Choosing a synthetic winch rope as opposed to a steel cable comes with many benefits. The main reason to switch is primarily due to safety. This is because the synthetic alternative doesn’t hold any stored energy, which means it doesn’t fling back with extreme force in the event of it breaking.
The majority of synthetic ropes are designed to be universal and fit into the drum of an off road winch. When choosing between the different types of ropes on the market, you will want to choose the correct length and breaking strength that best suits the requirements of the winch that you are using.
If you require a quick answer, the best synthetic winch rope is the WARN Spydura 87915, which is capable of pulling up to 10,000 LBS and is available in multiple lengths. However, if you are on a tight budget, the AUXMART alternative is the best option that has an impressive breaking strength of 20,500 LBS.
In terms of rating the synthetic winch ropes in this article, we based our recommendations upon our experience (the photo above is our very own synthetic rope) as well as many factors. The factors that were considered included their pull rating, length options, construction, sleeves, additional extras and value form money.
Table of Contents
Synthetic Winch Rope Comparison
| Synthetic Winch Rope | Dimensions | Breaking Strength |
|---|---|---|
| AUXMART Synthetic | 3/8" x 95 Feet | 20,500 LBS |
| WARN 87915 Spydura | 3/8" x 100 Feet | 10,000 LBS |
| X-BULL Dyneema | 3/8" x 100 Feet | 23,908 LBS |
| Smittybilt 97712 | 7/16" x 88 Feet | 12,000 LBS |
| Yoursme Nylon | 1/4" x 50 Feet | 8,000 LBS |
| FieryRed Line | 3/8" x 85 Feet | 25,000 LBS |
| Astra Depot Kit | 1/2" x 92 Feet | 22,000 LBS |
| Boar Offroad Recovery | 3/8" x 100 Feet | 23,809 LBS |
Thanks to advancements in synthetic technology, winch ropes made from durable fibers have become just as strong as the steel cable alternatives. Many of the premium examples are known to have a pull rating of 20,000 LBS and more, which is very impressive. The main types of synthetic fibers that are used include dyneema, spydura, nylon and polypropylene, which all provide their own benefits.
Below is a list of the best synthetic winch ropes that provide a reliable, safe and strong method of pulling from your winch.
The Best Synthetic Winch Rope
1. Warn Spydura Synthetic Winch Rope Kit
WARN are by far the most popular off-road winch brand and offer products that are built to the highest standards. Their spydura synthetic winch rope is a great example of the brand’s reputation and is manufactured using a unique high molecular weight polyethylene material.
The brand offer this synthetic winch rope as a complete kit, which includes a ballistic nylon sliding sleeve, hook and matching strap.
Other features of the WARN 87915 Spydura include:
- 3/8 inch thickness
- Available in 80, 90 or 100 feet lengths
- Breaking strength of 10,000 LBS
- Ballistic nylon sliding sleeve
- Uses ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
- Black urethane coating for added durability
- Hook and matching strap included
- Self tightening rope attachment to keep secure in winch drum
Overall, the WARN 87915 is the best synthetic winch rope on the market that’s designed to be long lasting and withstand the toughest of conditions. The only drawback is the premium price tag but when you consider the superior quality and reputable brand backing, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Check it Out2. Auxmart Synthetic Winch Rope
For those that require a more affordable alternative, the AUXMART synthetic winch rope is the best option. It’s constructed of a premium synthetic fiber called Dyneema, which allows the rope to be lightweight yet remain extremely strong.
Although it’s one of the cheapest options, it has an impressive breaking strength of 20,500 LBS, which is more than suitable for most applications.
Other features of the Auxmart Synthetic Winch Rope include:
- 3/8 inch thickness and 95 feet in length
- High quality dyneema fibers
- 20,500 LBS breaking strength
- Weighs 4.6 LBS and floats in water
- Built in 150 cm protective shield
- Reinforced ends
- Stainless steel thimble for hook
- Suitable for temperatures below -20 degrees
- Optional D-ring available
The Auxmart is a universal synthetic winch rope that combines value for money and performance. The only drawback is that it’s only available in a single size but when you consider the low cost and impressive performance, it’s still an excellent option.
Check it Out3. X-BULL Dyneema Synthetic Winch Rope
If you require maximum breaking strength from your synthetic winch rope, the X-BULL SK75 is the best solution. It’s able to withstand loads up to 23,809 LBS, which exceeds many of the premium options on the market.
