Using Slackline Webbing for Anchors?

Is it safe to use webbing used for a slackline to extend a toprope anchor? I didn't think there would be anything wrong with it as long as the webbing is not damaged but am interested in what anyone else has to say. Thanks!

Keyan P wrote:Is it safe to use webbing used for a slackline to extend a toprope anchor? I didn't think there would be anything wrong with it as long as the webbing is not damaged but am interested in what anyone else has to say. Thanks!

Webbing is cheap, and I have ripped 1" tubular while slacklining multiple times. I've never ripped through climbing anchor webbing.

The load a slackline sees is much much higher than what you'll generate on a TR anchor, upwards of 1000lbs of tension is easily possible, I'd bet you could get it up to 2000lbs with a little more effort. Tensile strength is around 4000lbs for brand new un-knotted 1" webbing. I wouldn't want to put something that's been stressed that much in my life support system when new webbing's only around $0.30 a foot.

Like Danny said webbing is cheap and your life is worth more. I would never use it for climbing once you have slack lined on it.

Same goes for the 'biners used in slacklines too. Keep those separate from your climbing gear.

Matt N wrote:Same goes for the 'biners used in slacklines too. Keep those separate from your climbing gear.

So I can see the webbing, but the biners? Really?

Never mix your climbing stuff with slackline stuff. It's just not worth it.
This is your life we are talking about.

I slacklined on a few biners but only one time, too late to switch them back to my climbing rack?

Matt N wrote:Same goes for the 'biners used in slacklines too. Keep those separate from your climbing gear.

That sounds pretty absurd to me. On what do you base that suggestion?

Sure, it's easier to generate forces in slackline setups that approach the failure point of biners than in climbing, but unless you actually damage the biner it shouldn't be an issue. Biners don't become appreciably weaker just from being loaded to a couple thousand pounds. Obviously if the biner is deformed, cracked, doesn't open properly, or shows any other signs of damage it should be retired; but if not I see nothing wrong with using the same biner for climbing and slacklining.

I don't see much of an issue with webbing either, assuming it's ordinary climbing webbing used in the slackline setup. As long as the webbing isn't physically damaged (abraded, nicked, sharply kinked, etc) by the slackline setup, I don't see any reason why it couldn't be used for climbing provided it's regularly inspected. Weakening due to repeated stress might be more of a concern with webbing, but I'd want to see some test data before I get too worried about it. That said, webbing is so dirt cheap I would probably keep them separate just for the sake of convenience.

Jim, I used 30ft of webbing to help my buddy get his truck out of the ditch. I've also slacklined off that piece of webbing. I finally cut it up a couple months ago and turned it into gear slings after using it in my aid setup for a while and yes we did use it for a TR anchor the same day we got his truck stuck. How's that for testing?

Yeah webbing is cheap and it's burly as all hell as long as you don't tension it over a sharp edge.

Of course you can reuse the webbing for climbing. As long as you didn't leave it out all winter under tension. If you are worried about those biners developing "stress fractures" you should send them to me for further testing.

After slacklining for about 6 months, some of the gates on my biners get stuck open and I wouldn't use them on my rack, although they're fine for the chalkbag, carrying shoes, water, etc.

I'd say my life's worth at least $40, although the tires on my car are so bald my mechanic is urging me to get new ones before the steel starts showing, so I guess it falls somewhere under the $300 range.