Silky smooth, sleek, sexy, and seductive – Japanese silk rope is a must-have accessory if you’re serious about bondage. It gives you smoothness, comfort, and strength at the same time as it is intended for shibari knot tying.
However, shibari rope is super versatile and a great option to spice things up; you’ll have fun with it even if you’re not a BDSM expert. All that matters is buying the right rope and engaging in some fun, consensual power play. Here we bring you a list of some of the best shibari ropes and a few tips to help you unleash the full potential of the Japanese style of bondage.
Quick Overview of Our Top Pics
- Best Super-Soft Shibari Rope: Shots Ouch Soft Silk Japanese Rope
- Best Long & Durable Shibari Rope: Fetish Fantasy Series Japanese Silk Rope
- Best Budget Pick Bondage Rope: Sex & Mischief Black Silky Rope
- Best Double Braided Rope: 30ft Bondage Rope
- Best Pre-Bound Hogtie Rope: Silk Rope Hogtie
- Best Best Value Bondage Rope: Fetish Fantasy Series Deluxe Silk Rope
- Best Advanced Use Rope: Tied Up Jute Bondage Rope
- Best Beginner-Friendly Rope: Fetish Fantasy Series Silk Rope Bondage Set
- Best Double Pack Option: Restrain Me Bondage Rope Twin Pack
- Best Rope Handcuffs: Original Sin Rope Cuffs
Deep Dive: Our Top Pics
Shots Ouch Soft Silk Japanese Rope
Best Super Soft Shibari Rope
Our Rating: 4.7/5 Why We Picked ItSilky smooth and generously sized, the Shots Ouch Soft Silk Japanese Rope gives you enough to play with any way you want. Use it to practice your knots, restrain your partner, or even partake in a suspension scenario. The rope is strong enough to sustain the weight while also giving you precise, beautiful knots – two features that we rarely find in the same product. We really love the texture of the rope, the delicate grip, and the seductive color range. Smooth and sensual, it feels great against the skin and is super easy to work with. Who It's ForThe smoothness and the length make the Shots Ouch Soft Silk Japanese Rope an excellent pick for all experience levels. Still, beginning and intermediate users may have more fun with it than seasoned BDSM pros. What Customers Are Saying - Ok Ok rope, great price and very fast shipping! - Kiki - Unmatched quality The silk rope has unmatched quality and softness, perfect for tying my partner and exploring new styles of bondage play - Ron Reasons to Buy✓ Very soft and smooth ✓ Reasonably priced ✓ Tough and long-lived ✓ Easy care and maintenance Reasons to Avoid✗ It may be a bit short for experienced practitioners
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Fetish Fantasy Series Japanese Silk Rope
Best Long and Durable Rope
Why We Picked ItVery soft and long (you’ll get 35 feet of super durable and flexible Japanese rope), this Fetish Fantasy product gives you more for less and we really love the fact! The shibari rope is an incredibly budget-friendly choice and delivers versatility and ease of use. It’s also really tough and you’ll get to enjoy it for many, many years to come. The gorgeous color and a bit of added texture make the rope an even more exciting bondage accessory that will arouse both newbies and experienced shibari practitioners. And there’s just so much you can do with it – restrain a partner, practice your knots, do wrapping – those are just a few suggestions! Who It's ForThe rope is recommended for every user. The Fetish Fantasy Series Japanese Silk Rope gives you enough length, it’s durable and very easy to work with. These features make it beginner-friendly, while the quality and toughness of the material will also please the pros. Reasons to Buy✓ Excellent price-to-quality ratio ✓ Very soft and lovely texture ✓ Durable but comfortable at the same time ✓ Easy to use, regardless of experience level Reasons to Avoid✗ It’s not made of actual silk
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Sex & Mischief Black Silky Rope
Best Budget Pick Bondage Rope
Why We Picked ItWhat’s better than getting one reasonably priced, high-quality shibari rope? Getting two of them! That’s precisely why we love the Sex & Mischief Black Silky Rope set. You’ll enjoy two smooth shibari ropes, each one measuring six feet. You’ll get more than enough length to practice your knots and restrain your partner in the most imaginative way. Sleek and smooth, the fabric of these ropes feels comfortable against the skin and it allows tying compact knots. The material is also very easy to care for. Wash it, dry it, store it properly and you’ll get many years of good use. Who It's ForAs these ropes are on the shorter side, they’re an excellent choice for beginners who want to practice their shibari knots. The set can also be used to supplement a longer rope – perfect for add-on restraints. Reasons to Buy✓ Sleek, smooth, and comfortable ✓ Great for beginners ✓ Excellent price-to-quality ratio ✓ Easy to maintain Reasons to Avoid✗ Not suitable for advanced practitioners