The impressive breaking strength is due to the extra thick dyneema synthetic fibers that have been designed to withstand the toughest of conditions.
Other features of the X-BULL Dyneema Rope include:
- 3/8 inch thickness
- 100 feet in length
- 23,809 LBS breaking strength
- Moist and UV resistant
- Withstands temperatures as low as -20
- Protective sleeve on each end
- Low stretch with no recoil
- No sharp frays in the rope
The X-Bull synthetic winch rope provides the best value for money when compared against many of the premium alternatives. It also has the largest breaking strength, which may be very beneficial for certain pulling applications.
Check it Out4. Smittybilt 97712 Synthetic Rope For Winch
Smittybilt are another popular brand among off-road enthusiasts and are well-known for their premium products. Their 97712 synthetic winch rope is manufactured from a quality dyneema SK-75 fiber, which according to the brand is 1/7 of the weight of a steel cable alternative.
In order to maximize the durability of this synthetic winch rope, the brand includes a 10 feet long protective sleeve that’s far longer than the alternatives.
Other features of the Smittybilt 97712 include:
- 7/16 inch thickness and 88 feet long
- 12,000 LBS breaking strength
- Non rotational with minimal stretch
- UV and abrasion resistant
- Easy to install into the drum
- Stainless steel thimble and safety hook
- Doesn’t kink, curl or splinter
- Coated to prevent slippage inside of the winch drum
The Smittybilt 97712 synthetic winch rope is a great all-rounder that has the backing of a reputable brand. However, the expensive price tag may put people off because the performance of the rope doesn’t match the WARN alternative.
Check it Out5. Yoursme Nylon Synthetic Winch Cable
The cheapest synthetic winch rope within this article is by the Yoursm brand and it’s suitable for loads up to 8,000 LBS. However, it’s worth noting that this rope uses a heavy duty nylon material as opposed to the higher quality dyneema fibers.
Other features of the Yoursme Nylon Rope include:
- Constructed of heavy duty nylon
- 1/4 inch thick with 12 strands of rope
- 50 feet in length
- 8,000 LBS breaking strength
- Includes a 3 year warranty
- 5 foot protective sleeve
- Solid metal rope loop
For those on a budget, this synthetic winch rope offers excellent value for money and is a fraction of the cost when compared to the alternatives. Although it’s not the strongest, this rope is a cost effective solution for lightweight winching applications.
Check it Out6. FieryRed Dyneema Synthetic Winch Rope
The FieryRed brand produce a wide range of synthetic winch ropes but this is their new and improved dyneema rope. It has a heavy duty construction that’s made of 12 strands that are braided through nylon and has a breaking strength of 25,000 LBS.
In terms of the dimension of this synthetic winch rope, it’s available in a single size that’s 85 feet long and 3/8 inch thick.
Other features of the FieryRed Dyneema Rope include:
- 85 feet long and 3/8 inch thickness
- Heavy duty dyneema construction
- UV, chemical and weather resistant
- Float on water and weighs 1.9 KG
- Breaking strength of 25,000 LBS
- Low stretch with no recoil
- 5 foot long protective sleeve
The FieryRed dyneema rope is suitable for most winches and provides superior performance compared to similar priced alternatives. The brand state that its fully UV and “wear-and-tear” resistant, which makes it ideal for a wide range of applications.
Check it Out7. Astra Synthetic Winch Rope Line Kit
The Astra synthetic rope kit is a highly rated option that comes with a rope, 3/8 inch hook, heat guard and hawse fairlead to complete the package. The brand also offer a variety of colors that includes black, red, blue or silver to best suit your requirements.
In terms of the performance of this rope, it’s 92 feet long and 1/2 inch thick with a breaking strength of up to 22,000 LBS.
Other features of the Astra Rope Kit include:
- 95 foot long and 1/2 inch thick
- Breaking strength of 22,000 LBS
- Stainless steel thimble for the hook attachment
- CNC machined 6061 aluminum hawse fairlead included
- Universal fit for the majority of winches
- Multiple color options
- Includes a 1 year warranty
- 3 meter heat guard
Although it’s more expensive than other synthetic ropes, it provides an impressive break strength rating and comes as a complete kit. We highly advise that you choose the anodized hawse fairlead option as it provides additional durability for off-road applications.
Check it Out8. Boar Offroad Dyneema Synthetic Winch Rope
Boar Offroad are another brand that specialize in winches and off-road equipment and they have a great reputation. Their synthetic winch rope is designed for maximum performance whilst remaining at an affordable price.
