Updated: November 4, 2026 · By René Schmidt
Short answer: For double unders, a light rope with the right length beats an expensive rope with the wrong length. If you are still learning, a light weighted rope around 1/4 lb or a coated speed cable gives you a good balance of speed and feel. If single double unders already work and you want longer chains, a thinner and lighter speed rope makes sense. Heavy ropes are the wrong tool for this skill.
A double under means the rope passes under your feet twice during one jump. The skill comes from timing: a slightly higher jump, a short and fast wrist turn, and a calm landing. The rope cannot do that for you, but it can make the timing easier or harder. This guide compares rope types for double unders, shows where Crossrope ropes fit in, and is honest about when a cheaper rope is enough.
What a double under rope has to do
Three properties decide whether a rope helps you with this skill:
- Turning speed: the rope has to complete two turns while you are in the air. A lighter rope reaches that speed with less effort.
- Feedback: you need to sense where the rope is. A rope with a little weight tells your hands more about the turn than an almost weightless cable.
- Length: a rope that is too long drags on the floor in front of you and costs time on every turn. A rope that is too short catches your toes.
Speed and feedback pull in opposite directions. That is why there is no single best rope for everyone, only a best rope for your current stage.
Rope types compared for double unders
| Rope type | Speed | Feel for the rope | Best stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare thin speed cable | Very high | Low; small timing errors end the set | Long chains once the skill is stable |
| Coated speed cable (about 2 to 9 oz) | High | Medium | Learning and early chains |
| Light weighted rope (about 1/4 lb) | Medium to high | Good | Learning the timing |
| 1/2 lb rope | Medium | Very clear | Practice of the rhythm, single attempts |
| 1 lb and heavier | Low | Very clear | Not for double unders; strength and conditioning work |
| Basic PVC or beaded rope | Medium | Good | First attempts, if the length fits |
The Crossrope options for double unders
Crossrope sells three routes that are relevant here. All details below are according to Crossrope (checked on November 4, 2026); prices are US prices and can change.
Bolt Set. Aluminum handles with a 1 oz Sprint Rope and a 2 oz Speed Rope, and the length is adjustable. Crossrope describes the set as made for speed and double unders. US price on crossrope.com as of Nov 4, 2026: $69.95. The important limitation: Bolt is its own system. The ropes do not clip into the fast-clip handles, and Bolt handles do not take the weighted fast-clip ropes.
Speed Performance Set. Speed Performance Handles with a 3 oz, a 6 oz and a 9 oz speed rope. US price on crossrope.com as of Nov 4, 2026: $169. The three ropes are also sold on their own for $29.95, $34.95 and $39.95. This set suits people who want to move from a slightly heavier speed rope to a lighter one as their timing improves.
Get Lean Set. Slim Handles with a 1/4 lb and a 1/2 lb rope, US price on crossrope.com as of Nov 4, 2026: $129. Crossrope recommends this set for beginners and describes the 1/4 lb rope for a faster cadence. For double unders, the 1/4 lb rope is the interesting one; the 1/2 lb rope is better for practicing the higher jump and the wrist rhythm at a calmer pace.
You can see all three in the ☞ Crossrope jump rope collection. If you already own fast-clip handles, a single speed rope can be the cheapest way in; my replacement ropes guide explains which single ropes fit which handles.
Why length matters more than brand
With double unders, a few centimeters change a lot. A rope that is a bit too long hits the floor far in front of you and slows every second turn.
Adjustable cables, such as the Bolt Set, let you shorten in small steps. Do that slowly: take off a little, jump a few sessions, then decide again. Once a cable is cut, it stays short. Crossrope's fast-clip ropes are a different case. They come in fixed sizes matched to your height, and Crossrope does not intend them to be shortened. For example, Crossrope lists a size M rope at 8'6" for people from 5'5.5" to 5'10". My sizing guide goes through the whole chart. If you are tall, the ceiling becomes part of the question too; see jump rope for tall people.
Speed rope or light weighted rope?
