Slackline

Slackline buying guide: How to choose a safe slackline for your facility

Slacklining has its roots in climbing. Free climbers in Yosemite National Park came up with the idea of balancing on barrier chains in bad weather or after a day on the rock. They soon realised this pastime was the perfect complement to their sport: balancing strengthened their muscles and improved concentration and body control. Before long, the first mountaineers were stretching their climbing harnesses between trees and posts – slacklining was born.

In Germany, slacklining has long since become more than just a trend. Training on the slackline is now a popular mass-participation activity and is widely used far beyond the climbing and fun-sport scene. In nurseries, school playgrounds, clubs and therapy centres, a slackline is now often part of the basic equipment.

Looking for a slackline for your organisation or facility? In this guide, we answer the most frequently asked questions about buying a slackline:

1. What equipment do you need for slacklining?
2. Where can you set up a slackline?
3. Which slackline for which area of use?
4. What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor slacklines?
5. What is the right slackline length?
6. How wide should a good slackline be?
7. How tight should you tension a slackline?
8. At what height should you set up a slackline?
9. What tensioning systems are available?
10. From what age can children learn to slackline?
11. How long does it take to learn slacklining?
12. What does slacklining train?
13. How safe is slacklining in schools?
14. What tree diameter is required?
15. How do slacklining and tree protection go together?

 

1. What equipment do you need for slacklining?

A classic slackline set consists of webbing and a tensioning device. The loop is placed around one tree, the line is led to a second tree and tensioned there using the tensioning system. You can vary the height, length and tightness.

 

2. Where can you set up a slackline?

In nature, strong trees are ideal. To avoid damaging the trunks, it’s important to use tree protectors and industrial slings. Tree protectors prevent the line from rubbing directly on the bark and causing damage. Correctly positioned round slings distribute the pressure evenly over a large area and reduce the load on the tree.

You can also set up a slackline without trees. If no trees are available, posts or ground anchors are an option. Indoors, such as in sports halls or therapy rooms, slacklines can be tensioned using special wall mounts or slackline frames.

 

3. Which slackline for which area of use?

Each slacklining style requires specific lines with particular characteristics. While beginners first practise simply standing on the slackline without support, more advanced users take steps forwards and backwards. They jump on, turn, and move from sitting to standing. Professionals don’t just balance – they surf, bounce and perform tricks. On extremely long or high slacklines, they set records. Slacklines are also used in therapy.

These types of slacklines are available:

 

 

4. What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor slacklines?

It’s not advisable to leave a slackline set up outdoors all year round, as weather conditions significantly affect the material. An indoor slackline is a great alternative. An indoor set-up includes a wall anchoring system or a frame.

 

5. What is the right slackline length?

The ideal length depends on who will be using the slackline and how. The longer the slackline, the greater its amplitude – in other words, it swings more, especially in the middle. This is harder for beginners to control. For novices, choose a line that is neither too long nor too short. The optimal set-up length for beginners is 5–8 m. We therefore recommend the following slackline lengths:

 

 

Our tip: If you’re unsure, remember: a slackline can always be set up shorter. Ambitious beginners can confidently choose a longer line.

  

6. How wide should a good slackline be?

Slacklines generally come in three widths:

 

 

  

7. How tight should you tension a slackline?

As a rule of thumb, you should tension the slackline only so much that it vibrates when you tap it lightly with your fingers.

8. At what height should you set up a slackline?

To start with, the line should be set up rather low than too high. We recommend a height of 50–70 cm. A good rule of thumb: the ideal height for beginners is roughly knee height.

9. What tensioning systems are available?

Slacklines are available with the so-called Ellington slackline system, a kind of pulley, or with a ratchet system. Because the “pulley” system is very light, it’s popular with climbers and experienced outdoor athletes. However, it is difficult to set up and not recommended for beginners. The ratchet system, on the other hand, is easy to use and allows quick tensioning – without any help.
 

10. From what age can children learn to slackline?

Slacklines can be used from primary school age. At this stage, children have the motor skills needed to balance on the narrow webbing. For children under 12, we recommend adult supervision.

 

11. How long does it take to learn slacklining?

If you’re standing on a slackline for the first time, it will wobble a lot. After just half an hour of practice, everything already feels noticeably calmer and smoother. Being physically fit is an advantage, but not essential. With a little courage and determination, you’ll soon see progress in your slackline training.

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>> Download 10 tips for learning to slackline

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12. What does slacklining train?

Slacklining combines highly effective full-body and mental training with plenty of fun. It strengthens muscles, tendons and ligaments, and improves concentration, coordination and proprioception. This makes the slackline a piece of equipment for everyone – young or old, recreational or performance athlete.

 

13. How safe is slacklining in schools?

Balancing on a slackline at jump height is also very popular in schools. It promotes coordination and balance, supports an upright posture and builds deep stabilising muscles. A slackline can be set up both in the sports hall and outdoors, provided secure anchor and attachment points such as frames, stands or ground anchors are used. Safety is ensured by certified slackline systems in accordance with DIN 79400.

Safety tips for schools:

• Use certified slackline systems in accordance with DIN 79400.
• Operate the hand ratchet using hand power only – do not use tools or extensions.
• Recommended height for pupils: 50 cm.
• Minimum lateral clearance: 3 m.
• Shock-absorbing surface (outdoor: grass or sand; indoor: gym mats).
• Cover metal parts with protective padding.
• Choose secure anchor points: ground anchors, stands, frames, healthy trees with a trunk circumference of at least 1 m. Always use tree protection and tree guards.
• The slackline should only be set up by the teacher.

  

14. What tree diameter is required?

The tree circumference for attaching a slackline should be at least 40 cm (source: German Olympic Sports Confederation). We recommend using trees with a diameter of around 1 m. Ideally, choose trees with thick bark such as oak, poplar or locust. Good to know: tree protectors and industrial slings provide additional protection for the trunk.

>> Download all recommendations from the German Olympic Sports Confederation

15. How do slacklining and tree protection go together?

Slacklining can be practised in a way that is compatible with nature and the environment if the following recommendations from the German Olympic Sports Confederation are observed:

Slacklining on trees:

• Use only healthy, firmly rooted trees with a trunk diameter of at least 40 cm at anchor height as fixed points.
• Always attach the slackline with trunk protection.
• Use tree slings that are as wide as possible (at least 5 cm). Suitable options include industrial slings with a working load of at least 1 t or special slackline tree slings made from polyester flat webbing.
• Avoid heavy point loads: the knot should point from the centre of the trunk towards the second anchor point.
• Be considerate of other people seeking recreation.

Slacklining on climbing crags:

• Use fixed points that can withstand the loads caused by tensioning the slackline.
• Due to the high forces involved, do not use (bolt) anchors from existing climbing routes as fixed points.
• Legal restrictions such as climbing bans on crags or access bans on rock tops (highlines) also apply to slackliners.

Whether for schools, leisure or club sports: investing in slacklines is worthwhile – they’re far more than just a passing trend. Find the right slacklines for your needs at Sport-Thieme.