The Best Rope for Bondage to Breathe Life Into Your Play Sessions
When you're looking for best rope for bondage, it can feel like you're on a wild goose chase.
That's because you have so many different BDSM gear options, your head's spinning for days.
But that's all in the past.
We've cut through the crap, to bring you the best shibari rope you can get your hands on!
In this post, we'll cover the best rope for bondage, in the many situations you may want to add in some rope-y delight.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran, or just signed on, The Little Bondage Shop's got you covered!
Best Rope for Bondage in General
When it comes to the best rope for bondage, there are tons of different materials you can choose from.
Like anything else, some are better than others.
Some of the more common material includes:
- MFP (multifilament polypropylene)
- Nylon
- Hemp
- Bamboo silk
- Cotton
While these bad boys can be great, there's truly one natural shibari rope material that rules them all:
Jute!
Getting a Grip on Jute Rope
Jute sounds kinda weirdly made up, right?
Well, it's made from this amazing plant, and goes through an awesome process, to reach peak perfection.
If you're super nerdy, like me, and want to get really deep into that process, head over here to satiate that jute rope knowledge craving!
Now, if you know anything about ropes, you might be thinking, "Great, dude. There are tons of natural rope materials out there. Why's jute the best rope for bondage over hemp? Or cotton?"
I do want to say, it ultimately comes down to preference. That being said, jute's superiority boils down to one thing:
It's soft.
I mean really soft. As in, even the raw material is shockingly pleasant to-the-touch.
Once it's conditioned, though? My LORD is it like your favorite kinky blanket--you just want to wrap yourself up in it.
Can other natural materials be soft--or made to be soft? Absolutely.
The biggest difference with jute, though, is that it's soft from the get-go. In other words, you can condition and go, without taking the time to "break it in".
(Side note: Please don't ever "break in" jute rope! It breaks down the fibers much faster, and you'll need to replace it sooner. Jute's soft by nature--so skip that step!)
To be honest, I was in the same boat as the jute-naysayers. I'd been tied up with plenty of awesome rope. There's no way jute was that much better 
Well, that's what I told myself, up until the first time I was tied up with jute.
And then I shut my big ol' trap because my little rope bunny world flipped upside down.
Jute instantaneously became my favorite bondage rope, and I've never looked back.
If you're a little (lottle) bit of a rope snob, too, then jute's about to rock your world.
Danger, Kink Robinson!
Now, I'm not here to be the boogey man--just the safety princess!
So, we're gonna quickly go over jute rope and what to look out for.
A lot of the time, jute is process with something called "Jute Batching Oil" or JBO, for short.
JBO is carcinogenic.
That means it can cause cancer. It doesn't mean it will cause it, just that it can.
With that being said, wrapping yourself in JBO-laden rope isn't the best idea, for obvious reasons.
Luckily, it's super easy to tell if your rope is safe.
Does it smell like kerosene?
If not, you're good to go.
If it does, dispose of it right now--it's probably finished with JBO!
Whenever you purchase rope online, make sure the store specifically states it's 100% free of JBO.
(Psst....we at the Little Bondage Shop guarantee that about all of our rope 😉)
Best Shibari Rope Size
When you search for shibari rope, you'll run into a number of different sizes. And, they're often in millimeters.
So, you're left feeling unsure of what's next, and whether you're getting the right thing for you.
As a general rule of thumb, you can buy rope in 4mm - 8mm widths. Each width is typically used for something specific.
But, if you're wondering what a good general rope size is, we highly recommend 5.5mm.
This size allows you to bite into the skin a little--without causing too much discomfort. At the same time, it's thick enough to provide that ever-loved feeling of your body being bound up.
In other words, just like baby bear's porridge, 5.5mm bondage rope is juuuuuust right.
Through personal experience, I've found the 5.5mm is my go-to 99% of the time!
Best Rope for Bondage for Beginners
If you're going to really dive into shibari, you know how important it is to have the right tools.
While it might seem like the best idea to either go big or go home, or start super small, there's actually a better solution:
A rope kit for beginners.
This kit should contain:
- One (1) 30-foot rope
- Two (2) 15-foot ropes
With just these 3 pieces, you can unlock the world of rope play sessions. Imagine the possibilities of strictly bondage, to playing out certain fantasy scenes.
These are just some of the many things you can tie:
- Simple chest harness
- Single- & double-column ties
- Simple leg harness
- Frog tie
- Hog tie
Now, there are obviously loads of kits to choose from.
Of course, we highly recommend our beginner's jute rope kit. But, there are plenty of other amazing kits to choose from.
If you're going to go off-the-map, here are some things to look out for:
- Cheaper doesn't always mean better (If it falls apart & you need to replace it soon after purchase, is it really saving you money?)
- Colored natural rope is often super broken in, so it can accept the dye (It looks amazing, but won't last as long as non-colored-natural rope)
- Pay attention to size (Don't assume it's a certain size)
Oh and one more thing...always read reviews!
Best BDSM Rope Specifically for S&M
Rope play comes in many different forms. When you're feeling a little sadistic or masochistic, you can enhance your scene, by choosing the right rope for bondage.
Hands-down, no questions asked, 4.5mm rope is my favorite for that added level-of-pain.
That's because it digs into your skin more, leaving extra pretty rope marks.
And, if you're a little masochist like me, it helps throw you into subspace faster than a wider rope.
While you can go skinnier than this, few companies offer it.
I seriously, highly, super duper definitely recommend 4.5mm bondage rope when you want to kick the S&M up-a-notch.
(Psst....these naughty toys might give you some extra torturo--erm fun!--to your play time!
