How to Tie a Bowline
Ask anyone who grew up on the water or around boats, and even if they can’t explain how to tie a bowline, they can almost certainly do it with their eyes closed. Besides being a very useful boating knot, the bowline is excellent for climbers to tie in with and for limitless other purposes. The beauty of the bowline is its simplicity in tying and untying, along with its robust and non-slip loop. Once you know how to tie a bowline, you will find yourself using it all the time.
Here are the fast facts you need to know to properly tie and use a bowline. The standard of proficiency for tying a bowline is as follows: In any environment, given a sling rope while blindfolded (or in complete darkness), tie a bowline with an overhand security knot within 30 seconds or less, ensuring that the pigtail is no shorter than a fist and no longer than a fist with thumb extended (4-6 inches).
Bowline Use
The bowline is a Class 2 (anchor) knot that is used for creating a non-slip loop.
Bowline Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages
- Easy to tie
- Requires less rope than Figure 8 to construct
- The loop size is easily adjustable
Disadvantages
- Weakens rope strength 5-10% more than a Figure 8
- Can be difficult to untie if heavily loaded
- Considerably weaker with the pigtail on the outside of the loop
Bowline Animation
Adding the “Yosemite Finish” to a Bowline
Tying a Bowline Step-by-Step Breakdown
Step 1
Start with a loop in the rope
Step 2
Pass the running end through the loop
Step 3
Wrap the running end around the rope just before the loop
Step 4
Pass the running end back through the loop
Step 5
Set and dress the bowline. If this knot/rope will not be used in a life safety system, you can stop here.
Step 6a (Adding Overhand)
If the rope will be used as part of a life safety system, add an overhand which incorporates the loop.
Step 6b (Yosemite Finish)
As an alternative to the overhand security knot, you may choose to use the “Yosemite Finish” which keeps the keeps the pigtail out of the way for the leader while lead climbing, and makes the knot much easier to untie if it is shock loaded.
Step 7b (Yosemite Finish)
Retrace the original loop.
Step 8b (Yosemite Finish)
Pass the running end back through the original loop.
Step 9b (Yosemite Finish)
Set and dress the Bowline with Yosemite Finish.
Step 9b (reverse view)
View of the other side of a set and dressed Bowline with a Yosemite finish.
Other Class 2 (Anchor) Knots to Explore
- Figure 8 (Technically, a class 3 (middle of the rope) knot, but it may be tied at the end.
- Round Turn & 2 half hitches
- Round Turn & a bowline
- Clove Hitch
- Double Loop Bowline
Thanks for reading!
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Owen Wood
Founder, Guardian Angel Tactical
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