The 7 Best Shibari Ropes to Get Wound Up in Knots
| Test Winner | Cheapest | Beginner | Pre-Tied | Advanced | Long | Electrostim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Doc Johnson Bondage Rope | Bondage Couture Rope | Hemp Rope Kit | Kink Hog Tie Cuffs | Jute Bondage Rope | Kink Hemp Rope | Decorative Conductive Rope |
| Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Why You Should Trust Our Reviews of Shibari Rope
Here at Bedbible, we cover a wide variety of sex toys & sex-related topics. Whether you’re looking for a new dildo or an in-depth breast bondage guide, we aim to be your one and only source on the journey to better sex. Of course, that requires a high level of trust from our readers. As a company, we’ve tested over 300 different products and continue to test more, using a diverse combination of staff and freelancers to expand our operations. Unlike other sites that focus primarily on turning a profit, we’ve made sexual education our primary goal. As such, you can read about both the benefits and drawbacks of every product we recommend, rather than receiving a sugarcoated overview that fails to address any issues that a particular item might have. Honesty is the best policy, so you can always trust Bedbible to tell it how it is, even if doing so is counterproductive to our commission-based affiliate system. Thanks for reading!
Shibari Rope Materials
We’ve briefly listed common shibari rope materials below. If you’re interested in learning more about each one, scroll down to the “Which Materials are Best for Shibari Rope?” section!
- Hemp
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Jute
- Silk
- & more!
Safety Precautions to Take with Shibari Rope
With a willing partner and the right soft rope, shibari can be a sensual and sexy way to enjoy some power play with your partner. However, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure a safe session. Here are eight safety precautions we recommend taking.
- Stay sober for shibari
- Keep a set of bandage shears on hand (for quick removal of ropes)
- Communicate any previous injuries with your partner, as well as parts you don’t want touched/tied
- Don’t be afraid to speak up, especially if you’re experiencing any numbness, tingling, burning, or coldness sensations
- Never leave your partner alone
- Stick to tying rope over larger muscle groups, and avoid circulatory areas like the back of the knee or the armpits
- Learn basic anatomy (for reference on where or where not to tie)
Table of contents (17)
The 7 Best Shibari Ropes in Test
Doc Johnson Japanese-Style 10 Metre Bondage Rope
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We love the purple colour and slight smell of lavender of this eye-catching rope. You can create beautiful binds and intricate restraints with Doc Johnson’s bondage rope. Because of its shape, it lies flat against the skin, and the super-soft cotton reduces chafing. The length is also perfect for creating more-complex designs, and you can always mix and match with different colours.
Remember to keep scissors nearby when playing with rope if anyone feels uncomfortable or unsafe and needs to get out of there quickly.
The Doc Johnson Japanese-Style 10 Metre Bondage Rope was rated 10 out of 100 meaning that it is most suitable for a complete beginner
| Length | 393 inches |
| Materials | Cotton |
This rope is perfect if you are just starting to build up your BDSM collection. It comes in a range of colours so that you can mix and match. It is long enough for more complex knots but not so long that it will get tangled. Doc Johnson can easily be thrown into the washing machine after you are done getting each other all wound up.
Always keep a pair of safety scissors nearby in case of an emergency, remember to keep up the line of communication, and keep checking in with one another to ensure the best experience.
Bondage Couture Rope By NS Novelties
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Not only does this rope feel deliciously smooth against your skin, but it also looks fantastic! The NS Novelties Bondage Couture Rope makes for silky, shiny binds that will enhance your artwork. The soft ropes are also ideal for any bondage beginners. Because this rope is shiny, it’s easier to get out of knots should you change your mind at any time. However, if you are looking to get into a bit of sadistic play, this rope may not satisfy your desire for roughness.
We don’t suggest using the Couture Rope for suspension, but if you are interested in bondage swings, check out our article here.
The Bondage Couture Rope By NS Novelties was rated 0 out of 100 meaning that it is most suitable for a complete beginner
| Length | 300 inches |
| Diameter | 2 inches |
| Materials | Synthetic rope |
The Couture Bondage rope by NS Novelties is luxurious and sturdy, gorgeous and practical, and it makes for a perfect beginner rope or more aesthetic designs. The narrow diameter means that this rope can feel a bit tight at times, which may be a good thing for some! However, the shininess of the cord makes it easy to untie quickly in emergencies. Just in case, always keep a pair of safety scissors nearby.
