One of the interesting things about slacklining is learning about the different types of slacklining styles that exist and the different kinds of slackline designs that are available, too.
You can take part in different forms of slacklining involving varying slackline styles and also set the line up in different locations on solid ground or over water depending on your goals. You can also choose slacklines 1″ or 2″ in width and lengths from about 16′ and up to vary the challenge.
Let’s take a closer look at the different styles of slacklining and slackline designs that you can choose from.
Regular slacklining
Regular slacklining involves setting up a slackline that is 1″ or 2″ in width, that is generally a minimum of 16′ (5m) that is attached at both ends to solid objects such as trees, poles or another method.
You can also buy a treeless slacklining kit that can be set up in a backyard or other area where you don’t have access to suitable trees.
You can easily find a slacklining kit that includes the slackline itself, ratchet, tree protection and other necessary equipment that will get you started.
If you’re brand new to slacklining you might also consider a top line which is a safety line that gets set up over top of the slackline that you can hold onto for balance as you’re learning. Think of it as training wheels that you can get rid of when you’re comfortable.
When to try it: Beginner to advanced slackliners might stick with “regular” slacklining and simply experiment with 1″ and 2″ wide slacklines, longer lengths and trying it both barefoot and with shoes for a challenge. You might also try it in winter.
Tricklining
We have a dedicated page called Trickline vs Slackline (Differences and How To Walk On Each) that you should check out to learn more but in a nutshell, a trickline is more durable and stretchy than a regular slackline. This enables you to do tricks (hence the name), bounces and other moves.
A trickline is designed to be used for bouncy moves and jumps that a regular slackline may not be suitable for. The trickline is set up with a level of tension that it acts similar to a trampoline to enable these moves.
But how you can get the proper tension to achieve this bounciness?
Trickline sets tend to come with two ratchets rather than one. When you start tightening the slackline with the ratchet and build tension, the ratchet spools the slackline and will eventually reach its limit if you ratchet it up tight enough. Thus, by having two ratchets you have double the capacity on the spools as you’d have with just one ratchet to get the desired tension.
When to try it: Once you’ve mastered slacklining without falling, tricklining is a possible option to consider.
Highlining
Highlining involves slacklining from a great height when the line typically set up between two buildings, on a mountain, bridge or other immovable objects.
Depending on how high the fastening points, a highline could be set up dozens or even hundreds of feet off the ground.
Highlining involves the use of a safety line to protect if you fall off the line and tends to be a style that only more experienced slackliners do given the potential danger.
When to try it: You might never try it if you don’t feel comfortable. Given the height involved, it’s a style that only experienced and confident slackliners do.
Midlining
There is a subset of highlining called midlining which typically involves setting up a slackline 33′ – 50′ (10m -15m) off the ground. So it’s set up higher off the ground than a regular line but lower than a highline.
While this form of slacklining might sound safer than highlining, it’s is considered more dangerous because it’s high enough off the ground to cause injury if you fall off the line but may not be high enough off the ground for a safety line to protect you from hitting the ground.
Again, it’s a style best partaken by experienced slackliners.
When to try it: Again, it’s another form that experienced and skilled slackliners do and might be avoided if it’s simply not of interest to you.
Slackline yoga
Slackline + yoga = Slackline yoga.
If you’ve ever seen a person sitting on a slackline in a relaxed position, it’s an example of yoga slacklining so when you think about it, you can do regular slacklining and add some yoga-like moves as you progress.
Other more challenging slackline yoga moves include various poses and balances like Dove Pose, Grasshopper Pose and Bow Pose among others.
When to try it: Once you’ve mastered the art of walking on the slackline, you might add basic yoga moves like lying on the line on your stomach, sitting on the line and other yoga-like moves to start with.
Waterlining
Waterlining involves setting up your slackline over a body of water such as a lake or river. So if you fall off the slackline, you fall in the water and not on the ground.
In addition to the threat or excitement (depending on how you look at it) of falling in the water and getting wet, you can also try jumps, bounces, somersaults and other fun moves knowing that if you fail, you’ll land in the drink and not on solid ground.
On the other hand, the waves and movement of the water may be distracting and since water isn’t stationary like the ground, it may affect your ability to concentrate.
For waterlining, look for a low-stretch slackline otherwise it could sag into the water. Also make sure you choose a slackline that is long enough to reach whatever anchor points you’re planning on attaching to.
If you’re planning on trying out some skill moves while waterlining, your best bet is a slackline with some grip as it’ll get wet and slippery and you could find it difficult to maintain your balance otherwise. Look for a trickline or slackline with special grip that takes water into account into the design.
When to try it: Once you have experience on the slackline, waterlining can be a great new challenge given the ability of the water movement to throw you off both literally and figuratively.
Freestyle slacklining
Freestyle slacklining is also referred to as rodeo slacklining and involves setting the line up with no tension whatsoever. As such it’s widely considered to be one of the toughest types of slacklining given how the line can easily sway.
The only tension when freestyle slacklining is when you are standing on the line itself.
How do you set up a freestyle slackline?
Set it up with the minimum tension required to keep the line off the ground when standing on it.
When to try it: Once you’re experienced, freestyle slacklining is the next step you might want to try as the lack of tension will be something you aren’t used to.
Urban slacklining
Urban slacklining is also known as urbanlining. It’s an interesting style because it tends to be one that is done in an urban setting just as in a park, playground or other public area and is often set up permanently for year round use.
Urbanliners tend to use 2″ (5cm) wide slacklines.
When to try it: Once you’ve got some experience under your belt, accessing a public slackline in an urban setting can be a fun way to slackline with friends and perhaps a crowd, since they tend to be popular venues.
Final thoughts
While there are a number of slackline styles and slackline design types, sticking with regular slacklining can give you a great enough challenge to keep you busy.
But if you’re looking for a new challenge and trying some tricks and power moves, there are a number of slackline styles you can choose from.
Something to consider: You might start by experimenting with both 1″ and 2″ wide slacklines, increasing the length of your slackline and slacklining both barefoot and with shoes as you figure out what suits your interests.
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