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Rabbit runner questions
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Hi. I'm curious about these "rabbit runner" sling designs. Similar options from Metolius, Black diiamond, and Mammut linked below. https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/rabbit_runner_slings.html https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/13mm-dynex-rabbit-runner/ https://www.mammut.com/ch/de/products/2040-02390/alpine-trad-sling So, how are folks using these? What are the advantages/dissadvantages compared to a "normal" double sling with carabiner? Positives: Saves some weight. Carrying them around the shoulder and un-clipping might be slightly easier than with a standard sling. Threading through small holes/apertures might be easier. Negatives: Not as versatile to incorporate into anchors. Not as versatile to sling large features. Possible harder to rack/carry with not around shoulder. What am I missing? Are there some uses these were specifically designed for? Thanks. |
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I have a few rabbit runner quickdraws from the Czech manufacturer Ocun. These: https://www.ocun.com/product/kestrel-qd-st-sling-dyn-123 I now prefer them to my standard alpine draws, which I will replace one by one. I like that I can't drop the rope-side carabiner while extending the dogbone and there's almost half the material for the same length quickdraw. I like that I can girth or basket hitch trees, thread and flakes. I believe this type of draw should cross load less compared to an alpine draw. I can use it to build a south Tirolean anchors and find them more useful for anchor building in general. It's basically an eye-to-eye sling. The good ones have eyes of different sizes. I know that a further European manufacturer, AustriaAlpin, has also released an alpine eye-to-eye sling. To rack, just cope how Ocun do it. Some more ideas here: |
Bruno Schull wrote: The reasons in the upthread provided link are why I like/use rabbit runners. A positive for me is I find they're more versatile to sling large features. Especially as I can kinda toss one around a large diameter tree or rock at twice the length of a shoulder length sling. I like them for anchor slings. Easy to clip to a set of bolts or fixed (or placed) anchors and make a quick master point, add a locker, and voila. They make a nice super long extension for a piece on a long traverse. I don't carry more than one or two, usually. But, I find I use them as much or more than shoulder length slings. Maybe not recommended, but, I also have used them as a quick valdotain (aka VT or french braid). Makes passing a knot on rappel a snap. Anyhow...pretty handy rigs to carry. I had an old Forrest one (long retired) so have been using a version of these for many years. Used to tied them in cord too. But, the sewn ones are super nice. |
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The other advantages withstanding this design does not save weight. A standard loop sling loading both strands can be half as thick as a single strand rabbit runner for the same strength. Comparing rabbit runners to thin Dynema slings from the same brand confirms it. Brand --------------- Rabbit ---------------- Standard Metolius ----------- 110cm 57g ------- 120cm 45g Black Diamond - 110cm 35g ------ 120cm 39g Mammut ----------- 120cm 31g ------- 120cm 28g |
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@Webfoot--yes, to be honest, I remain skeptical. I don't feel like there's anything I can do with a rabbit runner that I can't with my standard 120 cm Dyneema slings, which are marginally lighter. If you replace single slings with rabbit runners, your gain versatality, but it is heaver. Another factor is that I don't really want to factor another decision into gear placements: place some gear, clip with single or double sling, keep climbing. Simple. I was close to buying...but I think I'll wait for now. Still happy to be convinced otherwise, however! |
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I got one because I though it was nifty and it is don’t get me wrong. But after only using it twice to sling trees while ice climbing, my rabbit runner’s new purpose is to be a storage sling for my quickdraws. |
