Guide Gear Review: Sterling Fusion Ion R

Rock season is here in the Colorado Front Range, so time to get outta the gym and get back on your outdoor project! Rope choice can play a major role in success or failure. My choice for multi pitch rock routes is the Sterling Fusion Ion R. At 9.4mm, it’s the perfect blend of durability and weight. Not too skinny for big wall free climbing abuse but not so fat that weight and functionality become an issue on rope-stretcher pitches. It gives a great catch and is easy to hold when logging air time working a crux pitch. The Fusion Ion R is quite supple, giving it an excellent handle and feel.

It comes in a variety of lengths from 50-80m at 10m intervals. I have found the 70m to be my personal favorite and ideal for demanding free climbs such as Moonlight Buttress in Zion National Park and Freerider in Yosemite Valley.

Sterling makes a dry version of this rope in each length and also offers a bicolor version.