Dyneema slings

I've been doing my homework to add some alpine draws to my harness. I never realized until now just how much difference there is between each brand's Dyneema sling. Does anyone have a preference? So far, I feel like Mammut has the highest quality sling. At only 8mm it is supple and light, with a super nice fingertrap under the bartack to make it smooth. Both the size and fingertrap should weaken the sling, but they match other major brands rating at 22Kn.
BD 10mm Dynex is not as small and the stitching point has two jagged tips that stick out. I don't love it, but I did buy ONE of them so I can see if my assumption holds up over time and use.

There are a lot of brands out there, so I'm just curious what everyone else thinks? What's your favorite low-weight alpine sling?

(Side note: Does anyone know where I can buy that Dyneema webbing in bulk? I'd love to get a hold of some on a spool for less than $2/foot, but I can't find anyone who sells it retail.)

I like my Camp and Metolius dynema slings. the Metolius ones seem like they will hold up beer than a lot of the thinner slings out there. I have encountered dynema webbing in bulk only while cleaning tat off of a popular rappel. It is branded 'Bull Line", googling that found this. 

https://www.duraline.com/accessories/bull-line-pull-tape/

Wild Country 400cm  These dyneema slings have 26 feet of webbing in them (400cm doubled).  Works if you don't need longer lengths than this.  That comes out to 27 cents/foot!  You do have to pay shipping but it's not bad if you buy a number of them at a time.  I have used them for lots of projects.  I wouldn't wait too long to purchase.  They used to have 3 colors but are down to one since these are no longer produced.

I have a lot of the mammut slings. I have also used the bd ones extensively. My 2c is that the mammut ones feel like the 'top of the line' for the reasons you mentioned, but once the slings are worn-in and become supple, they all handle and rack pretty much identically. I have not noticed a difference in durability at all.

I also just got some of these edelweiss ones. (The relative nature of perception is interesting because now the mammut ones feel downright beefy!) I haven't used them for long and so can't comment on the durability at all, but they seem well made and don't show any sort of premature wear that makes me feel concerned about their longterm durability.

Bull tape / Mule tape is polyester typically or rarely kevlar. In either case with an extra slick dry or waxy lube coating. Not exactly ideal for climbing use.

Regular dyneema webbing like in mammut and BD slings you are unlikely to find available outside of large orders to specialty manufacturers who don't usually sell in small amounts to individuals. It is too slick to knot into slings well, and knots that hold decrease the strength too much. It must be sewn... and usually that means that only climbing gear manufacturers are buying it.

Edelrid Tech Tape is sold by the spool online in a few spots. IIRC because it actually retains a decent amount of strength with knotting. The old Yates site listed something like 14mm Dyneema/nylon blend webbing available by the foot, but they may not sell it either now. You would have to do your research on if the webbing you eventually find maintains enough strength with knotting for your use and comfort.

We have thought about carrying tech web on the spool to sell by the foot, but pretty much there is no demand.

In the sailing world a lot of people make their own slings and such by splicing hollow braid dyneema ropes. Its not technically hard, but the very easy to separate weave is not really ideal for climbing, and I obviously can't recommend it.

Like what has been said above, Mammut Contact slings and DMM 8mm slings are my preference. The are supple from the get go, and don't take up too much room on your gear loops. They are practically identical, except for color.

Compared to what we ALL had to use BITD, tied 1" webbing, I feel pretty lucky to have any Dyneema, but the DMM and Mammut are top of the line IMO.

 

Xan Calonne wrote: I have a lot of the mammut slings. I have also used the bd ones extensively. My 2c is that the mammut ones feel like the 'top of the line' for the reasons you mentioned, but once the slings are worn-in and become supple, they all handle and rack pretty much identically. I have not noticed a difference in durability at all.

I also just got some of these edelweiss ones. (The relative nature of perception is interesting because now the mammut ones feel downright beefy!) I haven't used them for long and so can't comment on the durability at all, but they seem well made and don't show any sort of premature wear that makes me feel concerned about their longterm durability.

I bought some of those 7mm ones when 8mm Mammut were hard to find a while back. Seem to be holding up fine. The only skinny slings I have had bad luck with are Petzl. 

Mammut Contact slings are my preferred though I've see anecdotal claims that some slings don't match the advertised weight. I tend to really like BD dyneema slings as well. I do keep one Bluewater double length sling on multipitch for building anchors (since its 27kN rating). 

A sling is a sling they're all made of dyneema, they're all basically disposable it's not worth the money buying expensive or lighter slings, buy what ever is on offer. Over a rack of 10 alpine draws the difference between edelrid's 8mm and 11mm is the weight of a single locker. 

that guy named seb wrote: A sling is a sling they're all made of dyneema, they're all basically disposable it's not worth the money buying expensive or lighter slings, buy what ever is on offer. Over a rack of 10 alpine draws the difference between edelrid's 8mm and 11mm is the weight of a single locker. 

I think it comes down more to preference than weight or cost, at least for me. I like the way the DMM/Mammut 8mm sling handle, so that's what I get...the cost differential to me is insignificant.