
Black Diamond Stubby Haul Bag. The Black Diamond Stubby Haul Bag for rope and gear. Is a small rope and gear bag for one-day climbs. Has 2 shoulder haul straps, compression straps, drawstring. Waterproof and tough. Suspension system quickly tucks in to avoid snags.
Vinyl laminated nylon
Volume is 35L, 2136cu in
1.81kg, 3lb 15oz
Metolius Durathane Shield Haul Pack. Daisy chain gear loops, water resistant, the Metolius Durathane Sheild Haul Pack rope bag is made of the Metolius Durathane fabric. Straps tuck in to streamline profile to reduce snags.