A good winch is a must-have for the seasoned off-roader. While a steel cable will faithfully pull you out of almost any quagmire without snapping for years, it is bulky and susceptible to rusting. If you want a massive winch without making your rig front heavy, you will have to look for alternatives. The best bet would be a synthetic winch rope.
Is Synthetic Winch Rope Better than Cable?
Yes. It is for most users thanks to its resilience, lightweight and flexibility. Even though they might not beat the tensile strength of a well-woven steel cable, they will be strong enough for virtually all your offroad winching needs.
Is a Synthetic Winch Rope Worth it?
Synthetic winch ropes are way lighter than their cable counterparts. This means your winch construction will be lighter making your car less front heavy. The cable will also be easier to pull and maneuver especially if you have to pull a long length before getting to your designated anchor point. Here are the best synthetic winch ropes in the market currently.
Top 5 Synthetic Winch Ropes
| Name | Towing Capacity | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FieryRed Synthetic Winch Rope | 25,000 lbs | 85 feet x 3/8 inches | |
| WARN 87915 Spydura Synthetic Winch Cable Rope | 10,000 lbs | 100 feet x 3/8 inches | |
| Extreme Max 5600.3081' "The Devil's Hair" ATV / UTV Winch Rope | 6,000 lbs | 50' feet x 3/16" inch with splice | |
| AUXMART Synthetic Winch Rope | 20,500 lbs | 95 feet x 3/8 inches | |
| X-BULL SK75 3/8" x 100’Dyneema Synthetic Winch Rope | 23,809 Lbs | 100 feet x 3/8 inches |
FieryRed Synthetic Winch Rope
Of you are looking for a cheap synthetic winch rope that still delivers, then this is your best option. It was designed to work with a variety of winches ranging from 9,000 lbs to 14,500 lbs. Making it perfect to use with your 4WD Off-Road Vehicle JEEP SUV. It features heavy-duty construction using 12 strands braided design using ultra-tough nylon. Which makes it is rust-proof and waterproof. Its maximum breaking capacity of 25,000 lbs, This nylon winch rope is affordable and much safer than traditional steel cable
Features
- Pull weight range9,000 lbs to 14,500 lbs
- Ultra-tough nylon
- 12 strands braided design
- Water-resistant
- UV, chemical and weather-resistant
- Low stretch
Pros
- Rust and waterproof
- Lightweight
- Floats on the water surface
Cons
- The eyelet is not durable
WARN 87915 Spydura Synthetic Winch Cable Rope
Warn Spydura synthetic winch rope is one of the strongest synthetic rope in the market currently. It is lighter and easier to handle than traditional wire rope. It is made from high molecular weight polyethylene material that is abrasion-resistant. Which also gives it excellent tensile strength.
The rope measures 100 feet x 3/8 inches and is coated with black urethane for increased ultraviolet and chemical resistance. The rope kit includes the rope, a ballistic nylon sliding sleeve that provides extra protection against abrasion and wears, and a hook and hook strap. The rope has a maximum 10,000 pounds pull rating.
Features
- Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
- 100 feet x 3/8 inches
- Coated with black urethane
- 10,000 pounds pull rating
Pros
- Abrasion-resistant
- Excellent tensile strength
- Ultraviolet and chemical resistant
Cons
- It does not have a sliding sleeve
Extreme Max 5600.3081′ “The Devil’s Hair” ATV / UTV Winch Rope
Extreme Max winch rope is a universal fit, and it fits all standard ATV and UTV winches. It is made from proprietary SynSteel in a braided winch line design. The winch rope has a 6,000 lbs breaking strength. It measures 3/16″ x 50′ with splice.
It is safer than metal winch cables or chains due to its design and lack of frays or burr formation. The winch is 1/7th of the weight of a steel winch cable. Which enables it to float on water. The rope is easy to handle. It doesn’t fishhook or kink like cable.
Features
- Proprietary synsteel fiber
- 6,000 lbs. breaking strength
- 3/16″ x 50′
Pros
- Universal fit
- Lightweight
- Does not fray, burr or kink
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Not ideal for pulling heavy loads
AUXMART Synthetic Winch Rope
The Auxmart synthetic winch rope is made from pre-stretched and heat set Dyneema fibers. It can repel heat and cold, providing superior performance in poor climates. It is made from high-strength forged steel, and it has a screw-in pin for hassle-free mounting. It features a 3/4-inch D-ring shackle and a 9.84ft long protective sleeve. The protective sleeve can also be used as a tree trunk protector to avoid damaging trees during recoveries.
The winch cable has a breaking strength of 20,500 lbs as the steel used to forge it is more durable than traditional steel cable while being much lighter and durable. The rope’s 3/8-inch thickness and 95 feet long design makes it versatile and perfect for many applications. You can use it for pulling, hauling, dragging, or lifting. The rope floats, making vehicle or object recovery from water and or mud much easier. Lastly, it won’t develop the burrs making it safer to use without gloves.
Features
- Pre-stretched and heat proofed
- Dyneema fibers
- Screw-in pin
- 84ft long protective sleeve
- 3/8 inch thickness
- D-ring shackle
- Stainless steel thimble
Pros
- Strong and Versatile
- Heat and cold resistant
- Crafted from high-strength forged steel
- Hassle-free mounting
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons
- Maximum weight 8,000 pounds
X-BULL SK75 3/8″ x 100’Dyneema Synthetic Winch Rope
This affordable synthetic winch rope has a proprietary synthetic braided line design and has a maximum 23,809 lbs breaking strength capacity. It is extremely light, and it floats in water. It has minimal stretch and is designed to be non-rotational.it can be used in temperatures as low as -20 degrees centigrade. The rope is easy to handle and splice.
To prevent any scratches, it does not have sharp frays. It is also made using material that is UV resistant for increased durability. As well as moisture resistant. The rope resists water absorption providing an extra level of protection and durability. It has a 65 mm loop eye and a 6 mm eyelet. Lastly, the rope has a low stretch with no recoil in the unlikely event of breakage.
Features
- Braided design
- UV resistant
- Moisture resistant
- Low stretch
- Heat resistant
- One-year warranty
- Protective polyester sleeve
- Protective sheath
Pros
- Extremely light
- Float in water
- No sharp frays
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Not ideal for heavyweights
Conclusion
The best synthetic winch rope should be able to pull you out of any quagmire. The higher the maximum weight limit, the better. You should also get one with a sleeve to prevent the rope from unraveling on both ends. Also, look for a rope with a cover to prevent it from getting muddy.
Or one that is easy to clean. The rope should also be heat resistant, stretch resistant, and lightweight. The last thing you need when using your winch rope is having to bring in extra help to help lay and attach the winch because it’s too heavy.