Sling (climbing equipment)

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A sling is an item of climbing equipment consisting of a tied or sewn loop of webbing that can be wrapped around sections of rock, hitched (tied) to other pieces of equipment or even tied directly to a tensioned line using a special prussik knot, for anchor extension or equalisation. A gear sling is used to organise or carry equipment, and slings are also a component of quickdraws. Usually sold in lengths of 10 cm, 30 cm, 60 cm, 120 cm or 400 cm at either 10 mm or 12 mm widths, slings have a breaking strength of around 22kn.

In recent years, slings have started making use of dyneema. It has limited applications however as this material is not dynamic (does not stretch) and therefore a fall on it involves considerable shock loading of the other pieces of equipment and the climber himself. It is however much lighter and finer than the alternatives (nylon) and therefore very popular.

Short slings are also called runners.