Beal Cobra II 8.6 Unicore
The Cobra II 8.6 Unicore is a 8.6 mm half rope from Beal, at 49 g/m, for multi-pitch sport and alpine. Rated for 12 UIAA falls with 5.5 kN impact force, 33% dynamic elongation and a 41% sheath share. Dry Cover sheath dry treatment. In stock at 8 shops from 119.90 EUR for 60 m.
Beal's half rope for adventure terrain, which Beal describes as a compromise between strength and lightness for big walls, crags and mountaineering. 8.6 mm, 49 g/m, 5.5 kN impact force, 12 UIAA falls guaranteed (16 in Beal's lab test). Unicore bonds core and sheath, and Beal states that a rope with a cut sheath can still be rappelled on. Sold in two finishes with identical figures: Dry Cover (sheath treatment) and Golden Dry (core and sheath, UIAA Water Repellent); this page groups both.
Cobra II 8.6 Unicore belay device compatibility
Compatible with 26 of the 27 belay devices we track that are rated for half ropes, 25 of them ideal.
Ideal on, among others:
Every belay device rated for a 8.6 mm half rope
What the Cobra II 8.6 Unicore is for
Best for multi-pitch sport and alpine. Aimed at intermediate to advanced climbers. Handling feel: supple. Durability: high.
Strengths & Trade-offs
Cobra II 8.6 Unicore strengths
- 12 UIAA falls as a half rope guaranteed, 16 in Beal's lab test
- 5.5 kN impact force as a half rope, in the lowest quarter of the 28 half ropes we track
- Unicore bonds core and sheath: Beal states you can still rappel on it with a cut sheath
- Sold in two finishes, Dry Cover (sheath only) and Golden Dry (core and sheath, UIAA Water Repellent)
- Sold up to 100 m, plus 200 m spools
Cobra II 8.6 Unicore trade-offs
- The Dry Cover finish is a sheath-only treatment; only the Golden Dry version carries the UIAA Water Repellent label
Cobra II 8.6 Unicore spec profile
The maker's figures for the Cobra II 8.6 Unicore, each against the 28 half ropes we track.
- Weight 49 g/m: heavy for a half rope
- Diameter 8.6 mm: thick for a half rope
- UIAA falls 12: among the highest fall ratings for a half rope
- Impact force 5.5 kN: a softer catch than most half ropes
- Dynamic elongation 33%: typical stretch in a fall for a half rope
- Sheath share 41%: a higher sheath share than most half ropes
Cobra II 8.6 Unicore specifications
| Diameter | 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 49 g/m |
| Sheath share | 41% |
| Lengths sold | 50 / 60 / 70 / 100 / 200 m |
| Certified as | Half |
| Standards | EN 892, UIAA 101 |
| UIAA falls | 12 |
| Impact force | 5.5 kN |
| Dynamic elongation | 33% |
| Static elongation | 9% |
| Sheath slippage | 0 mm |
| Dry treatment | Dry Cover (sheath only) |
| UIAA Water Repellent | No |
| Core construction | unicore |
| Middle mark | Ink mark |
| End marks | Yes |
| Released | 2024 |
| Bluesign | Yes |
| PFC-free | Yes |
What the Cobra II 8.6 Unicore costs
Prices checked 15 Oct 2026 across 10 shops that currently stock it. Cheapest current offer for 60 m: 119.90 EUR at oliunid.de, 45% below the 219.00 EUR list price.
| Length | Cheapest | Shop | Shops with this length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m | 102.90 EUR | oliunid.de | 8 |
| 60 m | 119.90 EUR | oliunid.de | 8 |
| 70 m | 180.90 EUR | snowleader.be | 4 |
| 100 m | 265.99 EUR | barrabes.com | 1 |
Shops stocking the 60 m length, cheapest first:
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| oliunid.de | 119.90 EUR |
| epictv.com | 119.90 EUR |
| barrabes.com | 128.63 EUR |
| snowleader.com | 139.90 EUR |
| decathlon.de | 141.60 EUR |
| sportokay.com | 144.31 EUR |
| bananafingers.co.uk | 150.01 EUR |
| 9cclimbing.com | 358.94 EUR |
Alternatives to the Cobra II 8.6 Unicore
- Petzl Tango 8.5
- Black Diamond 8.5 Dry
- Fixe Amitges 8.4
- Petzl Salsa 8.2
- Edelrid Starling Eco Dry 8.2
- Fixe Riglos 8.4
Prices, stock and owner fit data on this page update daily. You are welcome to cite these figures if you name climbing-gear.com and link to this page - see our data terms.