Best Synthetic Winch Ropes of 2021 – Complete Review

| Last Updated: January 3, 2022

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Adventures make life much more fun and meaningful, don't they?

There is nothing like jumping into your Jeep and traversing the roads and forests. But, there are times when your Jeep gets stuck in a muddy pool or refuses to roll over rough terrain. In times like these, you cannot always get help from others and are mostly on your own.

A winch rope is your greatest help in many situations, as it helps your Jeep overcome the obstruction more quickly. We have reviewed some of the best products on the market and also provided some valuable information to help you choose the best one.

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Has a size of 3/8 inches x 100 feet
  • Black urethane coating to ensure its durability
  • Compact and lightweight unit made by industry leaders
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  • Ultra-powerful winch rope is the best overall
  • Comes with a breaking strength of 20500 lbs.
  • 95 ft. x 3/8" size, long enough for almost all uses
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  • Has a size of 3/16" x 50'
  • Has an advanced 12 strand structure
  • Best for the money abrasion-resistant rope
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  • Has a size of 3/16" x 50'
  • Comes with a strong splice at the end
  • 6000 lbs. breaking strength makes it the runner-up
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  • Comes in a size of 1/4" x 50'
  • Has 12 stranded ropes for better tensile strength
  • Premium quality AUXMART synthetic winch rope
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What is a Synthetic Winch Rope?

A synthetic winch rope is essentially a thick and strong rope made of synthetic fibers. It can bear more pressure and tugging, which enables it to keep your Jeep on track. Synthetic winch ropes are an appreciable upgrade from the steel cables that came with Jeeps in the past. They are safer and more reliable than winch ropes or steel cables.

What is Synthetic Winch Rope Made of?

Synthetic winch ropes are made of multiple synthetic materials but the most common is ultra-high molecular polyethylene. It usually has a urethane coating for protection against UV rays and chemicals. This helps increase the strength and life of the rope so it will last for many years.

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How to Choose Synthetic Winch Rope

A synthetic winch rope is going to be a great help, but only if you buy the right one. So, here is how to choose one which fulfills your needs.

Durability

The top priority while buying a synthetic winch rope should be its durability. After all, you are spending your hard-earned money on it, so it should last a long while. These are naturally more durable, as they do not corrode like steel cables.

Tensile Strength

A synthetic winch rope has to drag your Jeep and other vehicles, so it has to have great tensile strength. This way, no matter how hard you pull, it will not break apart. It's much more important when you're alone in a forest and have to stay mobile on any terrain.

Weight

Synthetic fibers are usually very lightweight. This is because they have artificial arrangements to increase their strength and reliability. Also, if you carry the rope with you, it will be easier to carry if it is lightweight. So, go for a lightweight product for smooth traveling. 

Abrasion Resistance

Abrasion resistance is more common in synthetic winch ropes than steel cables. It helps you enjoy using your rope for a long time. The protective coat does not cause the fibers to fall apart in chunks, increasing the abrasion resistance.

Review of the Best Portable Electric Winches

Well, now that you know what synthetic winch ropes are, you might be looking for some options to buy one. Here is a review of the top portable electric winches to help you make the right decision.

Best Overall:
WARN 87915 Spydura

PROS

  • Very high tensile strength
  • Weighs only 9.15 pounds so very lightweight
  • Made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
  • Resistant to corrosion, chemicals, rain, and sunlight
  • Comes with a nylon sleeve to provide added protection

CONS

  • Only good for 10,000 pounds or less pulling power
  • Compatible with polished aluminum hawse fairlead only

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers have had a good time using it because they knew all the specifications while buying it. They love its lightweight nature which helps in transporting it as well as storing less kinetic energy. Because of all these reasons, recent buyers also recommended it to others looking to buy such a rope. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

It has grabbed our attention with its heavy-duty polyethylene material construction. It leaves little room for stretching and increases the tensile strength. The nylon sleeve protection is another great thing about it.

Who Will Use This Most

It is most useful for people who have vehicles with polished aluminum hawse fairlead. The rope is highly compatible with them and makes spooling easier as well as firmer. It is also great for people who need to move around in different weather conditions.

Bottom Line

All in all, it is a wonderful synthetic winch rope which provides its users with a lot of benefits. So, it can be great for you if you need something light yet very strong. Not to forget, Warn is known for making only the best quality products.

