Why Choose Nylon Rope for Shibari?

There are a lot of shibari “purists” out there who will tell you that only jute rope should be used in shibari, or in certain rare cases, hemp is also acceptable. Many of these same voices will tell you that nylon rope doesn’t give you the authentic experience, or that nylon is difficult to work with and doesn’t hold knots.

This is all absolute rubbish.

The thing is, there’s no “right” answer to the question of which rope is best for shibari - it all depends on personal preference and your own practice. Every rope has it’s advantages and drawbacks, but there are a few really important reasons that as a shibari rigger I like to work with nylon!

First, I love the artistry of shibari, the glorious spectacle of tying my partner into a pretty little rope package. Having plenty of color possibilities is like an artist having a full palette of paint to work with! It’s tough to find another type of shibari rope that has such vibrant and varied color possibilities.

Next, when it comes to suspensions and safety, synthetic fibers have a superior breaking strength. For the 6mm nylon solid braid rope that we use, that’s around 1200 lbs (as compared to 6mm jute at approx. 400 lbs). I feel much more secure and at ease when I’m tying knowing that I can keep my partner safe.

We source our rope from a major manufacturer based in the US.

Our shibari rope is 6mm (1/4”) solid braid nylon. The most common thickness for shibari rope is 6mm because it provides strength and flexibility, as well as comfort. The potential for injury and permanent nerve damage is greater with thinner ropes, and thicker ropes aren’t as suitable for many of the intricate techniques and knots that shibari uses.

The solid braid weaving style offers superior strength and flexibility, as well as a smoother profile compared to twisted rope. It’s also torque-neutral, meaning it resists kinking, and provides better abrasion resistance by distributing friction across its tight, interwoven structure.

In short, it’s a very soft and luxurious rope to work with, it’s one of the strongest ropes to use for suspensions, and it can easily be used to create more uncomfortable or predicament-type experiences if that’s what is desired!