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30ft Bondage Rope
Best Double Braided Rope
Why We Picked ItEasy to work with and easy to keep in perfect condition, the double braided shibari rope you see here is a definite keeper. Its double-braided construction and coreless design make it so easy to work with. You also get enough length to practice your knots, suspend your sub, or even engage in some wrapping. Silky smooth nylon feels slippery and sensual against the skin and it also holds compact knots well. With so much length, you can easily put your sub in any position and they’ll love it. Who It's ForThe double braided rope is good for everyone. More inexperienced practitioners, however, may find the slipperiness of nylon a bit difficult to work with. Reasons to Buy✓ Sufficient length, super versatile ✓ Very durable and easy to clean ✓ Good for all experience levels ✓ Excellent price-to-quality ratio Reasons to Avoid✗ Nylon can be a bit difficult to work with
Silk Rope HogtieBest Pre-Bound Hogtie Rope
Fetish Fantasy Series Deluxe Silk RopeBest Value Bondage Rope
Fetish Fantasy Series Silk Rope Bondage SetBest Beginner-Friendly Rope
Restrain Me Bondage Rope Twin PackBest Double Pack Option
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What Is Shibari?
Also known as kinbaku (tight binding), shibari is a traditional Japanese form of bondage.Historically, it’s been used as a form of meditation and even relaxation. In a contemporary narrative, shibari is an erotic art that involves creating intricate knots aimed at binding and immobilizing a partner. Apart from the BDSM element, shibari can also involve erotic stimulation like foreplay or penetrative sex.
Anyone can practice shibari and it will appeal the most to people who are aroused by power play scenarios. Any two consenting adults can explore the incredible intimacy that dominance and submission bring to the table. Shibari may even be incorporated in solo play scenarios to increase arousal and bring something new and fresh to the experience
Shibari and Bondage Safety Concerns
Obviously, it’s most important to engage in bondage or power play scenarios with a consenting partner. When you have this essential in place, focus on safety considerations that will guarantee a mutually enjoyable experience freed from common risks.
The biggest concern with rope bondage is nerve compression which can lead to injuries. Whenever a nerve is pressed for prolonged periods of time, permanent damage can occur. Nerve compression can lead to numbness in a limb, weakness, or muscle movement issues.
Leaving a submissive partner alone when tied up can also be very dangerous and even lead to death. There have been instances of people experiencing breathing difficulties and even suffocation because they were tied up and left unsupervised by their dom.
A few additional safety concerns include falling in the case of suspension with a weak rope, blood circulation issues after prolonged sessions, rope marks, and burns. There are a few simple things you can do to mitigate those risks:
- Never practice bondage under the influence
- Have an emergency kit consisting of safety shears and a safety hook
- Don’t make the rope too tight and tie it away from joints
- Always monitor the motor function and comfort level of a submissive partner
- Be mindful of hard surfaces pressing against the rope or too bulky of knots digging into the flesh
- Avoid rope around the neck
- Avoid body positions that restrict breathing
- Get rid of tripping hazards
- If you are self-tying, do have a spotter who will check in on you
- Provide good aftercare to someone who has been bound (food, hydration
- Have a safe word or signal
- Always practice bondage with high quality, well-maintained equipment
A Few Essential Shibari Knots
Shibari knots (ties) come in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few of the essentials to master:
- Single column tie: this is the most common kind of shibari knot. In this terminology, the column is the thing that you’re tying. There are various methods for the creation of a single-column tie and you can discover numerous videos online to help you get started.
- Double-column tie: it’s used to tie two columns together – hands, feet, a wrist to an ankle, etc.
- Overhand knot: while the previous two are ties, this one is an actual knot. It’s probably the simplest one that’s also quite versatile. An overhand knot can be used to stop the rope from sliding off an anchor point, hold the two ends of a rope together or to even prevent the rope from fraying.
- Square knot: consisting of two overlapping overhead knots, a square knot is great for joining two ends of a rope together. It can, however, come undone easily.
