Current view up BorrowdaleClick for more Lakes Weather
Underestimated by many climbers, slings are essential for thread, spike and tree placements and for use as long extenders in situations where short ones might cause excessive drag, the rope to jam or gear to lift out.
Slings come in three main lengths, 60cm, 120cm and 240cm. The size is the length of the sling, not its circumference.
60cm (Short Sling): Commonly used by climbers for spike runners and long extensions, this sling will go round your shoulders once. We would suggest carrying at least two.
120cm (Long Sling): Commonly used by climbers for spike runners, extra-long extensions, threads and tree and flake belays, this sling will go round your shoulders twice. We would suggest carrying at least two.
240cm (Extra-Long Sling): Ideal for rapidly fixing huge belays (eg trees and large boulders) and mainly used by group intructors and winter climbers. They will go round your shoulders four times but are more commonly tied in a knot and clipped to the back of your harness.
Materials used are generally either Nylon (heavier but cheaper and harder wearing) or Dyneema (finer but slightly dearer and more prone to wear) - breaking strains are the same or similar for both types. Slings lose a lot of their strength as they wear, and excessively furry or damaged slings should be retired. For slings that are likely to see a lot of use (eg outdoor ed. instruction) we recommend Nylon.
We recommend having slings of different colours if possible as it is easier to sort out tangles. For the pros and cons of various methods of carrying slings, see Andy Kirkpatrick's article on Sling Racking.
Special offer!!
Amazing ultralight full strength (22kN) Dyneema slings roughly 8mm wide. Brilliant for threads, high altitude mountaineering - will also lighten your rack and reduce the bulk around your neck or harness when carried.
From
Unusual sewn slings made of 5mm aramid cord. Because they are made from quite stiff cord, they are excellent for threads placements. Available in 60cm and 120cm.
Special offer!! From
Narrow dyneema slings in 11mm tape from DMM. These are much lighter than standard nylon slings, and quite a bit lighter than most manufacturer's 12mm slings. Perfect for threads and thin cracks behind flakes. Special offer! At least 10% off RRP!!
Made in Wild Country's new 10mm dyneema, the Cordelette is a huge 400cm long sling designed for use in equalising several belays to a central point by tying an overhand knot in the appropriate place.
Tech Web is a unique thin but very strong sling combining the low weight and high strength of Dyneema® with the abrasion resistance and knot stability of polyamide.
Nylon slings rated at over 2 Tonnes (22kN). They are ideal for situations where hard wear is expected. Special offer! At least 10% off RRP!!
We accept:
Needle Sports 56 Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JS, UK
Email: info@needlesports.com
Copyright © Needle Sports 2012. All rights reserved. | Site design by e-IGNiTION | E-commerce powered by Shopfront