5 Best Bondage Ropes For Shibari

   Isabelle Uren
When I first looking into bondage ropes, I was overwhelmed by the different choices and what they all meant! To make it easier for you, using the knowledge I’ve picked up, I’ve selected the 5 best bondage ropes that have been tested by myself and the Bedbible tester team to help you find the right rope for your project!
1 Test Winner

Tantus Bondage Rope

 Tantus Bondage Rope

Tantus Bondage Rope

  • Polyester rope
  • 30 feet
  • 6 mm wide

  • Nice and soft
  • Beautiful patterned design
  • Cute tassels at the end
  • Enough rope for different projects

  • No storage bag
  • Length can be annoying for smaller ties
Tantus Bondage Rope
Length30m/98.4 ft/1181 inches
Diameter0.2 inches
MaterialsPolyester
Storage Bag IncludedNo
Colors AvailableAzure, Silver, Olive

I chose the Tantus Bondage Rope because it’s a top quality rope that goes the extra mile with it’s unique design! When I first saw it in the review, I have to admit, I was a little jealous! This is the most beautiful bondage rope I’ve come across in my years writing about sex toys! Our tester, Lexis, who is experienced in Shibari, was very impressed by the rope, commenting that the “craftsmanship really stands out.” She found the polyester weave was ” this rope was soft on the skin and did not cause any rope burn” even when she was tied up longer sessions. I was happy to hear that rope also held well in the ties and “the knots did not get any tighter,” which is really important for safety! Lexis thought this rope was “perfect for simple or elaborate ties for shibari,” but did mention that the length was a little cumbersome for smaller projects but great for bigger ones. Design wise, she was “not a fan of the tassels on the ends” but I think are a lovely touch!

2 Runner Up

Oxy Rainbow Silk Kinbaku Bondage Rope

 Oxy Rainbow Silk Kinbaku Rope

Oxy Rainbow Silk Kinbaku Rope

  • Bamboo silk rope
  • 26.25 feet
  • 6 mm width
  • Twisted design

  • Beautiful rainbow colors
  • Feels soft
  • Lightweight and easy to work with

  • Colors can be confusing when tying
  • Rope stretches slightly during use
  • Knots at the end get in the way
  • Not suitable for suspension
Oxy Rainbow Silk Kinbaku Rope
Length(26.25 feet) 315 inches
Diameter0.24 inches
MaterialsBamboo silk
Storage Bag IncludedNo
Colors Available6 rainbow/multicolor designs

I went for the Rainbow Silk Kinkabu Rope from Oxy as the best rope for decorative ties because the rainbow design will create some visually stunning ties. It’s also a softer rope that’s best suited to ties that don’t require a lot of strength or tension. Our reviewer, Katie, loved that the “rainbow colors are so beautiful and vibrant” and thought this “a great choice for beginner rope users.” They were also a big fan of the softness, commenting that the rope “was so comfortable that [they] actually forgot [they] had it on at times.” In my experience, this can be a pro and a con, as sometimes the feeling of rope against your skin is part of the fun! Katie found that the “fiber is well-suited for harnesses, cages, gags, and decorative ties” but found that, in use, it “has a bit of stretch.” So while it’s great for these types of ties, it’s not safe for suspension. The only thing that Katie found a little tricky with the rope was that the color “variations got a little distracting” and made it a little hard to find where the ends were during the tying process.

3 Budget-Friendly

Bondage Boutique Soft Bondage Rope

 Bondage Boutique Soft Rope

Bondage Boutique Soft Rope

  • Woven cotton rope
  • 32 feet
  • 12.7 mm thick

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • Great for small projects

  • Knots can tighten up
  • No storage bag
  • Not suitable for suspension
Bondage Boutique Soft Rope
Length32 feet 9/394 inches
MaterialsCotton
Diameter0.5 inches
Storage Bag IncludedNo
Colors AvailableBlack, red

At under $20, I think this is a great quality rope for the price! I was also impressed that you still get a decent length to explore different ties. Our tester, Peter and his wife, are new to bondage rope and thought this “the ideal start.” They found it “lightweight and not bulky,” making it easy to handle. Overall, they were happy with the quality, commenting that it “is not a high end luxury rope” but it has “a good look to it and a very nice soft feel.” The only thing I would watch out for when using this rope is that Peter found it “can be tricky to remove because the rope tightens up” during use. I recommend not tying your rope to tightly and leaving some space between the rope and your or your partner’s body.

