Buyer's Guide
Climbing Slings, Rope & Tape Slings Buyer's Guide
Climbing slings are essential for anchor building, redirects and equipment organisation in professional arborist climbing systems. This guide covers rope vs tape slings, Dyneema vs nylon construction, EN 566 certification and the practical applications of slings in daily tree surgery work.
Rope Slings vs Tape Slings
Rope slings are constructed from round tubular or hollow braid rope - more resistant to abrasion from rough bark surfaces and better suited to wrapping around irregular stems and branches. Tape slings (also called webbing slings or flat slings) use a flat textile weave - lighter, more compact when not in use, and easier to handle in cold conditions. Both types are available in sewn eye-to-eye configurations in standard lengths from 60cm to 240cm. For anchor building around rough-barked trees, rope slings are generally preferred; tape slings are preferred for hardware connections and redirects where a flat, compact profile is advantageous.
Dyneema vs Nylon Climbing Slings
Dyneema (also known as HMPE or Spectra) slings offer extremely high strength-to-weight ratio and very low stretch - making them ideal for applications where a stiff, non-elastic connection is needed and where weight is critical. Nylon slings are heavier but have significant elasticity, absorbing shock loads gradually rather than transmitting them abruptly. For climbing anchor building, nylon slings are generally preferred because their elasticity provides a degree of dynamic load management. For rigging redirects where minimal stretch is required, Dyneema slings are the better choice. Gustharts stocks both materials from DMM, Teufelberger and Courant.
EN 566 - The Climbing Sling Standard
EN 566 is the European standard for textile slings used in mountaineering and climbing equipment, specifying minimum breaking strength, elongation limits and testing methodology. All climbing slings at Gustharts carry EN 566 certification. The standard requires a minimum breaking strength of 22kN for a closed loop sling. Slings used in arborist climbing systems must be inspected regularly and retired immediately if they show cuts, abrasion, discolouration, chemical contamination or stitching damage. Never use an uncertified sling as a load-bearing component in a climbing or rigging system.
How Arborists Use Climbing Slings
Anchor building: a sling wrapped around a stem or branch creates a redundant anchor point for a climbing rope without damaging the bark surface. Redirects: a short sling clipped to a branch redirects the climbing rope to improve the climber's working position. Equipment organisation: short slings on tool loops or gear loops keep carabiners, pulleys and accessories organised at height. Friction saver attachment: some arborists use short slings to improve the position of a friction saver in an irregular crotch. In all applications, the sling must be rated to the anticipated load and inspected before each use.