Best Shibari Rope for Suspension
Once you've been in the shibari game for a while, it's natural to progress towards suspensions.
But, what exactly do you need, in order to ensure your bottom is safe?
Bigger ropes, my friend!
More specifically a 6.5mm bondage rope. These bad boys have an extra millimeter because there's loads of extra tension associated with suspensions.
A wider rope provides an added "safety net", per se.
No matter what though, you must always thoroughly inspect your rope before performing any suspensions. And if you think it might be compromised, toss it. Don't risk your bottom's life.
Best Bondage Rope to Finish Yourself
Let's be honest, making and using something by yourself is freakin' cool.
It genuinely feels awesome to say, "Heck yeah, that's my own work!"
So, if you're in the DIY boat, you have a number of options when it comes to bondage rope.
First, is getting raw rope and finishing it yourself.
Whether you use beeswax, an oil of sorts, or something else, raw bondage rope gives you tons of flexibility--without making it from scratch.
If you're really feeling that, then we highly recommend checking out our selection of raw jute rope.
Butttttt if you really love diving into the details, you might prefer to physically make the rope yourself.
If that's the case, then getting in contact with a wholesale supplier's your best bet.
Anddddddddd, I just so happen to know a guy.
The company is called AmatsunawaUSA, and they source only the highest-quality materials. They're my rope supplier, so I trust them implicitly!
Definitely worth a peep, if you want to create your rope for bondage 100% from start-to-finish.
Best Bondage Rope for Vegans
We all know the world isn't built for vegans. And for the most part, BDSM gear is no exception.
Most of the time, shibari rope is finished with beeswax. Well, beeswax comes from bees (no duh!)
Therefore, most rope isn't actually good-to-go, for the animal-conscious.
Luckily, you have options...and they don't pertain to faux-leather and plastic!
Our owner, Eden, is vegan herself. So, our shop offers a huge selection of vegan BDSM gear, using her proprietary blend!
That means you'll never have to sweat it, when you're being tied up. Ok...you might sweat it, but only in the good ways 😈
Best Bondage Rope if You're Balling on a Budget
If we're being honest, high-quality bondage gear is expensive. Like most things in life, the more money you spend, the quality is (typically) higher.
But, what's a kinkster to do, when they don't have the funds to shell out on some nice ass rope?
To the thrift store!
Omg no. I'm 100% kidding--don't ever pick up BDSM toys there 🤢
Instead, a little hunting is in order. Not the animal-kind, though, rather the deals-kind.
Here's the secret:
Many bondage shops offer blemish rope, for a more affordable price. This rope has the same feel as "regular" shibari rope.
It differs, though, in that there's a cosmetic defect. In other words, it just won't look as pretty--but it works just as well!
Blemishes may include:
- Markings
- Discoloration
- Rope imperfections which DON'T ruin the integrity of the material
One thing....
Always always ALWAYS read the rope's description, to make sure the rope is 100%-safe to use--whether it's at The Little Bondage Shop or another BDSM store.
Speaking of The Little Bondage Shop, yes! You read our minds!
We definitely offer blemish rope at a discounted price, which is totally safe for use. While it might have a marking or two, it functions just as well as any other rope in our shop!
Whenever our owner, Eden, comes across a rope that doesn't totally meet her aesthetic standards, it's automatically added to the blems. So, anyone can snag some serious savings!
Blemish rope isn't something to be scared of, as long as you do your research. In the long run, it can keep a pretty penny in your pockets!
Best Bondage Rope for Shibari Veterans
Once you dip your toes into the world-of-rope, there's really no going back. It provides such an exciting, kinky way to get into your headspace.
If you've been into rope for a while, you're obviously not interested in just a few hanks, or even a beginner BDSM kit.
Instead, you're after something to bring your big rope visions to life....and that requires a solid amount of rope.
While you could purchase piece-by-piece, that's a very long, and likely expensive process.
On the off chance you really wait a long time in between purchases, your first hanks may lose integrity before you can complete your kit. So, you're left replacing pieces, instead of expanding your repertoire.
The easiest way to stop this from happening is with an advanced rope kit.
Not only will you save money, but you also get everything at-the-same-time. In turn, your ropes are used at the same rate, and you're not left playing a game of catch-up.
And, when you get all your ropes up-front, your big ties can immediately come to life. No more putting a pin on a tie, for the future!
Of course, everyone has different wants and needs, when it comes to their bondage rope kit.
At a minimum, though, it should contain:
- 2 short ropes (Ideally, 15-feet)
- 4 long ropes (Ideally, 30-feet)
Depending on how advanced you are, a 6 rope kit may not be enough. That being said, though, a larger BDSM set like this, definitely hands you the tools to expand your play.
At this level, suspensions are common. So, you might want to consider a kit that contains thick enough hanks, to safely get someone off the ground.
And you guessed it!
We have just that, in our Full Rope Suspension Kit, which includes:
- 4 ropes, measuring 30-feet long & 6.5-mm wide
- 4 ropes, measuring 30-feet long & 5.5-mm wide
- 2 ropes, measuring 15-feet long & 5.5-mm wide
You're set-to-go the second you get these bad boys in your hands!
So...What's the Best BDSM Rope?
In all honesty, there's no right answer to that question.
It really depends on what you want to get out of your rope play, as well as your experience level.
No matter what, though, you'll always make the right decision with jute rope.
Whether you're after something more sadistic, suspension-y, or something in between, you can never go wrong with it!
Just remember:
Check for JBO, then you'll be good-to-go!
Other than that, the best rope for bondage is open to your interpretation.
Try them one, try them all, or stick to an oldie-but-goodie--your rope play sessions are driven by you.
And you'll never make the wrong choice!