4 Best Bondage Rope Kit

KINK Bind & Tie Initiation Kit

 KINK Bind & Tie Initiation Kit

KINK Bind & Tie Initiation Kit

  • Hemp
  • 2 x 30 ft ropes and 1 x 50 ft rope
  • Comes safety shears and drawstring backpack for storage

  • Rope feels soft but strong
  • Lots of rope for larger projects
  • Everything you need to get started
  • Free access to rope school videos

  • Rope sheds small fibers
  • More of an investment
  • Not thick enough for critical lines
KINK Bind & Tie Initiation Kit
Length1 x 600 inches, 2 x 360 inches
Diameter6 mm/ 0.23 inches
MaterialsHemp
Storage Bag IncludedYes
Colors AvailableNatural hemp

I personally tested the Kink Bind and Tie Initiation Kit and was overall very happy with it! I loved the more organic look of the rope and was surprised by just how soft it was! I also loved that the kit came with safety shears as these are a crucial piece of equipment when using bondage rope, and it saved me having to buy a pair separately. I found the rope easy to work with and enjoyed the sensation of it against my skin — it’s soft but still feels like rope, which I think adds to the experience. It’s also nice having so much rope to play with and I even cut one piece down so it’s easier to use for smaller ties. My one complaint is that it does shed small fibers that will be in the air and stick to clothes. Although this is a little more of an investment than the other ropes in the review, considering theres 110 feet of rope, safety shears, and a backpack/storage bag, I actually think it’s quit good value for money.

5 Best Hemp Bondage Rope

Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie

 Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie

Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie

  • Natural hemp rope
  • 30 feet
  • 6 mm wide

  • Soft, premium feel
  • Reinforced ends
  • Made with natural hemp

  • No storage bad included
  • Too thin for suspension
Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie
MaterialsHemp
Length30 ft/ 360 inches
Diameter6mm/ 0.23 inches
Storage Bag IncludedNo

I wanted to add a hemp bondage rope for Shibari because it’s a common fabric choice for many Shibari fans out there. The Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie is made with 100% natural hemp and has a premium three-strand twisted design with reinforced ends making it perfect for all kinds of bondage play. It’s 30th long, which is long enough for beginners who want to dip their toes in Shibari, or for some simple ties. According to our tester, Kasia, the hemp fabric felt “soft and slid smoothly against the skin.” She enjoyed using it for creating beautiful harnesses and learning simple, and beginner-friendly restraints, and she mentioned that the Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie feels high-quality, “easy to work with,” and that the ties felt secure. As an expert, I think the Doc Johnson Merci Bind & Tie is a high-quality hemp rope that can be used by anyone, including Shibari pros, and those who are just starting out. Unfortunately, it’s too thin for suspension, but I am sure you could make stunning kinky creations with the dark purple color, and easily match it with a black, or another colorful rope for a more advanced rope play.

How to Choose the Best Rope for Bondage

  • Diameter: 6mm is the most common size due to its flexibility. It is great for many types of bondage play, but you probably want to go thicker for suspension play. 8mm is the most common for suspension, as it is stronger. 10mm (and above) is good for larger body types. This is a great size option for suspension and floor play, as it won’t dig in as much as thinner ropes.
  • Length: How much you need depends on what you plan to do with your rope. If you only want to use your rope to restrain your partner’s ankles or wrist or tie your partner to some furniture, 3 m might be enough. 4.5m lengths are great for extending other pieces of rope. If you want to use your rope for breast bondage or making a harness, you will need to look for at least 9 m.
  • Softness — Ropes made of hemp, bamboo, or nylon are softer on the skin, whereas, jute, polyester are rougher.
  • Ease of use — Cotton, polyester, and nylon can all be machine washed, but cotton can be tricky to untie. Natural materials such as hemp, jute and bamboo are a bit more difficult to care for, as washing can damage the rope’s integrity.
  • Strength — Weaker ropes such as jute and some cottons are better for light bondage but not suspension. Hemp and bamboo bondage ropes are medium strength, but bamboo is not suitable for suspension as it stretches. Polyester and nylon are stronger, however nylon can be slippery, meaning knots can tighten themselves more easily.

Which Materials are Best for Bondage Rope?

Synthetic vs Natural Materials

When it comes to choosing between natural and synthetic rope, it really boils down to the kind of bondage you plan to partake in; are you big into suspension or do you prefer light bondage in the bedroom? For a natural rope that can handle suspension, hemp is a great option; for a synthetic rope that can handle suspension, try polyester. For a natural rope that will please during light bedroom bondage, try cotton or jute; for a synthetic rope that delivers during light play, try nylon.

Cotton

Cotton ropes are great if you’re on a budget. It’s super soft and knots easily, but it’s not the best for suspension. Cotton ropes can also be difficult to untie, and depending on the brand, they may tighten over time due to the natural stretch of the material.