Runner-up:
AUXMART

AUXMART Synthetic Winch Rope Winch Line Cable 20500LBs Protective Sleeve 95ft x 3/8' for ATV UTV SUV Truck Boat Ramsey Black

PROS

  • Very lightweight and easy to carry along
  • Does not kink or fray, even after repeated use
  • Has a protective sleep-mode to prevent overheating 
  • Very safe due to less kinetic energy storage
  • Length of 95 feet is more than enough on the road

CONS

  • More suited for ATV, SUV, and UTVs 
  • Rope gets cracked if most of it does not winch

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers are very happy with their purchase as the winch rope has helped them a lot. They like its length of 95 feet the most as it enables them to use it as anchors that go further along than standard units. Buyers also like the protective sleep of the rope, which keeps things cool and safe.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stands out to us because of the safety it offers. It has a very lightweight body which stores minimal kinetic energy. This, in return, makes the rope safer for carrying in your vehicle. The prevention of kinks and frays is also great as it increases the life of the rope.

Who Will Use This Most

This rope is great for people who love to explore far-flung areas. You can rely on it to bring you out of any problems or overcome hurdles in your path. In fact, it is sturdy enough to drag along another fully-loaded vehicle too.

Bottom Line

The bottom line on this is that this synthetic winch rope leaves the other similar products behind by a great margin. Its breaking strength, size, and protection from environmental stressors are amazing. Also, its price is just perfect, making it the ideal choice for adventurers.

Best for the Money:
QIQU Yellow 3/16"

Green 3/16'*50ft Atv Utv Winch Line ATV Synthetic Winch Rope Synthetic Winch Cable

PROS

  • Has a heavy-duty coat of thimble PU
  • Breaking strength of 4500 lbs. at most
  • Resistant to UV, rain and other stressors
  • Can work with an extension rope or towing rope
  • Works fine even below the temperature of -20°C

CONS

  • Stretches and breaks easily
  • Does not have a very practical breaking strength

What Recent Buyers Report

The people who bought it lately are fond of the way it costs less and offers so much. Its abrasion resistance prevented all kinds of injuries that they got previously from winch ropes. They also like it because of the 12 strand structure, which provides greater strength and grip.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It distinguishes itself to us from others because of its heavy-duty thimble PU coating. This protective layer prevents the rope from all kinds of damage by water, sunlight, or chemicals. Due to this, it can stay in use for a long time without needing any repairs. 

Who Will Use This Most

This winch rope is great for people who work in extremely low temperatures. Most synthetic winch ropes give way when used under 0°C as they cannot stand such low temperatures. But this one can work just fine even if you go below -20°C.

Bottom Line

This winch rope is very well priced and helps the buyers in multiple ways. Its abrasion resistance and the protective coating are the best things about it. Hence, you should buy this one if you do not want to go too high on your budget.

4. Extreme Max 5600.3081'

Extreme Max 5600.3081 'The Devil's Hair' Synthetic ATV / UTV Winch Rope - Gray

PROS

  • No frays or kinks like other products
  • Weighs only 1/7 of the usual steel cables
  • High safety due to tight knitting of fibers
  • Very high strength-to-weight ratio for efficiency
  • Has high resistance for water and sunlight damage

CONS

  • Does not have a very long life
  • The rope does not come pre-stretched

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers have recommended it to everyone who wants to have a highly efficient synthetic winch rope. They like how easy it is to install as all the necessary tools come along with it. Moreover, they find it very tightly stranded as it does not fray.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It makes it to our list as a runner-up because of its incredible strength-to-weight ratio. It weighs only 1/7 of the usual steel cables of the same size. This helps in carrying it around more easily as you will not need anyone else to give you a hand.

Who Will Use This Most

This winch rope will be most useful for people who have to drag heavy objects along their vehicle. Whether it is a large tree off the driveway or some rusty tow-away car, it will work fine. So, if you have loads of junk to move around, go for this one. 

Bottom Line

Summing it up, this synthetic winch rope is impressive in a lot of ways. It is lightweight enough to ensure the minimum possible kinetic energy storage. Also, it has very tight stranding, so it does not come off even on constant use.

5. Yoursme Nylon Synthetic Winch Cable

Yoursme Nylon Synthetic Winch Cable Rope with Sheath for SUV ATV UTV Winches Truck Boat Ramsey Car 1/4' x 50'-8000LB+ Orange

PROS

  • Comes with a warranty of 3 years
  • A 1.55m long black protective sleeve
  • Breaking strength of the rope is 7500 lbs.
  • Has amazing chemical and corrosion protection
  • Solid metal loop at the end makes using it easier

CONS

  • Not ideal for very heavy usage
  • The protective sleeve wears out quickly

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers had different kinds of experiences with this synthetic winch rope. Most of them found it very helpful in dragging around stuff and overcoming obstructions. But a few of them reported breakage of rope earlier than they expected. However, for most, it was the ideal option and was worth the money. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

It catches our eye because of its bright orange color. But it has entered our list due to its amazing features. The protective sleeve is a great safety option as it avoids abrasion and keeps the rope safe. This is why it lasts longer than many other ropes in the market.

Who Will Use This Most

The people who only have light uses from it will benefit the most from it. Since the winch rope does not have a very high breaking strength, it is good for light usage only. 

