There are a few core pieces of equipment used in Slacklining, and these can be added to, updated and improved as you start to develop your skills. Some pieces of kit are only required for certain disciplines and others are required for all of them. Here we explain the main bits of equipment used in the sport. You don’t need to go out and buy all of this kit in one go, just decide what is required for the discipline you intend to practice.

Webbing

Webbing is essential in all disciplines, the webbing is the Slackline.
Different widths, weaves and materials are used in the different disciplines of Slacklining.

Ratchets

Ratchets are useful for being able to quickly setup a line between trees or other stable fixtures and they are less complex to setup and use than pulleys. However, even when using two, at time it can be difficult to get a good tension in the line; a lot of physical strength is required and ratchets do have a tendency to degrade with usage over time. The teeth eventually get eroded making it hard to get them to lock securely when the line is under tension. Most Slackliners accept that ratchets won’t last forever and they will have to be replaced. The standard ratchet that comes with most slackline kits is the 2500Kn type, these are usually sufficient to get enough tension for a standard walking slackline and also a trickline (usually using two ratchets simultaneously).

A-Frames

A-Frames are required if there are no suitable tree’s or other stable points to rig your line to.
Generally you will need to couple an A frame with a secure fixing point in the ground
such as ground anchors.
A dead mans anchor can be a good solution to fix the line securely, or we have even seen a car wheel driven over the loose end of the line used with successfully.

Slackline Rack

With more of a tendency to be used indoors, the Slackline Rack is perfect for situations where you are short on space and/or have no stable fixing points and are unable to create stable ground anchors so that A-Frames can be used.

The Slackline rack is a totally independent and self supporting frame so there is no need for any other fixing equipment. 3 to 4 metres is a common length for these racks so easily usable in a gym, bedroom, garage or other inside space. As the line is set very low when used on the Slackline Rack, it is not suitable for dynamic tricklining, however it can be perfect for walking practice and even some static tricks.

Soft Release

Also known as a slow release this is a really crucial piece of equipment to be used whenever you have a line with a high level of tension such as a trickline. A soft release strap allows you to carefully and slowly de-tension the line therefore minimising the potential for damage to the line, the ratchets or yourself.

Tree Protectors

If you are using trees as your anchor points then tree protection is essential. The protectors stop the line from cutting into the tree bark and damaging or even killing the tree.