The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of outdoor gear

Slackline Industries Trick Line Review

A top quality stunt line with safety backups and basic tree protection.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Price:  $75 List | $39.99 at Amazon
Pros:  Dynamic webbing, safety backup line
Cons:  Short length
Manufacturer:   Slackline Industries
By Adam Paashaus ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 20, 2019
  • Share this article:
Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more
74
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 11
  • Ease of Set-Up - 20% 7
  • Versatility - 20% 6
  • Quality - 20% 8
  • Disassembly - 20% 8
  • Features - 20% 8

Our Verdict

The Slackline Industries Trick Line is a serious tool for the modern trick master. This kit has all you need to get started including tree padding that keeps the trees healthy, safety backups that assure the ratchet doesn't become a projectile, and a ratchet that does a good job of tensioning the line as well as keeping the webbing aligned in the drum which can lead to premature wear issues. This line is best suited for beginner to intermediate slackers who want to dabble in trick-lining as well as those just learning to walk. The only thing we would change would be to add another ratchet for more tension and about 5-10 feet of added length to open up more walking opportunities.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award 
Price $39.99 at Amazon$145 List$48.95 at Amazon$49.99 at Amazon$70.72 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
100
0
74
100
0
84
100
0
78
100
0
76
100
0
76
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Dynamic webbing, safety backup lineLightweight, lots of length options, gear is adaptable for progressionAttractive package, beginner friendlyInexpensive, long length, beginner friendlyEasy to set-up, challenging, long
Cons Short lengthMore complicated set-up than ratchet systemsRed dyeMinimal featuresNot great for beginners
Bottom Line A top quality stunt line with safety backups and basic tree protection.This model uses a traditional rigging technique to achieve a 1-inch line that will help you progress into more advanced slacklining disciplines like longlining and highlining.A great complete package that has all the features to get you walking the line.This affordable slackline is perfect for those wanting to start walking longer lines.This simple to set-up 1-inch line is great for your first foray into the art of longlining.
Rating Categories Trick Line Primitive Kit Zen Monkey Complete Kit Base Line Gibbon Flowline
Ease Of Set Up (20%)
10
0
7
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Versatility (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
10
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
8
Quality (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
Disassembly (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
7
Features (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
7
Specs Trick Line Primitive Kit Zen Monkey... Base Line Gibbon Flowline
Width 2 in 1 in 2 in 2 in 1 in
Features Safetly line, tree protection, ratchet cover Tree pro w/ loops, independent anchor slings, BC shackle, webbing specific carabiners, multiplier ring, BC line locker Overhead training line & ratchet, Arm Trainer, Tree protectors w/ loops, Cloth carry bag Tree pro, carry bag, ratchet cover Two rachet anchors
Time to Rig 5-10 minutes 10-15 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5-10 minutes
Tightening System Rachet Primitive Rachet Rachet Rachet
Anchor Length 8 ft 8.08 ft

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Slackline Industries Trickline comes with a 50 feet (42+8) of bouncy webbing, a ratchet for tensioning, two tree pads, and a safety backup system for the ratchets.

Performance Comparison


From dynamic jumps to static tricks this was a fun line to play on. However we didn't feel it was the best trickline out there. If you are serious about tricklining a two ratchet tensioning system is important.
From dynamic jumps to static tricks, this was a fun line to play on. However, we didn't feel it was the best trickline out there. If you are serious about tricklining, a two ratchet tensioning system is important.

Ease of Set-up


As with other similar 2-inch set-ups, getting this line up and ready for walking is a breeze once you select the appropriate anchors. Wrap the ratchet webbing around a tree or post, do the same with the webbing end, feed it through the ratchet, crank it down and you are ready to go in five minutes. The backup line is easy to install as well. You'll want to wrap any extra line using the same tree that the ratchet anchor does and put it through the ratchet handle. You can secure it by putting the free end through the double D-ring buckle. This ensures that the ratchet won't come flying at you in the unlikely scenario of the ratchet failing due to the high tension in a trick-line.

A comfy handle and high efficiency ratchet makes this line easy to get extremely tight which is important for a good trickline.
A comfy handle and high efficiency ratchet makes this line easy to get extremely tight, which is important for a good trickline.

Versatility


While this line is designated as a trick-line, it functions as a decent line to learn to walk on as well. The webbing has a little more kick to its movement but that only slightly increases the challenge of walking. This makes the Slackline Industries Trick Line a good choice if you have both beginner and intermediate slackers to please.

Two-inch ratchet based slacklines have become the standard especially for trick-lines and beginner lines.
Two-inch ratchet based slacklines have become the standard especially for trick-lines and beginner lines.

However, because the line comes with a single ratchet and only 50 feet of webbing, it is limited in its depth as a trick-line. In order for a line to give you competition worthy air, two ratchets and more webbing are necessary. For a true big air trick-line, check out the Slackline Industries Boss Line instead.

Quality


This is a high-quality line that gave us very few issues. The ratchet held up nicely under the large forces applied to a trick-line. We had no problems with bending handles or with the tension slipping once the line was fully locked. As with other trick-lines with highly textured graphics, we did have some melting of the graphics which caused it to catch in the ratchet when we released it after a prolonged session.


Disassembly


Disassembling the Slackline Industries Trick Line is marginally trickier than your average ratchet-tensioned slackline. Because the line is coated with sticky graphics to help the slacker's foot stay put in between aerials, the graphics melt to the webbing when rigged under high tension. This causes the webbing to catch on itself and stay in the ratchet even after the ratchet lock has been fully released. It is an easy fix (just pull on the other side of the webbing) and a problem that is universal amongst trick-lines.

Features


Marketed as a line for jumps and tricks, the Slackline Industries Trick Line is not your average 2-inch slackline. Super bouncy trampoline-like webbing lets you catch extra air when jumping, provided the tension of the line is high enough. The rubber graphics ensure that your foot stays right where you put it when landing back on the line. The ratchet is no different than those found on other 2-inch Slackline Industries lines, but this kit does come with a backup safety line. While it is rare that a ratchet has failed under the extreme forces of trick-lining, this extra feature ensures that if the worst-case scenario happens, there won't be a heavy metal ratchet flying at you.


Value


This line can be great for beginners as well as intermediate tricksters, and for the price, we consider it a good value. If care is taken to get the line set-up right and taken down correctly, this line should last years.

Conclusion


The Slackline Industries Trick Line is an easily assembled line for those who have beginner and intermediate slackers to please. The durability of the webbing and ratchet plus the moderate price tag make this a great line for your everyday slacker.


— Adam Paashaus