The Stockroom Hemp Rope Starter Kit
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Bondage enthusiasts laud hemp rope as the best for Shibari because it is soft, natural, and extremely strong. This hemp rope is organic, fair trade, and processed with allergen-free oils, so not only will it feel smooth against your skin, but it will not irritate it. It is also 100% vegan and animal friendly. Each starter kit includes one 30-foot rope and two 10-foot lengths of rope, as well as a pair of EMT Safety Shears. These are made from stainless steel to cut through strong rope, but they’re blunt-tipped for cutting close to the skin.
This kit is excellent for beginners starting a new collection or bondage enthusiasts looking to create more intricate designs that require more rope. The ropes come in three different colour sets, too, in case you want to liven up your artistic knots. We also love that hemp is natural, good for your skin, and good for the environment. However, we suggest that you watch a few video tutorials on the care of hemp rope before you throw yours in the washing machine to ensure it retains its gloss and does not fray.
Kink by Doc Johnson Hemp Hog Tie Cuffs
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With just one piece of rope and no knowledge of Shibari knots at all, you can delve into the exciting world of restraint-play. A versatile and easy-to-use set of cuffs, Doc Johnson’s hemp rope slips around your lover’s wrists, ankles, or both if you want to truss them up (or be trussed up). Astonishingly simple bondage play is now at your fingertips!
However, if you are curious about Shibari and want to learn how to tie knots in intricate patterns, then you may prefer buying a length of rope to experiment with. If you’re curious about other tools for BDSM, check out this article.
The Kink by Doc Johnson Hemp Hog Tie Cuffs was rated 0 out of 100 meaning that it is most suitable for a complete beginner
| Length | 63 inches |
| Diameter | 0.24 inches |
| Materials | Hemp |
| Waterproof | Submersible |
These soft cuffs are an ideal introduction to rope play for beginners and an easy way to incorporate bondage play anytime, anywhere for even more experienced users. The simple slip-ring design requires no knotting experience, and the adjustable loop allows you to customise your experience. They are suitable for use with bondage pillows, too. The soft hemp fibres bend with the body and slide smoothly across your skin for optimal comfort and safety.
Natural Jute Bondage Rope from Paraphilia Toys
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This beautiful, eco-friendly bondage rope by Paraphilia Toys is made of top-quality, single-ply Tossa jute. The texture of the rope enables it to securely grip itself well so that you can tightly bind your sub, and the skin-friendly oils in the rope ensure that they won’t chafe. Have fun watching Youtube tutorials together or inventing your own sexy knot designs. Experiment with different caresses as you enjoy the sensual and intimate experience of consensual bondage.
This rope is perfect for BDSM enthusiasts who love intricate Shibari knotting, hog ties, and breast bondage.
The Natural Jute Bondage Rope from Paraphilia Toys was rated 80 out of 100 meaning that it is most suitable for someone with some experience
| Length | 360 inches |
| Diameter | 0.24 inches |
| Materials | Jute |
This rope enables you to get inventive with various methods of limiting or being controlled by your partner. Your imagination is the limit! If you are an advanced practitioner of bondage, you will love the restrictive feel of the jute as it tightens around your wrists, ankles, or both!
Don’t give up if your jute rope feels hard and difficult to tie at first; this happens with jute, and it will become softer and more pliable the more you use it.
Kink Bind and Tie Hemp Rope
The Kink Hemp Shibari is perfect for intermediate players moving on to more advanced knotting patterns. It has the ideal amount of grippiness to keep your knots firm while still being easy to undo. This rope is strong, flexible, and slides smoothly across the skin for ultimate comfort.
Beginners may find the rope’s diameter too short, making the rope feel like it’s digging in.
The Kink Bind and Tie Hemp Rope was rated 50 out of 100 meaning that it is most suitable for someone with some experience
| Length | 600 inches |
| Texture | Soft but grippy |
| Materials | Hemp |
This is an excellent rope for intermediate Shibari players, and it comes in saucy black or au naturale. It can be knotted tightly and firmly, and the narrow rope can dig into the skin a little… if you want it to. The length of this rope is perfect for longer, intricate knot designs, but you can also customize your rope and trim it to any size that you like.
We recommend watching a few videos about treating hemp ropes or seeing if any Shibari workshops are happening near you to learn how to take care of your rope.
30ft Decorative Conductive Rope
This smooth and flexible conductive rope is ideal for decorative bondage, predicament bondage scenes, or intricate and beautiful Shibari.
It works well with violet wands and Electro-stimulation control boxes. Lay your wire along the floor (metal in a table may interfere), connect to the electrode and then experiment with running your hand near the wire.
If this seems intimidating, why not check out our roundup of bondage tape? Take your time discovering what you like.
Talk about feeling a spark between you and your partner! This exciting conductive rope will have you shrieking with pleasure in no time. Plus, it works excellently for intricate Shibari binding.