Many people buy the lightest rope they can find for double unders, then wonder why they miss more than before. A very light cable turns fast, but you hardly feel it. If your timing is still unstable, you lose track of the rope and catch it on your feet.
A light weighted rope works the other way. It turns a little slower, but your hands feel the rope during the whole turn. For many learners, that makes it easier to find the moment for the second, faster turn. Once single double unders work reliably, a lighter speed rope can help with longer chains. In short: learn with what you can feel, then go faster.
My own double unders
I filmed double unders and crossovers for my German channel in 2016 and 2017. In the music video below you can see double unders and cross jumps mixed into a normal session. Back then I also recorded a short video about the handles of a light speed rope from another brand. What I said about it then still matters for this skill: grippy handles that stay comfortable in summer and in winter make fast workouts easier. I still jump rope today, now with Crossrope ropes and the AMP handles I bought myself: very grippy, easy to hold even with sweaty hands. I'm sharing this from my own jumping, not as a formal lab test.
The videos below are from my German YouTube channel. Each video is in German, but easy to follow by watching, because the movements and the equipment speak for themselves.
Click to load a video from my YouTube channel SPRINGSEILPOWER. This connects to YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com); nothing is loaded from YouTube before you click.
Watch directly on YouTube: SEILSPRINGEN KREUZDURCHSCHLAG ÜBEN
Practicing crossovers on my channel (video in German, 2016).
Click to load a video from my YouTube channel SPRINGSEILPOWER. This connects to YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com); nothing is loaded from YouTube before you click.
Watch directly on YouTube: MUSIKVIDEO SEILSPRINGEN | Länge 2:34 mit Double Under und Kreuzsprung
A jump rope music video with double unders and cross jumps (video in German, 2017).
Click to load a video from my YouTube channel SPRINGSEILPOWER. This connects to YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com); nothing is loaded from YouTube before you click.
Watch directly on YouTube: PROSPEEDROPE SPRINGSEIL GRIFFE | Seilspringen lernen
My look at the handles of a speed rope (video in German, 2017).
Practice tips that matter more than the rope
- Jump a bit higher, not much higher. A few extra centimeters of air time are enough.
- Keep the hands in place. The faster turn comes from the wrists. If your arms swing out, the rope gets shorter and catches.
- Single attempts first. Do a few basic bounces, then one double under, then basic bounces again.
- Change one thing at a time. New rope, new length and new technique together make it impossible to know what helped.
Who a dedicated double under rope is for, and who should skip it
A good fit: people who can jump a relaxed basic bounce for a minute, want to learn or improve double unders, and are ready to set the rope length carefully.
Better skip it for now: if basic bounces still fall apart, if you mainly want strength and conditioning work with heavy ropes, or if your ceiling is low. If you have pain or a health condition, ask a doctor or physiotherapist before you add jumps with more height and speed.
The honest downsides
- Fast ropes hurt when you miss: a thin cable stings on the shins, and misses are part of learning.
- Two systems: the Bolt Set does not work with fast-clip handles, so you may end up with handles that only fit one set of ropes.
- Fixed sizes: fast-clip ropes are not meant to be shortened, so a wrong size means a different rope, not a quick adjustment.
- Price: a set with several ropes costs more than a simple speed rope, and you may only use one of the ropes for this skill.
Cheaper alternatives
Many people learn their first double unders with a simple PVC rope or a basic coated speed cable with adjustable length. Both categories are available at low prices from many brands. If you buy one, look for an even turn, a length you can adjust, and handles that do not slip. Compare current models before you decide; a more expensive system only pays off if you will use its other ropes too.
FAQ
What is the best jump rope for double unders?
The one you can size correctly and time well. For most people that is a light rope, either a thin speed cable or a light weighted rope of about 1/4 lb. A very light competition cable is fast, but it forgives fewer timing errors, so it is not automatically the best choice for learning.
Is a weighted rope good for learning double unders?
A light weighted rope can help, because you feel where the rope is during the turn. Heavier ropes of 1 lb and more turn too slowly for most people to pass the rope twice in one jump, so keep them for other work.