Bottom Line

In our opinion, it is a great option for people who have prior experience of using synthetic winch ropes. This makes it easier to use, and they will know how to take care of the rope. Just avoid keeping the rope moist for long as it will loosen the strands.

Benefits of Synthetic Winch Ropes

Synthetic winch ropes have revolutionized the way people winch their vehicles. They are so easy to use and have so many benefits that it is hard not to like them. The following are some of the major advantages that you will get on board with the idea of these ropes rather than steel cables. 

Weather Resistance

Steel cables are prone to damage due to weather conditions. Moisture causes them to corrode and become weaker. However, synthetic winch ropes are resistant to the changes in weather. They also have coats on them to prevent any damage caused by the sun or rain.

No Kinks

Since synthetic winch ropes have tight knitting of fibers and polyethylene, it has no kinks in it. The loose fibers or kinks cause the rope to fall apart. As a result, you have to invest in another one all over again. But this does not happen with synthetic ropes as they have no loose chunks.

Higher Safety Level

Synthetic winch ropes do not cause any injuries when you use them with bare hands. The splinters and steel burrs in them make handling such ropes easier and safer. This way, they do not even damage other stuff that you keep with them.

How to Install Synthetic Winch Ropes

Installing a synthetic winch rope is not tricky or difficult. You just need to have all the tools required for installing it to put your knowledge to work. Here is a simplified way of installing these to make things easy for you.

  1. Get the recovery box or tool kit of the synthetic winch rope and place it near your vehicle.

  2. Make sure that both the winch rope and the drum attachment are dry so as to avoid slippery spooling.

  3. Now, take the end of the winch rope, run it through the drum attachment and insert it in the hole.

  4. Then bolt this end in its place in the hole.

  5. Now, you have to start spooling. Do not forget to put on your gloves before starting to spool the wench. You should do the first 3-5 wraps by hand and then use an anchor.

  6. Make sure that you keep a safe distance from the drum attachment while spooling to avoid any accidents.

  7. Place a pull pal on the winch line to keep the rope free of tangles. It will protect your hands, as well.

  8. After spooling it, secure it with the hook, and you are good to go.

You can use this video for further clarification of how to install a synthetic winch rope.

Conclusion

When you're going on an off-road adventure, a winch is essential. While many people still prefer cables, synthetic winch ropes are a much better option. The only thing is to ensure you choose the right one because, in times of need, only the best products can help. So, go through our detailed reviews and our buying guide to ensure you buy the best one that falls within your budget. 

People Also Ask

Synthetic winch ropes are newer in the market than the steel cables, and they are taking over the winch rope sales. These ropes have helped people so much that there is hardly anyone who wouldn't want to buy one. Still, people have reservations and questions regarding these ropes, so we have answered them here.

Does Synthetic Winch Rope Stretch?

No, synthetic winch ropes do not stretch because they have tightly knit synthetic fibers in them. This helps in storing them in your vehicle while you need to pack light. It also increases their tensile strength, so that they stay compact and strong.

What Size Synthetic Winch Rope Do I Need?

The size of the rope you need depends upon the size and weight of your vehicle. Each synthetic winch rope has a certain tensile strength which works to even out the weight of a vehicle. That's why there is a different rope for every vehicle. For example, if your jeep weighs 8000 lbs., then you need a rope with 5/16" x 100' size. But if it weighs 10,000 lbs., then ideally, you need to go for a 3/8" x 80' rope.

What Size Synthetic Winch Rope for ATV?

ATV has a definite size of synthetic winch rope appropriate for it. Whether it is an ATV 2500 or ATV 3500, you need 3/16" x 50' sized rope for it. Any other rope size will not go well with it if you are getting a synthetic winch rope.

How to Tie Synthetic Winch Rope

Tying a synthetic winch is quite easy if you know the right steps. You have to open the side access plate and put the winch line drum attachment through the hole. Then pull the drum attachment and secure it with a nut and bolt. Afterward, pull the slack from drum attachment, put back the access plate, and spool the rope.

How to Cut Synthetic Winch Rope

A synthetic winch rope needs some care while it comes to cutting it. The ends may fray, causing the rope to lose its initial strength. So, cut the rope with a hot knife and re-tie the knot or loop that it had previously. This will also seal the ends, avoiding any losses. 

Is Synthetic Winch Rope Better?

Synthetic rope is way better than steel cables as it is lighter in weight. It also stores lesser energy under load, which makes it ideal for traveling. It does not rust or wear out easily, so it is wiser to go for these instead of steel cables.

I used to work in construction and landscaping, so I've seen my fair share of ratchet straps, winches, and similar rigging gear. I started Winch Central because I've seen some nasty accidents due to crappy rigging or poor practice. I wanted to be able to recommend good equipment that's SAFE and also provide resources for how its used. I handle the research side of things here as well as product selection for gear reviews.