I know there is a lot of praise for synthetic rope and I can't speak for it personally because I have never used it. But I did work for a wrecker company for 5 years and never had a problem with steel cable breaking. I always got irritated when I got there to work and the previous driver had left the cable all rat nested up. I would have to reel it all off and re-spool it nice and neat. If you keep steel cable spooled up nice and neat it pulls out with ease. I know everyone knows this already but I guess I am just saying this because I personally do not have a problem with steel cable. I will go synthetic at some point but for cost reasons I will probably buy a winch with steel cable for now.