The best and worst slackline tensioning systems
One of the most asked questions that we get is “Should I get a ratchet kit or a primitive kit?” and the truth is there is no right or wrong answer.
We will compare the various tensioning systems and give you all the pros and cons of each. You can ultimately decide which slackline tensioning method works best for you.
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Ratchet slackline tensioning system
We will start with the ratchet tensioning system because it is by far the most popular slackline tensioning system out there. It is mostly only used with 50mm / 2 inch wide slackline webbings but with some spacers it is possible to use it with 25mm / 1 inch wide webbings.
This is the tensioning system that comes with the Active Slackline kit that we sell and is the best choice for beginners and kids.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Quick to set up
- You can easily get high tension on a slackline
- Works with 50mm webbings
- Cheaper to replace than most other systems
Cons
- Adapter spacers necessary for 25mm/ 1 inch webbing
- Can be tricky to de-tension
- Limited to about 30m slacklines
- Heavy
- Bulky
How to set up a ratchet slackline
Primitive slackline tensioning system
This is the tensioning system that we use with the lightweight slackline kit. The Primitive slackline tensioning system is the original method that was created for slacklining. It is still used and loved by many for its portability and low price.
It is also known as the Ellington slackline tensioning system.
Pros
- Low cost tensioning system
- Uses easily available parts
- Doesn’t require sewn loops or special weblocks
- Cheap to replace parts
- Can be used with a multiplier
Cons
- Only for slacklines up to 50m
- Requires a multiplier over 20m
- Damages webbing over time
- Lower breaking strength than other methods
How to set up a Primitive / Ellington slackline
Pulley slackline tensioning system
Pulleys can be used for both 25mm/1 inch webbings as well as 50mm/2 inch webbings. They are able to achieve incredibly high forces for tricklining as well as longlining with the downside of being heavy and expensive.
We only recommend pulleys for experienced slackliners, highliners and trickliners or professionals trying to rig extremely long lines.
Parts needed
- Weblock
- Pulley system
- Rope
- Grigri / Mad Rock Lifegurad / Edelrid Eddy
- Multiplier Pulley
- Linegrip (to softpoint)
- Shackles
- Ascender / Shunt / Prusik
Pros
- Can achieve incredibly high tension
- Can be used with any size webbing
- Can tension”any” length slackline
- Can be made with off the shelf parts from climbing manufacturers
Cons
- Pulleys systems require a lot of additional gear
- Pulley systems require rope and end up being big and bulky
- Pulley systems are heavy
- Risk of surpassing safe working loads of gear if you are not very experienced
- Requires extra gear to remove it from the slackline set up
- Complicated to use
- Pulley systems are expensive
How to set up a pulley slackline
Buckingham slackline tensioning system
The Buckingham slackline tensioning system is the most popular amongst intermediate and professional slackliners.
It does not require a lot of additional gear and is very lightweight and portable.
We recommend this tensioning system for anyone planning to keep slacklining for a while or wants to start longlining or highlining.
Parts needed
- Weblock
- Hangover / Rollex
- Linegrip / Slackline wafer / slackline snatch
- Soft Release
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Can tension”any” length slackline
- Only requires 3 small parts
- Dual purpose parts for highlining
- Really easy to use
Cons
- More expensive than other methods
- Requires a hangover or Rollex
- Requires a linegrip
- Requires extra parts to rig lines over 50m
- Requires slow release in system
How to set up a slackline with the Buckingham method
Rodeoline no tension system
This is by far the easiest method to rig a slackline and only requires one Locking Pin or one linelock or one weblock.
You simply connect your slackline directly to your anchor with a linelock or weblock so that it doesn’t touch the ground and you’re ready to start slacklining.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Very compact
- No tension required
- Very quick setup
- Very cheap
- Really easy to use
Cons
- Can be tricky to get the tension just right
- Only for short lines
- Requires very high anchors
- Only works with 25mm /1 inch slackline webbings