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Throw Bags and Ropes

Top Picks

How we choose: The best throw bags and ropes highlighted here were selected based on 3 reviews of 3 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

How we test: Trailspace is powered entirely by our community of readers. The reviews posted here reflect the real-world experiences of outdoor enthusiasts just like you.

If you've used a throw bag/rope that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.

Disclosure: Trailspace never accepts payment for gear reviews, product placement, or editorial coverage. When you buy through affiliate links on our site, Trailspace may earn a small commission, which helps cover the costs of running the site.

NRS NFPA Rescue Throw Bag

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Will save a life if USED CORRECTLY. (Practice.)

Reasons to Buy

  • Covers good distance if thrown properly (practice)
  • Reflective colors make it easy to spot in the water
  • Easy to coil rope without tangling
  • Can be used to catch another rope in the water

Reasons to Avoid

  • Heavy
  • Takes a while to coil back because of length (use partner's help)

I used this bag in Swift Water Rescue training. Works well and is easy enough to throw. Keep in mind it has plenty of rope and requires a bit of strength to throw the full distance. I only managed to throw it the full 75 feet two or three times in a day practicing with it. It's easy to coil, but it's still 75 feet of rope. Use a partner to help speed things up when coiling the rope. I really liked that the victim's end of the rope has a flotation device (foam) as well as a plastic hook for retrieving rope.

Read more: NRS NFPA Rescue Throw Bag review (1)

World Famous 50' Throw Rope Bag

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

This throw bag with floating rope is a good, affordable version of an essential piece of paddling safety gear. After seven years of use, the bag is faded from the sun but the rope is still in good shape. Guides will prefer a high-performance brand for hard use, but recreational paddlers will find this model adequate.

Reasons to Buy

  • Acceptable quality for recreational use
  • Affordable, but not flimsy
  • Useful for having fun doing safety practice
  • After seven years, bag is worth mending a seam and using

Reasons to Avoid

  • Professional guides will prefer a high-performance brand for hard use
  • No instructions printed on bag for beginners to read
  • Made overseas, not locally

Every paddler needs a throw bag of floating rope. This throw bag from World Famous is affordable enough to put one in every kayak, or two in every canoe or double kayak. It meets safety regulations in Canada for 50 feet/15 metres of rope in every small boat. I liked using this throw bag for safety practise! My friends and I practised tying the end of rope to our kayak deck lines. While it's hard to throw the end of a rope, if we let out the rope then scoop a bit of water into the bag we find it MUCH easier to throw the bag which pulls the rope along nicely.

Read more: World Famous 50' Throw Rope Bag review (1)

More Reviews of Throw Bags and Ropes

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