"You can debate the relative merits of impact force and elongation, and squabble over the “hand” of a rope until you’re cross eyed and crusty, but at the end of the day what you really want from a rope is a good return on your investment m- meaning, does it last? In the case of Sterling’s re-engineered Nitro 9.8, ... the answer to that question is a definitive yes.

Last March I took the Nitro to attempt a continuous free ascent of El Gigante’s Logical Progression (5.13a), at 26 pitches the world’s longest sport climb. Right off the deck the cord worked flawlessly with a Grigri - always a point of concern for ropes under 10mm - and was kink free. At 2000 feet up, its substantial but svelte feel provided a sense of security in the rarefied air that a skinnier cord wouldn’t have lent.

Out team of three dished out all sorts of punishment to the Nitro: multiple whips, extended jugging, and belay winching. Aside from some sheath scuffs courtesy of El Gigante’s razor edges, the Nitro came through in spades. So much so, I’ve continued to crag extensively in the five months since.....”

Luke Laeser. October 2005 edition of Climbing magazine.