Should my rope be shorter for double unders?
Slightly shorter than a beginner setting is common, because a shorter rope travels a shorter path. Shorten an adjustable cable in small steps and jump a few sessions before you cut again. Crossrope ropes come in fixed sizes, so with them the size you order is the length you get.
Does the Crossrope Bolt Set work with other Crossrope handles?
No. According to Crossrope (checked on November 4, 2026), the Bolt handles and ropes are their own system and do not use the fast-clip connection of the Slim, Power or Speed Performance handles.
Bottom line
The best jump rope for double unders is a light rope in the right length that you can still feel during the turn. For learning, a coated speed cable or a 1/4 lb rope is a sensible choice; for long chains, a lighter speed rope helps once the timing is stable. If you want to compare the options side by side, ☞ look at Crossrope's speed and weighted ropes. For a set with a light weighted rope plus a second rope for calmer practice, ☞ see the Get Lean Set.
More in English
- English start page – Start page of the English section
- Crossrope Review – Is the weighted jump rope system worth it?
- Get Lean vs Get Strong – Which set fits which goal, including AMP
- Sizing Guide – Which size and which rope weight to choose
- AMP Review – Are the Bluetooth handles worth the membership?
- AMP Handles Explained – What the smart handles do, how pairing and charging work, what you need
- Mat Review – Do you need a mat, and which surfaces call for one?
- Crossrope vs Regular Rope – When a simple rope is enough, and when Crossrope is worth more
- Weighted Rope for Beginners – How to choose your first weighted jump rope
- Heavy Jump Ropes – What a 1 lb or 2 lb rope changes, and who it suits
- Jump Rope Gift Guide – How to give a jump rope without knowing the right size
- Jumping in an Apartment – Mat, surface and rope choices for quieter workouts at home
- Jump Rope for Tall People – Rope length, ceiling height and space if you are 6 feet or taller
- Replacement Ropes – Single ropes for your handles: which weights fit and when to replace one
- Weighted Rope Workout – A 20-minute interval session with 12 one-minute rounds
- Warranty and Returns – What the 60-day guarantee and the handle warranty cover, in the US and abroad
- Jump Rope for Boxing – Which rope suits round-based boxing conditioning, and which to skip
- App Membership – What Lite and Standard include, US prices, and when membership is worth it
- How Long a Rope Lasts – Cable wear, coating, surface and care – without invented lifespan numbers
- Handles Comparison – Slim vs Power vs Speed Performance handles – which non-AMP grip fits your ropes
- Speed vs Weighted Rope – Pick by goal: endurance, technique or strength stimulus – not a product catalog
- How to Jump Rope – Step-by-step basics: rope length, bounce step, arm path and the first 30 days
- Criss Cross Guide – Learn the cross-over in stages: hand position, open-cross-open drills and common fixes
- Get Lean Set Review – What is in the beginner set, which size to pick, and what it does not include
- Boxer Skip Guide – Learn the boxer step in stages: weight shift, rhythm, footwork drills and common fixes
- Double Under Guide – Learn the double under in stages: timing without a rope, single attempts, then short chains
- Tricks for Beginners – Which beginner tricks to learn first, what each one trains and how to practice it
- Side Swing Guide – Learn the side swing in three steps: swing beside the body, switch sides, then open and jump back in
- Warm-Up Routine – A calm warm-up before a jump rope session, and how to use the rope itself as a warm-up for other training
- Why You Keep Tripping – Find out when and where the rope hits you, then change one thing at a time until the rhythm holds
- Jumping Backwards – Learn the basic jump with the rope turning backwards: start position, timing without seeing the rope, first sets
- Stop Double Bouncing – Get rid of the extra little hop between rope turns: one jump per turn, built up from single jumps
- When the Rope Twists – Loop at rest, trouble at the handle or only in one move: what to check first and when to ask the manufacturer
☞ Affiliate disclosure: links marked with ☞ are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.