Home > Climbing

Couch To Ladder: 10 Uses For Old Climbing Rope

Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

What do you do when your climbing rope reaches the end of its load-bearing lifetime? You can let it take up space in storage, recycle it, or, like these creative climbers below, turn it into something new.

The Access Fund, a national advocacy group that preserves climbing environments, asked its members to submit photos of old ropes put to new use. These were a few of the results.


Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2013; here we update it for 2017.


1. Rope Couch

Rope Couch made from old climbing rope
Handmade “rope couch” among the more creative submissions

2. Rope Ladder

ladder from old climbing rope
View from the top of a handmade rope ladder

3. Dog Leash Rope

climbing rope dog leash
Dog leash

4. Rope Lawn Chairs

climbing rope lawn chairs
Lounge chairs made out of old ropes? Brilliant.

5. Rope Rug

climbing rope dog matt
This DIY rug is dog-approved!

6. Rope Wine Bottle Holder

Recycling ideas for old climbing rope
Impress climber friends with a homemade wine holder

7. Picture Frame

Old climbing rope uses
Frame your photo

8. Mesmerizing Rope Mat

Climbing rope floor mat
Psychedelic patterns on this repurposed rug

9. Rope Chalk Bag

Climbing rope chalk bag
Recycled rope chalk bag

10. Rope Beer Koozie

creative ways to use retired rope
A perfect koozie for a post-climb brew

See more entries at the Access Fund’s Facebook page under its “Retired Rope Creations” post.

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!

Join Our GearJunkie Newsletter

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!