How to Set Up a Slackline – Step-by-Step Guide with Download

How to Set Up a Slackline – Step-by-Step Guide

A slackline is under enormous tension – that is what makes it exciting, but it also requires careful setup. Read this guide before setting up for the first time and follow the safety instructions.

Important safety instructions

⚠️ Always use tree protection – never set up without it!
⚠️ Only use healthy trees with a diameter of at least 30 cm
⚠️ Only one person on the slackline at a time
⚠️ Spectators must keep a distance of at least 2.5 m
⚠️ Never extend the ratchet lever – risk of injury!
⚠️ Anchor points must have a holding force of at least 1,000 kg
⚠️ Level, soft ground – no roots or stones in the landing area

Setup 1 – With a ratchet (standard set)

The ratchet is the simplest and most common method – ideal for beginners and lines up to approx. 25 m.

Step 1 – Set up anchor point 1

  1. Place the tree protection around the tree and close it with the Velcro
  2. Place the round sling around the tree and tree protection – wrap several times
  3. Pass the shackle through the loops of the round sling and close it
  4. Attach the linelocker

Step 2 – Set up anchor point 2

  1. Attach tree protection to the second tree
  2. Place the round sling around the second tree
  3. Insert the shackle
  4. Attach the ratchet

Step 3 – Thread the webbing

  1. Thread the slackline webbing through the slotted shaft of the ratchet
  2. Make sure the webbing does not run over the spacers
  3. Pull the webbing tight and thread it through the linelocker at the first anchor point

Step 4 – Tension

  1. Move the ratchet lever up and down until the desired tension is reached
  2. Use hand strength only – never use extensions on the lever!
  3. Check in the middle of the line: the webbing should not touch the ground

Step 5 – Release

Caution: Never simply let go of the ratchet lever! The tension must be released in a controlled way:

  1. Operate the ratchet's release lever
  2. Let the webbing out slowly and in a controlled way
  3. Dismantle all parts in reverse order

👉 Download the ratchet setup guide as PDF (German):
Slackline manual ratchet (PDF)

Setup 2 – With the Ellington webbing pulley (Nano system)

The Ellington is the system of choice for medium lines of 25–50 m. More tension, gentler release – but a little more effort to set up.

Step 1 – Set up anchor points as with the ratchet

Attach tree protection, round slings and shackles to both trees as described above.

Step 2 – Thread the linelocker and set up the anchor webbing

  1. Thread the linelocker correctly and attach it to the first anchor point
  2. Attach the anchor webbing to the second anchor point – make sure it sits firmly

Step 3 – Insert the tensioning webbing

  1. Insert the tensioning webbing for Ellington with its double loops correctly into the Ellington
  2. Note the side marking on the webbing – it prevents incorrect threading

Step 4 – Tension

  1. Pull the Ellington step by step
  2. Slackline length 25–30 m: distance linelocker/anchor point approx. 1.6 m
  3. Slackline length up to 45 m: distance max. 3 m

Step 5 – Release

⚠️ Take special care! When releasing the anchor webbing, always keep one hand on it – never let go completely! Releasing too quickly generates frictional heat and can damage the webbing.

👉 Download the Ellington/Nano setup guide as PDF (German):
Slackline Nano manual (PDF)

Setup 3 – Longline setup (Pure system)

For lines over 50 m, a rope pulley with a rope clamp is used. This is an advanced setup – for experienced slackliners only!

Special features:

  • Two anchor points needed on the pulley side – one for the linelocker, one for the pulley anchor
  • Twisted shackle at the top of the first anchor point
  • Rope clamp (e.g. Roll n Lock) as progress capture
  • After the first tensioning rounds the tension drops – repeat the process several times

👉 Download the Longline/Pure setup guide as PDF (German):
Slackline Longline Pure manual (PDF)

All downloads at a glance

Guide Download
Setup with ratchet Download PDF
Setup with Ellington/Nano Download PDF
Longline/Pure setup Download PDF

All PDF manuals are also available on our instruction manuals page.

Video guide

It's even easier with our setup video:

👉 How to set up a slackline – video on YouTube

👉 Sigma Impact Set – everything included
👉 Long-handle ratchet
👉 Tensioning webbing for Ellington
👉 Tree Protection "Plus"
👉 All tensioning systems

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