To clean your rope, slip it into a lingerie bag to keep it from getting tangled, then add it to a machine wash with similar colours. Use cold water and air dry to avoid shrinking.
Comparison of the 7 best Shibari Ropes
| Best | Test Winner | Cheapest | Beginner | Pre-Tied | Advanced | Long | Electrostim |
| Overall score | 4.7 / 5.0 | - | - | - | 4.8 / 5.0 | - | - |
| Bedbible rating | 4.7 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.7 / 5.0 | 4.9 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 |
| User rating | 4.7 / 5.0 from 50 users | - | - | - | 5 / 5.0 from 1 users | - | - |
| Price | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Design | 80 / 100 | 75 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 100 / 100 | 80 / 100 | 80 / 100 | 80 / 100 |
| Ease of use | 80 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 100 / 100 | 95 / 100 | 80 / 100 | 75 / 100 | 70 / 100 |
| Quality | 90 / 100 | 75 / 100 | 70 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 95 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 90 / 100 |
| Sound | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Power | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Buzzy/Rumbly | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Length | 393 inches | 300 inches | 360 (x1) inches | 63 inches | 360 inches | 600 inches | 360 inches |
| Materials | Cotton | Synthetic rope | Organic, Fair Trade Hemp | Hemp | Jute | Hemp | Conductive rope |
| Diameter | - | 2 inches | 0.24 inches | 0.24 inches | 0.24 inches | - | - |
| Waterproof | - | - | - | Submersible | - | - | No |
| Texture | - | - | - | - | - | Soft but grippy | - |
The Essential Companion to Shibari Rope
The first rule of Shibari and other bondage is to make sure that you have a handy escape method nearby should you ever need to get out of your knots in a hurry. For this reason, we strongly advise that you invest in a pair of safety shears that can easily chop through whatever restraints you are using.
Ouch! Bondage Safety Scissors
Perfect for cutting through ropes, satin ties, bondage tape, cloth and more, these are the ultimate pair of safety shears. These blunt-ended scissors enable you to cut close to the skin without stabbing or scraping, granting a speedy release from knotted restraints should anyone start to panic or feel uncomfortable.
Suspend Your Sub with This Shibari Frame
Are you looking to take your Shibari to the next level? You literally can, with suspension! Give yourself up to total surrender and enjoy the intimacy and trust you will feel when indulging in some high-flying fun!
Tetruss Maxximus Suspension Bondage Frame
Turn your bedroom, hotel room, or outdoor area into a sex dungeon or Shibari playhouse with ease. The frame holds up to 300 lbs and has a generous spread of 8″ x 42″, allowing a lot of space for vigorous tickling, teasing, or thrusting, depending on the mood.
Make your wildest Shibari and suspension dreams come true!
Bondage Without the Knots
The worlds of bondage and Shibari can be intimidating at first, but there are several ways that you can ease yourself in. Pre-tied binds, cuffs, tape, and silk are all excellent ways to explore what you like and where your boundaries are.
Tape is the most like rope in the ways you can use it, just without tying knots. It’s versatile and easy to use whenever you want to indulge in some blissful bondage.
Lovehoney Purple Bondage Tape
The Lovehoney Bondage Tape sticks to itself well and binds securely but doesn’t cling to your skin when you remove it. It has a gorgeous shine and smooth feel, and adds a fun pop of colour to your boudoir. It is versatile and elastic; you can stretch it, wrap it, tie it, let your imagination run wild.
Keep a pair of safety scissors available to remove, but you can unwind it if you don’t lose the ends.
Which Materials are Best for Shibari Rope?
Shibari can be a most intimate and erotic act between two people, and the first rule of Shibari is that everyone involved feels safe, heard, comfortable, and consenting. Because we are all unique and magnificent, and we have varying tastes, the best Shibari rope for you is the one that feels the best on your skin. You should also take into account what your goals are. Is the rope for decorative Shibari, sturdy suspension, or bedtime bondage? Is it grippy? Beautiful to look at? Allergen-free?Find out what you like! Please keep reading to learn about the different kinds of bondage ropes and their qualities.
Hemp Rope
- soft, knots easily
- easier to care for than jute
- slightly stronger than jute
- good for the environment
Jute
- springier and lighter than hemp and linen
- knots well
- unties easily
- difficult to care for
- though many use it for suspension, others argue against this due to its weakness
Cotton
- soft touch
- knots easily, but is difficult to untie
- not recommended for suspension
- Can stretch
Bamboo/Rayon and Silk
- similar strength to hemp
- typically the softest of the ropes
- good for bedroom bondage
- knot easily
- the stretch makes these unsuitable for suspension
- expensive