Other features of the Boar Offroad Rope include:
- 100 feet long and 3/8 inch thick
- Breaking strength of 23,809 LBS
- Water resistant and floats on water
- Resistant to harmful UV rays
- Available in blue or orange
- Spring loaded hook included
- Stronger than traditional steel cables
Considering the low cost and impressive breaking strength, it’s an excellent all-round option that won’t disappoint. Boar Offroad are well-known for their high quality yet affordable products and this synthetic winch rope follows that great reputation.
Check it OutHow We Rated The Synthetic Winch Ropes
Rewind a few years back and there were only a few synthetic ropes on the market for your winch. However, these days there are plenty to choose from and the above list are some of our recommendations. We rated these synthetic winch ropes based on our own experience as well as many factors. After years of using a steel cable, we upgraded and haven’t looked back since. The factors that were also considered included their pull rating, length options, construction, sleeves, additional extras and value form money.
Synthetic Winch Rope Buying Guide
Thanks to advancements in synthetic technology, using a synthetic winch rope has become very popular among off-road enthusiasts. The materials have been used in tow straps for many years and people have started switching to synthetic materials as opposed to steel cables in their winches.
The reason for this is due to the fact that synthetic ropes are safer, resistant to corrosion, weigh less and have many other benefits. Whether you use a standard or come along type of winch, most are universal and can be installed with ease.
There is a range of synthetic winch ropes available but your budget determines its quality. In order to achieve a high breaking strength, you will require a higher quality synthetic material, which will of course cost more.
Improved Safety
Safety is essential when using a winch and the problem with the older steel cable is that there is a serious amount of stored energy inside the cable. This stored energy comes from how it has been wound up in the drum of the winch.
The reason why this is an issue is when the cable breaks because it has the potential to whip back unpredictably. If you take a look at this video, you will understand that there is limited time to protect yourself and it can cause serious damage or injury.
When it comes to a synthetic winch rope, there is no stored energy. This means, if the rope was to break, it would harmlessly fall to the ground and not whip back aggressively. However, that’s not to say that you do not need to take any precautions when using a synthetic rope. The amount of strength that’s required in using a winch could result in unpredictable results and you will always want to remain safe.
Breaking Strength
Compared to steel cables, the synthetic alternative can be up to 80% more stronger. This is a significant improvement and it means you are able to pull far greater forces whilst off-roading.
When it comes to purchasing the rope, you will always want a rope that exceeds the amount you plan to pull. Putting strain on the rope will cause severe strain overtime and it will eventually break.
Length and Diameter
In order to achieve high breaking strengths, many manufacturers use a thicker ropes. This is perfectly fine but depending upon the capacity of the winch drum, you may be limited by the length of the rope.
However, the higher quality synthetic materials provide much higher breaking strengths without needing to be threaded too many times. This means the width of the rope is reduced and it shouldn’t cause any issues inside the drum.
For guidance, check out this calculator to help you decide on how much winch rope will be able to fit inside your winch.
Types of Synthetic Materials Used
Synthetic materials come in a variety of types and the quality very much depends upon your budget. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to synthetic winch ropes and this can be seen when you compare the Yoursme rope to the more premium Warn alternative.
The types of synthetic materials used in ropes include:
- Dyneema
- Spydura
- Nylon
- Polypropylene
- … and a few others
If you really want the winch rope to last and pull reliably for years to come, we highly recommend choosing a dyneema or spydura synthetic rope for your winch.
Maintenance of the Rope
Another huge benefit of the synthetic winch rope is that they are fairly maintenance free. The steel alternative can corrode easily when exposed to moisture and needs to be kept galvanized to increase its lifespan.
It’s worth mentioning that synthetic ropes can become damaged from UV rays. Therefore, we recommend that you keep them out of direct sunlight where possible and invest in a storage bag. For good practice, we also recommend drying any moisture on the rope before rewinding it back into the drum.
Weight
Steel cables are heavy and this means the amount of weight at the front of the vehicle is increased and can effect the handling of the vehicle. Synthetic winch ropes on the other hand are a fraction of the weight, which cancels out the drawbacks of the steel cable and also means it floats on water.
Conclusion
Investing into the best synthetic winch rope you can get your hands on is highly recommended. The amount of benefits they have over the steel cable alternatives makes winching far more easier and of course safer.
All of our recommendations are suitable for a range of different applications and budgets. However, before purchasing a new rope, ensure that you check the length of the rope you are able to wind into the winch drum.
