Cowstails
Cowstails are the two short lengths of dynamic rope on your SRT kit that keep you attached to the rope. One short, one long. You clip them into your chest jammer or into anchors at the top of a pitch.
What to look for
Buy new cowstails from Starless River. Don't make them yourself. Don't use old climbing rope. Don't buy them secondhand. The amount of effort it takes to work out the right length, cut the rope, and seal the ends properly is not worth it when new ones cost less than a tenner.
9mm or 10mm dynamic rope, it doesn't matter which. Both work fine. The short cowstail gets a snap gate carabiner. The long cowstail gets a screw gate carabiner.
What to get first
You need an SRT harness first. Cowstails clip onto your harness D-ring.
Buying Guide
- Price (New): £
- Price (Used): £
- Buy online? Yes. Starless River sells them pre-made. That's where you should get them.
Buying Second Hand
No. Cowstails are probably the only piece of SRT equipment its never worth getting second hand. They cost about 6 pounds new. You trust your life to them every time you use them. New is the only sensible choice.
Where you can buy it
Starless River is the obvious choice. Inglesport and other caving shops also sell them.