Which Rope is Best for Shibari?

Which rope is best for shibari? As you might know by now, shibari means binding or tying. So deciding which rope is best for tying is crucial. This is a very common question when you are just starting in this practice, but there is not a specific answer.

There is not a specific rope for bondage; that is, there is no correct answer to the initial question. The decision on which rope to use depends on each individual. It depends, too, on the person you are tying and the type of scene you will be doing. This answer will come to you once you have practice in rope bondage, and tried the different types of ropes. Each rigger has their own preference, just as every type of rope has different advantages and disadvantages.

Which Rope is Best for Shibari?: a Question with No Answer

In shibari, like in every other activity, what you like might not be what someone else likes. As mentioned before, each rigger has their own particular preference.

Luckily, a rope is not as expensive as the props used in other BDSM activities. That is, unless you buy the ropes in a fancy sex shop, where you will definitely find some expensive examples. Of course, the higher price does not mean a better quality. So for you to chose your rope wisely, here are some considerations.

The Diameter

Firstly, you must consider the rope’s the diameter. It should not be too thin, but no too thick either. The standard diameter is between 5 and 8 millimetres for safety reasons. If you use a thinner rope, the pressure will concentrate in one single spot. As a result, it can lead the bottom to discomfort, nerve damage, problems with circulation, and bruises. A thicker rope would be hard to handle.

The Length

Secondly, you should take length into account. Shibari masters use around seven or eight meters of rope. And these measurements depend on the height of the rigger. The recommendation of rope length is “four arm-pulls”: obtain it from measuring your arm from armpit to fingertip and multiply it by four. This is the ideal length.