Trango Agility Duo Dry 9.1 Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
Trango Agility Duo Dry 9.1 | |||||
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Awards | |||||
Price | $470 List $337.46 at Backcountry | $127.46 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $82.39 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $224.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | The ends of this skinny premium rope are marked to improve safety | No rope does a better job of including all the attributes we want – durability, soft but safe catches, great handling, and all at a reasonable price | The most distinct bi-pattern we've seen combined with excellent performance and handling | An excellent deal on an environmentally friendly and high-performance rope | A good rope for single pitch trad climbs |
Rating Categories | Trango Agility Duo... | Mammut 9.5 Crag Cla... | Edelrid Tommy Caldw... | Mammut Crag We Care... | Beal Booster III |
Handling (35%) | |||||
Durability (25%) | |||||
Weight (20%) | |||||
Catch (20%) | |||||
Specs | Trango Agility Duo... | Mammut 9.5 Crag Cla... | Edelrid Tommy Caldw... | Mammut Crag We Care... | Beal Booster III |
Diameter | 9.1 mm | 9.5 mm | 9.3 mm | 9.5 mm | 9.7 mm |
Weight | 56 g/m | 59 g/m | 57 g/m | 59 g/m | 61 g/m |
Lengths Available | 70m, 80m | 60m, 70m, 80m | 60m, 70m, 80m | 60m, 70m, 80m | 60m, 70m |
Dry Coating Option | Duo Dry | Classic, No Dry Treatment | Eco Dry | Classic, No Dry Treatment | Dry Cover |
Middle Mark or Bi-Pattern Option | Middle mark | Middle mark | Bi-pattern | Middle mark | Middle mark |
Certified Use | Single, Half and Twin | Single | Single | Single | Single |
UIAA Fall Rating | Single 8, Half 30, Twin >50 | 6-7 | 7 | 6-7 | 8 |
Impact Force | 8.1 kN | 8.8 kN | 9 kN | 8.8 kN | 7.3 kN |
Static Elongation % (in use) | Singe 8.2, Half, 8.2, Twin 4.8 | 8.8 | 7.4 | 8.8 | 9.7 |
Dynamic Elongation % (first fall) | Single 33, Half 30, Twin 26 | 33.8 | 34 | 33.8 | 38 |
Sheath Proportion % | 37 | 40 | 39 | 40 | 42 |
Calculated Weight of Sheath | 20 g/m | 24 g/m | 22 g/m | 24 g/m | 26 g/m |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Trango Agility 9.1 is available in two color options: yellow or green. Both choices feature the same permanent obvious red markings on the last 5m of either end. The middle mark, however, features a usual pair of dyed black marks that are not permanent. You can expect these to wear off as quickly as they do on most other ropes.
Performance Comparison
Handling
From a handling perspective the most distinctive characteristic of the Trango Agility 9.1 is the 1-over-1 weave on the sheath. Most rock climbing ropes utilize a 2-over-2 pattern. A 1-over-1 pattern is common on many Maxim ropes and occasionally used by other brands. After talking to numerous climbers over several years, we've found that most climbers seem to prefer a 2-over-2 weave. Our testers noted that the specific 1-over-1 weave on the Agility felt somewhat squishy, almost as if there was excess space between the sheath and the core strands. After the rope was broken in they also complained that feeding slack with this rope through a GriGri was a little trickier and prone to occasionally sticking in the belay device.
Durability
With a slender diameter of 9.1mm, you shouldn't expect this version of the Trango Agility to be particularly durable. Rather, prospective shoppers should be prepared to accept that to enjoy the weight and handling advantages of a thinner rope, they will have to sacrifice some durability. Compared to similarly skinny ropes, the Agility did seem to hold up well. Its sheath percentage of 37% equates to 21 g of sheath per meter which is more than most ropes at this diameter.
Weight
The Trango Agility 9.1 weighs in at 56 g/m. That's pretty light for a rock climbing rope but on the heavier side for ropes near the same diameter. Our testers also noticed that the Agility 9.1 seemed to feel a little thicker than other ropes advertised with the same diameter. We've tried other 9.1mm ropes with weights as low as 53 g/m. For a 70m rope, that difference would equate to nearly a half pound of total weight savings.
Catch
The Trango Agility 9.1 is rated for use as a single, half, or twin rope. However, it would certainly be a heavy choice for half or twin use. Its single-rope impact force, static elongation, and dynamic elongation specifications all reside near a “sweet spot” near the middle of the range. In our tests, we thought it provided a pleasantly soft catch during lead falls combined with minimal stretch on top-rope hangs.
Should You Buy the Trango Agility 9.1
Deciding whether to spring for the Trango Agility 9.1 is a little tricky. Its scores in most of the usual areas we measure climbing rope performance were less than outstanding. At the same time, its price is rather high. Ordinarily, this would equate to it being a poor value. However, its distinctive RED FLAG markings do provide a clear safety benefit. If you would like to reduce the likelihood of a lowering or rappeling accident and can afford the added cost, the Agility 9.1 could be an excellent choice.
What Other Rock Climbing Ropes Should You Consider
The Trango Agility 9.1 isn't the first rope to feature distinctive markings to enhance convenience and safety. Bi-pattern ropes have been around for decades and are designed to offer a clear and permanent middle mark. Our favorite bi-pattern is the Edelrid Tommy Caldwell Eco Dry 9.3 because it's divided into bright blue and pink halves that are impossible to confuse. However, that rope is also expensive. If you're willing to sacrifice safety markings, our favorite affordable choice is the Mammut Crag We Care Classic.