Hemp

Hemp bondage rope, on the other hand, is GREAT for suspending, as it’s super secure and durable. An 8 mm hemp rope size is ideal for critical support lines, but for other ropes, you can use the easier to maneuver 6 mm hemp rope. The downside to hemp rope is that pre-treated/conditioned rope can be quite expensive, and it’s not usable for bondage pre-treatment.

Jute

Jute is a hemp-like material that is springy and light compared to hemp. It has very low elasticity, so it’s great for complex knots as it won’t tangle! There’s also a lesser chance of rope burn compared to other materials, but it still leaves great rope marks. It must be treated and conditioned before use, and pre-treated jute can get quite expensive. As it’s lighter than hemp, it’s also not recommended for suspension.

Bamboo

Bamboo ropes are probably the lightest out there, so they’re great for bedroom bondage, and feel super silky on the skin. It won’t leave the best rope marks, if that’s your thing, and it’s also not recommended for suspension due to the stretch and density.

Synthetic

Nylon rope is super soft, stretchy, and is incredibly strong. Polyester, on the other hand, feels more secure and stable compared to the slipperiness of nylon, so it’s better for beginners overall.

How to Use Bondage Rope

We’ve compiled some top tips for the best way to start your bondage rope journey, and to ensure that you get the most out of your bondage rope.

Take it slow

Take it slow

You don’t want to rush into something like bondage play. Keep it slow and simple to begin with. Establish a strong line of communication with your partner, and don’t jump into difficult knots or positions on your very first go. You may even want to work up to rope play by using easy-to-remove Velcro restraints.

Scissors at the ready

Scissors at the ready

Always have a pair of safety scissors on hand, like the ones recommended above. Scissors like these are essential back-ups in case something goes wrong during the session, or, perhaps more awkwardly, if you just have trouble untying them at the end of play. It happens to the best of us!

Try tying

Try tying

Practice tying the knots BEFORE you try them on a person. Practice once, and practice again, because errors during play range from killing the mood to causing harm to your partner. You could try tying around something like a bed post if you’re looking for a wrist-sized guide!

Have a safe word

Have a safe word

Trust and mutual consent between partners is the foundation of bondage. However, it may be hard to distinguish between participating in the ‘scene’ and an honest request to slow down or stop the experience in the middle of a session. Ensure you establish a safe word with your partner that is distinct enough from your play to take them out of it. You could even try a random word generator!

Potential position

Potential position

In this one, the person being restrained sits up straight with their knees bent and feet on the floor. Their elbows and knees are tied together, as are their ankles and wrists. This allows for some amazing vulnerability – the dom can go down on their partner as they struggle against their bonds, or stand over them and receive from above!

How to Clean Bondage Rope

Cleaning bondage rope can be a little more complex than other toys, because the materials are so varied and different. Luckily for you, there are plenty of people on the internet that have trial-and-errored it, so you don't have to! The videos below are super informative and come from people that have put in the time. The main thing to consider is that natural ropes will get moldy if they're not dried correctly, so make sure you look at the guide provided with the rope to ensure it lasts as long as it should.

FAQ

To engage in healthy bondage play, you and your partner should both agree on what you’re comfortable with before you begin. Have an open and honest dialogue with your partner about the roles you’re each drawn toward so that you both feel comfortable and confident experimenting.

Good quality bondage rope doesn't have to set you back a lot of money! Different materials and lengths will vary in price, but you can easily get good bondage rope for around $20.

Absolutely! There are some things you'll want to consider: length, material, thickness, to name a few - but you absolutely don't need to buy a certified 'bondage rope' in order to start playing.

There are multiple knots you can tie in order to minimize the storage space needed for your rope. Depending on the material and longevity of your rope, it's best to do your research to find the best method of storage. You can use twine or tie wraps to fix the rope in place, too. If you are using natural ropes, make sure it has good aeration to prevent drying and molding, and oil it before storage.

Everything comes with a risk. By using fit-for-purpose rope, communicating with your partner, and taking it as slow as you need to fully grasp the knots you are tying, you are minimizing that risk as much as possible.

What is Bondage Rope?

Bondage rope is a type of rope used to restrict movement, wrap, suspend, or restrain, as part of BDSM activities. There are many bondage styles, the most 'mainstream' being the Japanese style of shibari, an intricate knot-tying art adapted for erotic restraint. It can be very tricky to perform and therefore should only be performed by those who understand bondage and the risks that come with it; if performed safely and securely, bondage can be an intensely freeing and pleasurable experience. Bondage rope can come in different materials, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo silk, jute, and nylon. Each material has a different expertise and you should ensure you research this before buying so that you can get the best possible experience from your rope!

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