Soft and flexible they offer a better handling though slightly more expensive alternative to laid equivalents. The core and cover of braided ropes are often of different materials allowing optimum properties for each. There is no reason why the core and cover should be of the same construction. The core for example may be a twisted design or constructed from a simple eight plait construction while the cover is a soft 16 plait design. In some instances there may even be three layers with an intermediate layer between the main load bearing core and the wear resisting outer cover.
Braided ropes offer an inherently lower stretch design, a softer feel and less friction.
With the exception of anchor warps and dock lines virtually all ropes used in modern sailing have some kind of braided cover while many also use a braided core. To achieve a good balance between flexibility, cost and ease of use virtually all manufacturers produce their covers in 16 plait form, using 16 individual yarns for the cover. In the smaller sizes the number of yarns is sometimes reduced to eight, and though more economic to produce and harder wearing these ropes are noticeably less flexible and harder on the hands. Where combinations of material are used, it is reasonable to expect that the properties of each will be reflected in the finished rope. The same core within a polyester cover will provide better abrasion resistance but at the expense of increased weight.