Jumping rope can bring a plethora of benefits to your training routine. From mixing up cardio sessions to strengthening your feet and ankles and more, there's an abundance of perks to skipping in place. Jumping rope can also be performed at a variety of intensities — and for those wanting to crank up the volume for CrossFit training or fast-paced movements like double unders, speed ropes are the best rope category to consider.
Two of the best speed ropes on the market are the SR-2 3.0 from Rogue Fitness and the Comp4 from RPM. Both of these lightweight profiles feature thin cables and knurled handles perfect for powering through quick, tight revolutions. But which of these high-octane ropes is the best for your workout routine?
To find out, I tested both the SR-2 3.0 and Comp4 in a rotation of jump rope workouts, comparing the two in terms of comfort, performance and overall looks. Additionally, I looked at how easily these ropes packed in my gym bag, as it's never fun to undo a compartment and have a cable's memory shoot out like some cheap gag gift.
The Contenders for Best Speed Rope
Rogue Fitness SR-2 Speed Rope 3.0
Rogue Fitness is known for its dedication to well-made fitness gear, and this speed rope is an excellent example of that notion. Boasting a high-precision ball-bearing swivel design, you’re effortlessly able to achieve fast revolutions and crisp double unders. The ergonomic, 6.75-inch handle sits comfortably in your palms, albeit with less aggressive knurling than the Comp4, and is easy to turn over, too.
The SR-2 3.0 also comes in a variety of colorways as well, perfect for distinguishing your gear from others in the gym, or just stylizing your training equipment. While there isn’t a storage pouch to help clean up the inside of your gym bag, you can easily secure the coated cable with a hook-and-loop patch or rubber band so the jump rope doesn’t jostle free and jump out like a slinky the next time you open your tote.
RPM Comp4
If you want a true speed demon for those intense days in the CrossFit box, this is a great speed rope to consider. The dual bearing system freely spins and rotates as you turn over the handle, creating a crisp, clean revolution without adding any torque to the cable. The Comp4 also features some serious competition-grade knurling for premium grip and control.
The RPM Comp4 comes equipped with a 12-foot bare cable that’s lightweight and prime for speedy training, but due to the lack of a coating, it’s best to use this when working out on softer gym floors. If you do want to jump rope on concrete or more aggressive surfaces, I recommend swapping the bare cable for one of RPM’s coated options, which are sold separately.
How to Choose Which Speed Rope is Right for You
Choosing a speed rope is a little different than other jump rope varieties. Outside of the normal length requirements — a properly-sized jump rope features a cable that reaches from your feet to your armpits when standing in the center — you also want to look at how thick the cable is. Thinner cables can allow for quicker revolutions while still remaining durable enough for extended use.
Speaking of cables, you also want to consider your typical training environment. If your normal jump rope setup is atop soft gym floors or carpeted surfaces, you can get away with bare, uncoated cables. Anything more aggressive, like concrete, will need some form of coating to help prevent the cable from fraying or damage. Still, it’s best to limit how often you jump rope on concrete or paved surfaces, even with a coated cable, if you want to maintain that fast-paced, durable construction.
Moving into the handle, the best speed ropes feature a lightweight profile that’s easy to turn over. For added grip, look for some form of knurling patch, too. This can help you better control the handle and cable during turnovers and aide in maintaining optimal grip once your workouts get a little sweatier. Both the Comp4 and SR-2 3.0 feature some form of knurling, with the RPM offering boasting the most aggressive of the two.
Lastly, when choosing a speed rope, you want a tool that can rotate easily to achieve multiple revolutions with little friction. Trying to spin the cable at breakneck speeds can create a lot of torque, and if your jump rope doesn’t have a bearing system for easier swiveling, this can contort the cable into a less than ideal shape that makes jumping rope near impossible. Thankfully, both the Comp4 and SR-2 3.0 feature well-designed rotation components that allow the cable to freely spin through training for less knots and twist-ups.
Test 1: Grip and Comfort
Across multiple warmups and intense regimens, I never felt my grip was compromised with the SR-2 3.0 or the Comp4. Both felt exceptionally well in the hands, and turning over their thin, aluminum profiles was near effortless.
I will say, however, that those turnovers were much more enjoyable with the shorter handles of the Comp4. While the more ergonomic bulb at the end of the SR-2 was nice, I do wish the handle was slightly shorter to create less of a hinge that didn’t require a lot of wrist flicking to achieve that ideal revolution. Plus, the knurling on the Comp4 is far more aggressive, which I found to be a benefit after some heavier training days that left my body drenched in sweat. Achieving that locked in feel was never a problem, whereas with the SR-2, I did feel some slippage due to the finer knurling.
Editor’s Note: The SR-2 3.0 is available in a shorter handle for those wanting a more compact profile. The SR-2S 3.0 shrinks the handle by 1.5 inches, down to 5.25 as opposed to the normal SR-2 6.75-inch build.
Test 2: Cable Construction
As far as cables go, both these speed ropes feature impeccable durability and lightweight ropes. Neither cable system had a ton of memory allowing for smooth, arching rotations that gave each revolution plenty of space, and I was even able to achieve a few triple unders thanks to their easy rotation and featherweight design. While the Comp4 features a bare cable, which limits your flooring options, the brand does offer coated cables for outdoor training, as mentioned previously, which I recommend if you plan on jumping rope on concrete or paved surfaces.
Adjusting the cables was also easy to achieve the proper length. With a convenient pair of wire cutters and the right Allen key or screwdriver, fine-tuning both setups took only a few minutes. Adjusting both screws was not the easiest endeavor — you’re dealing with very small hardware — but locking in the set screw on the SR-2 was less of a pain. With the Comp4, you need to rotate the handle at just the right angle to locate the Allen set screw, and the rotation system flows so smoothly that this access can be lost quickly if you’re not focused on the task at hand.
Once everything was said and done, though, I never doubted the cable security and had no fears of losing a set screw, no matter how hard I trained.
Test 3: Storage
Both the Comp4 and SR-2 were easy to roll up into compact circles, but the convenience of RPM’s included microfiber bag made throwing this speed rope in my gym bag less of an issue. The bag kept everything neat and tidy, while the Rogue offering required an extra rubber band or hook-and-loop strap to achieve a similar storage scenario. Thankfully, my particular workout tote has a smaller compartment that fit the SR-2 perfectly so my main opening didn’t resemble a disheveled bird’s nest with wires running everywhere.
Best Overall Speed Rope: RPM Comp4
Despite the bare cable construction, it’s hard to not recommend the RPM Comp4 to anyone looking for a speed rope. The handles practically disappear your hand and the knurling is top notch. Plus, the dual axis system is buttery smooth and takes all the torque out of even the whippiest of revolutions. The Comp4 is more expensive than the SR-2 3.0 — $70 as opposed to $46.50 — but I’m willing to spend the extra dough for the performance boost and convenient storage capabilities.
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Most Versatile Speed Rope: Rogue Fitness SR-2 Speed Rope 3.0
While the SR-2 3.0 is not my favorite speed rope, it’s still one of the best jump ropes available today. The ergonomic handle and durable coated cable can be exceptional for a wide variety of workouts, regardless of your planned intensity. I particularly liked the SR-2 for slower warmup sets, as the ball-bearing swivel system was easy enough to turn over and the longer handle created a little more wrist engagement that was ideal for getting ready for the training ahead. I’ll definitely be keeping this Rogue offering in my rotation and save the Comp4 for more speed-oriented workouts.
