Slacklining, slackrope walking, slackwire walking, and tightrope walking are similar but distinct disciplines.
The equipment, gear, and accessories used in these extreme sports are the focus of this portion of our web guide since this is the shopping area. Additional information and resources can be found in the corresponding subcategory within our Sports & Recreation area.
All four disciplines involve walking or balancing on a tensioned line or rope. Each activity has its unique challenges and requires specialized equipment.
Slacklining refers to the practice of walking or balancing on a flat, tubular webbing that is tensioned between two anchor points. The line is dynamic and stretches under the walker's weight. Slackrope walking is similar to slacklining, but the line is a traditional untreated rope that is slack and dynamic, allowing for more swing and movement.
Slackwire walking involves balancing or walking on a wire that has some slack but not as much as the rope used in slackrope walking. The wire is typically made of metal.
Walking on a taut rope or wire tightly tensioned between two points, with minimal stretch or sway, is known as tightrope walking.
The core equipment in slacklining includes the slackline kit, which consists of the webbing, a ratchet system for tensioning, and anchor slings. Other equipment may include pads or wraps used to protect trees that might be used as anchor points from damage by the webbing, as well as line lockers to lock and secure the slackline webbing once it is tensioned. Crash pads are cushions placed under the slackline to reduce injury from falls.
While there may be others, popular manufacturers of slacklining equipment include Elephant Slacklines, Gibbon Slacklines, and Slackline Industries.
The core equipment for slackrope walking consists of the rope, which is typically made of natural fibers like hemp or synthetic materials like nylon. It needs to be thick and durable. Anchor points secure and sturdy points to fix the rope. Balancing poles are an optional accessory used for improved balance during the walk, and may be especially helpful while learning the required skills.
Ropes Direct and Samson Rope manufacture equipment used in slackrope walking.
The core equipment used in slackwire walking includes the slackline or webbing. This is the main piece of equipment, usually made of high-tenacity polyester or nylon tensioned between anchor points like trees or posts. A ratchet or tensioning system is used to tighten the slackline to the desired tension, and anchor slings are used to protect trees or other anchor points from damage due to the tension of the slackline.
Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) offers the SlackWire Slackline Kit, which is easy to set up and take down. It includes a reinforced loop sling and a tree-friendly setup. Another notable product is Weco Trail's Slackwire Slackline. Gearhead Outfitters also supplies the SlackWire Slackline.
Tightwire walking requires the tightwire itself, a steel wire or cable, generally 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter, tensioned between two supports. Support poles or A-frames hold the tightwire and can be portable for easy setup and transportation. A hand winch or mechanical system is used to achieve the required tension on the tightwire. A balance pole is a long, usually weighted pole that the walker holds to aid in maintaining balance.
Juggleart offers the Ariane Tightwire System, designed for beginners and professionals. It is easy to assemble and transport. They also provide various freestanding tightwire rigs. Funicular Circus specializes in custom tightwire installations that combine art and wire walking. Their installations are often set in natural landscapes.
These and other manufacturers or products used in slacklining, slackrope walking, slackwire walking, and tightrope walking, are appropriate topics for this category, along with websites offering product reviews or comparisons.
Recommended Resources
Founded in San Luis Obispo, California, in 2009, the company is currently based in Lyons, Colorado. Well-known in the slacklining community, the company offers a wide array of slackline gear, training modules, and resources. Its online catalog features primitive kits, longline kits, and kit accessories, along with several webbing options, webbing accessories, and send-in sewing, rollers, connectors, anchors, carabiners, hard and soft shackles, sleeves, tree protectors, and rings.
https://www.balancecommunity.com/
Based in the United Kingdom, the site offers information on slacklining, including safety considerations, benefits, and tricks. Photographs and videos are featured, along with some of the core pieces of equipment used in the sport, along with links to where they can be purchased on Amazon, using an Amazon associate agreement. Equipment for beginners are also featured, along with tips on getting started in the discipline of slacklining. Product reviews are also included.
https://slackline.co.uk/
Founded in 2014, the Boulder, Colorado-based company specializes in products for slacklining. They offer a range of high-quality slacklines and accessories designed for everyone from beginners to experts, with a product line that includes various kits like the Play Line Kit, Base Line Kit, Trick Line Kit, and even a Slackstand Pro, each designed with simplicity, functionality, and quality in mind. Besides its online product catalog, the site also features informational articles and a blog.
https://slacklineindustries.com/
Slacktivity is an international slackline brand and a spin-off company from ETH Zurich founded in 2009. a brief profile of the company is provided, along with manuals, shipping and returns policies, and FAQs. Headquartered in Portugal, the company support the disciplines of slacklining, including beginner and yoga slackline, rodeoline, longline, and highline. Its product listings include slackline sets, webbings, hangovers, ISA Highline certified gear, and outlet sales items.
https://slacktivity.com/
The Italian company is well-known for its high-quality slacklining products. The company offers a wide range of equipment for different types of slacklining activities, such as slacklines designed for beginners and casual users, tricklines aimed at advanced users wanting to perform dynamic tricks, longlines for long-distance slacklining, and highlines for high-altitude slacklining, as well as various webbings, ratchets, and accessories. Its products may be viewed on its online catalog.
https://spider-slacklines.com/en/