- Lark’s head: it’s the starting point of both single-column and double-column ties. It’s the basis for numerous advanced roping techniques and something you need to master if you’re serious about more intricate BDSM experimentation in the future.
- Half-hitch: predominantly used to lock off a part of a tie, the half-hitch knot is tied under tension. As a result, it’s not suitable for placement directly against human flesh. This kind of knot is also not great for anchoring or suspension.
There are many other much more intricate and advanced shibari knots – prusik head knot (capable of tightening under tension), cross hitch friction knots (to keep two ropes in place), double coin knot (a very elegant knot that ties two ropes together), fisherman’s knot (very simple, effective and beginner-friendly) and various others. Start out with the simplest varieties first and practice a lot, especially before considering the use of shibari rope on a partner.
Taking Care of Your Bondage Rope
A good shibari rope is a loyal friend that will last you a long, long time. Such a trustworthy accomplice, however, deserves a bit of pampering every now and then.
Taking proper care of your bondage ropes is fairly easy. The care steps should be in line with the particular material that the rope is made of. As far as washing and cleaning go, here are a few suggestions based on material:
- Hemp ropes can be machine washed, as long as you use the delicate cycle and cold water. Putting the rope in a lingerie bag adds an extra layer of protection. For best results, hand wash your hemp ropes (half a spoon of clear liquid detergent will be enough to get the job done).
- Jute ropes can be soaked in a tub with a cleaning solution, rinsed, and dried.
- Silk ropes should only be washed when cleaning is an absolute necessity. Hand washing in a tub or a sink is the only way to get the job done. Use a delicate detergent and stir gently. Don’t squeeze or wring a silk rope. Rinse in cool water as many times as needed.
Drying is also dependent on the material. For example, hemp ropes can be hung in loose coils until water stops dripping from the rope. When this happens, the rope should be stretched out and left to dry completely. Jute curls when it’s wet and it loses a lot of its length. It will also need to be stretched out after it stops dripping water.
Ropes made of synthetic materials are very easy to dry, but remember to store them only after these are fully dry.
To optimize the lifespan of shibari ropes, oiling or buttering will also be recommended. Hemp and jute are natural fibers, which means they can become brittle after numerous washing cycles. There are specialized rope oils that will keep the fibers supple and flexible. Silk and synthetic ropes do not require oiling to maintain their properties.
Additional Things to Try with Rope Bondage
As already mentioned, restraining a partner with a shibari rope can be a very intricate intimate experience. For many people, such a session will be satisfying enough on its own. This kind of traditional bondage, however, can be solely the hors d’oeuvre in your sexual menu.
Shibari ropes can be used to restrain a partner, after which you’ll be free to tease and please them in any imaginable way. If you’re more focused on pleasure, a bondage rope can be used alongside toys like a rabbit vibe, a wand massager, or an anal toy. A tickler is another fun product to explore as it increases sensitivity and arousal.
Bondage also works really well with impact play. It’s up to you to decide whether your tool of preference is going to be a paddle, a flogger, or a whip. Just make sure that the experience doesn’t get too overwhelming for your sub. Discuss boundaries in advance and always have a safe word or gesture!
Final Thoughts
Intricate, delicate, and precise, shibari bondage is a true kind of erotic art. Having the right tools will let you experiment and uncover all of its subtle beauty. The good news is that we provide you with a lot of high-quality options worth checking out.
Our suggested list of shibari ropes is meant to satisfy the needs of everyone – from curious amateurs to those who deem themselves BDSM connoisseurs. Still, the selection listed above gives you just a small glimpse into the world of rope bondage, as we have so many intriguing and exciting bondage gear options in our store.
Compare Specs
Best Bondage Ropes
Our Picks | ||||||||||
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Length | 32.8 feet | 35 feet | 2 x 6 feet | 30 feet | Adjustable | 32 feet | 25 feet, 50 feet | Adjustabele | 2 x 16 feet | 19" |
Material | Silk | Cotton, Polyester | Polyester | Nylon | Poly Blend | Polyester | Jute | Vinyl, Polyester | Nylon | Polypropylene, ABS |
Texture | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth | Coarse | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth |
Available Colors | Black | Pink, Purple, Red, Black | Black | Black | Black | Red, Black | Undyed | Red, Black | Red, Black | Black |