If you’re new to slacklining this post will give you all the information you need to know about the different types of slacklines and disciplines before you try this amazing sport.
Firstly, slacklining is the act of walking on a tensioned piece of webbing between two anchor points. Unlike a tightrope walkers, slackliners predominantly walk on 25mm – 50mm wide nylon or polyester webbing.
The most common slackline categories are:
Tricklining – Trick slackline
This is a very dynamic form of slacklining that includes a lot of arial moves and bouncing on various parts our your body. This is the most commercialised discipline with internationally hosted competitions. These are the most tensioned slacklines and they can reach forces upwards of 14kn. This type of slackline is usually aimed advanced slackliners with a lot of experience.
NB: Always backup any metal components on a trickline!
Tension & Length: 20m – 25m at 8kN – 12kN
Anchors: Two beefy slings with a working load limit of at least 1 ton as well as a 12mm SS Bow Shackle or bomber bow shackle with 25mm opening.
Tensioning System: The most common tensioning system is a double ratchet system, with one ratchet on each side of the slackline. You can also use a pulley system and Trickline specific 50mm weblocks but this is a more expensive and bulkier set up usually only used by some professionals and during competitions.
Webbing: Tricklines are most commonly 50mm / 2″ wide but can be different diameters from 25mm to 50mm. Contrary to what most people believe tricklines are made out of a very specific low stretch polyester webbing which allows you to get them very tight and allows for some awesome dynamic moves.
Accessories and Extras: Backup ropes – to backup your ratchets and shackles to your anchor. These should be at least 10mm static or dynamic climbing certified ropes that can wrap around your tree and attach to your Metal components.
Slow release – This is installed between your anchor and your ratchet, it is a far safer method of detensioning your trickline and adds to the lifespan of your ratchet and webbing.
Yogalining – Yogaflow and exercise slackline
It’s in the name, this discipline involves doing slow controlled yoga inspired moves on a slackline. It can be a sport on it’s own or used in conjunction with a yoga, pilates or crossfit workout.
Tension & Length: 2m+ and at any tension that you feel comfortable with
Anchors: Usually just a sewn loop girth hitched on one side of the slackline, or a sewn loop attached to a sling with a bow shackle.
Tensioning System: Either an Ellington or ratchet system one on side of the slackline.
Webbing: A soft 50mm polyester webbing is generally the preferred webbing for yoga and workout slacklines. Although it can be done on 25mm webbings, they are generally more painful and can hurt your body while you are learning.
Accessories and Extras: Slackracks for indoor use. Slackframes to set up a line on your lawn without any trees. It is also advised to wear long thick socks or pants to protect your shins from “carpet burns” from the slackline.
Longlining – long slacklines
This is one of the more advanced slackline disciplines where the goal is to walk the longest slackline possible. Statistically this is by far the most dangerous form of slacklining according to the number of injuries. Longlines are generally set up in parks and due to the sag of the line the anchors are set up at a height anywhere from 2m + and also require quite a bit of tension to keep off the ground.
Tension & Length: There is no standard length for longlines but it is generally accepted that they have a walking distance of at least 30m with the longest lines being hundreds of meters.
Anchors: Two beefy slings with a working load limit of at least 1 ton as well as a 12mm SS Bow Shackle or bomber bow shackle with 25mm opening.
Tensioning System: Longlines can be tensioned with a Buckingham system or Pulleys
Webbing: For longlines you usually want a low to medium stretch 25mm / 1″ webbing made out of polyester. For “shorter” with pulleys you can get away with using a nylon webbing.
Accessories and Extras: If you’re using the Buckingham method you will need a slow release in the system, this will allow you to release your slackline when you’re done. Backups are also highly suggested for longlines that are under a lot of tension
Rodeolining – untensioned loose slackline
Rodeo lines are usually rigged higher than they are long and form a really loose “U” shape. The aim is to surf the line back and forth
Tension & Length: about 3m+ length with no tension
Anchors: Usually just a sewn loop girth hitched on one side of the slackline, or a sewn loop attached to a sling with a bow shackle / soft shackle.
Tensioning System: None and None! Jokes aside, rodeolines don’t have any tension in them so you can simply use a chainlink linelocker or unfinished 9 knot on one end to connect it to your anchor.
Webbing: Stretchy 25mm /1″ nylon webbings are the most common but any webbing will do!
Accessories and Extras: You can use a weblock or Ellington system to adjust the tension of the line easier.
Midlining / Highlining – Slacklines high enough that you will need a harness
For many people highlining is seen as the pinnacle of the sport, it is essentially a slackline that is set up anywhere higher than you could reasonably expect to survive if you were to fall from it.
Midlines are lines anywhere up to about 30m high while highlines are anything higher than that. They require a lot more skill to rig as well as a lot of slacklining experience.
Tension & Length: Generally 20m+ length. These days most highlines are rigged quite loose between 2kN – 5kN
Anchors: There are many different types of Highline anchors, everything from , slings, ropes, trad climbing gear to deadman anchors. For more info check out our article on Anchors.
Tensioning System: Buckingham method or Pulleys
Webbing: 20mm – 25mm, Nylon / Polyester or Various Hi-tech webbings
Accessories and Extras: Basically everything for longlining times two since you have a backup line that runs independently below your main line. You will also need a harness, leash, leash rings, soft release, tagline, line pulley, tape and various other accessories depending on where you’re rigging.
Surflining – semi-tensioned slackline with sway
This is very similar to Rodeo lining except you set your line up longer with a little bit of tension. The aim is to have just enough tension to still surf side to side while getting some active feedback from the webbing.
Tension & Length: 15m+ very low tension, just enough not to touch the ground
Anchors: High anchors at least 1,5m high. Usually just a sewn loop girth hitched on one side of the slackline, or a sewn loop attached to a sling with a bow shackle / soft shackle.
Tensioning System: Ratchet or Buckingham system
Webbing: 25mm – 50mm webbing, Nylon / Polyester
Accessories and Extras: You can use a slow release to make detensioning easier, the anchor can be set really high as you’ll be spending most of the time around the middle of the line
Types of slacklines Conclusion
There are so many different slackline disciplines and slackline types to choose from, it is ultimately up to you to find your favourite or simply enjoy them all. A great beginner line will be a 2″/50mm slackline like this complete kit available from Viper Slacklines that’s available from our online shop.