This improves on standard rope ladder in several ways I’ll explain. Great ladder – but!The manual says that once the ladder is deployed it cannot be used again. I say that’s hogwash! For younger kids there is a lot of complexity to getting this ladder out the window (even getting the screen busted out or cut – which we didn’t practice) is hard.The design is excellent – but the hooks pivot/bend in them middle AND swivel – and the little feet on the back of the aluminum treads catch the window frame. It takes PRACTICE to know what you’re doing! I had my 7 year old do it 3 times, and got down to 45 seconds to deployment (not counting clearing the dresser), and my 5 year old (strong and confident and smart) took a great deal of practice and teaching and on his third try got it down to 1min. It’s no joke, PLEASE practice with this thing. I can imagine children failing to deploy this, or losing the whole thing put the window while trying. (even if you never use it, it’s good mindset and activity for the family. It took an hour.)The manual says it is single-use because the rope is folded in between the treads in a certain way. It’s not magic or hard. It’s not easy either, but any adult can put it away properly after use.First we explained deployment and circumstances of when we would use the ladder. (probably never will, but there’s only 1 exit from their roon, of course.) then we had them practice climbing UP to their room. This was a hoot, and all the eligible kids participated – but rope ladders are pretty tricky until you get the hang of it. HIGHLY recommended you have kids do this before it’s the real thing. One of the boys was really intimidated and moving his body wrong – he got tired and wanted to quit. We stuck to it, they got it, then it was fun. Really glad there wasn’t a fire. At the moment ;).I got this because the previous ladder was round fiberglass steps. The fiberglass gives you slivers, the steps SPUN under your feet, round steps lay flat against the house and making it very difficult to get a purchase with your feet. Not to mention there was no anchor – so I had a large dowel through the eyes at the top of the ladder. It worked, but not like this ladder.This has hooks inside that hold very well, and on the outside that hold the ladder away from the house (key factor), and act like pool ladder handles. The treads and rope are light, and they have good structure for the foot and little braces that hold the tread away from the house. This is key!Ladder held 200 pounds just fine. (rated for 1000 – it will hold you.) It swings less than the other ladder, but the treads can tilt.Climbing tips: Keep your weight (esp your butt) near the ladder, and use legs to push rather than arms to pull. It feels safe to get your head over your hands, but reach hands up and holding/pulling above your head – it really helps keep your weight near the ladder. Keep your toes up against the building and that keeps you solid and steady.Deployment tips: practice! These hooks and ladder are FIDDLY to get out the window. Get the steps out the window, then get the hooks established (outside/red ones first). For kids, DON’T shove it all the way out! First pull the velcro deployment tab. They CAN reach it, but it’s far down there and once the hooks are in place I don’t think an adult could reach it.If this helps, please click that helpful button.