The setup on which we walk on a highline is most of the time composed of :
- one or several rigged webbings
- a safety rope
In some other cases, there is not even a webbing, and ropes only, as Dean Potter does using 3 Amsteel ropes taped. Is it still slacklining or highlining ? This can be discussed but we will not speak here about it.
In this part, we will see different webbings and ropes available to setup a highline.
Which webbing and which backup(s) to choose?
It is technically possible to setup a highline with any kind of webbing. In some case, the weakest link on a highline is the webbing itself at its connexion (linelock for example). It is therefore very important to know the resistance of the used webbing, to get an idea about the safety factor of the highline. For more details, check Know the Safety Factor.
To choose your backup, we advise to use dynamic climbing ropes, or static ropes, certified as Safety Gear. The choice between static and dynamic, as well as the force to rig it have to be set according to the height under the highline.
On a very low highline (between 5m and 10m), a static rope even hardly rigged may not hold the slackliner in case of a backup fall (fall when the webbing breaks). In that case, we advise to use a second slackline as a backup and to rig it hard enough but less than the main slackline.
Under 5m we advise not to highline, or to be safe with a rope over you.
On “extreme” highline from 60m, using a second webbing as a backup reduces the overall weight of the system and helps walking, despite loosing the safety that a certified rope has.
In any case, you are responsible for your setup and the way you expose yourself.
Webbings:
It is possible to rig any length with any webbing. You are again responsible for your webbing choice. Descriptions of the webbings here are subjective and the advice we give may not be followed.
On a safe highline (empirically with a safety factor greater than 2), the first thing is to check that the webbing is strong enough for the setup.
You must check the overall state of the webbing, to detect any king of weaknesses.
Webbings on the Slack.fr shop here.
Tubular webbings
Those webbings are the origin of the sport. On a highline, we advise to rig it until 40m long. It is possible to rig longer with, but the webbing weight makes it harder to control and rigging it will be a nightmare because of stretching. Moreover, the breaking force of tubular webbings is rarely not more than 2T which means that you should not rig it too much.
Until 30m, rigged enough but safely, bouncing and stretching will allow a pleasant walk without feeling too much weight.
Flat webbings
The flat webbings brought 2 major advances compared to tubular ones, weight reduction and stretching loss. We advise to use it from 30m. Their resistance is generally around 3T or more, which is safer. Reversely, they are more fragile to friction as they simply have less fibers than tubular ones.
Before 30m, those static webbings may help to walk, but a fall even caught could be violent.
It is possible to find stronger flat webbings. The recent use of dyneema into flat webbings allows lighter and more static performances.
We advise to use those webbings from 50m. Dyneema is slippery. There is a real danger to use classic setup into bananas, or tu use a LineGrip, as it will slide under tension. Those webbings require different setups than classic polyester or nylon webbings.
Threaded tubular webbings
Those webbings are close to tubular ones. They have a 1-inch webbing inserted into the outside one. Attention, the 1-inch webbing must not be considered as a backup. Indeed under tension, this webbing holds the tension and breaks first.
We advise to use them until 30m on a highline.
Other webbings
We do not advise the use of tricklining webbings. Their structure, the way it is made does not guarantee their strength. Once again you are responsible if you choose anyway to rig with this kind of webbing.
Ropes :
Use a rope as a backup is a benefit because ropes are safety gears. A safety gear had passed tests that ensure its integrity when it is produced. The principle of a rope itself “sheath protecting fibers” makes ropes redundant and friction resistant. A webbing does not provide this.
Dynamic Ropes
Dynamic ropes are made for catching smoothly climbing falls. Their stretching can go up to 30%. Climbing related researches developed light and resistant ropes that can be used on a highline if there is enough height. Backupfall will be smooth, but the fall may be long and the slackliner will have trouble to climb back.
Static Ropes
Static Ropes are used for a lot of things, caving, canyoning or industrial climbing. We advise them on a highline, rigged enough so that the rope does not come over the webbing when it oscillates the most. Nevertheless, their weight can be a problem for highline longer than 50m.
Other Ropes
There are many other kind of ropes. The stronger and lighter ones being in Amsteel (Dyneema) used by a lot of US highliners. In Europe, it is less used, as it is expensive and knots are sliding, requiring to splice it. Anyway in a setup it is always a good thing to have it !
Conclusion :
Before doing your highlines, be sure to know the specifications of your webbings and ropes, the knots you can do, and those you must not do. Check the overall integrity by watching it and touching it (soft points or empty on ropes). And protect it from friction on your setup, as it will be your only links while falling.
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