What Is a Good Slackline to Buy for A Beginner? (Answered)

About a decade ago, I started learning how to slackline. I did all the research about slacklining best practices, including the materials that I needed as a beginner. I wanted to be a master of this enjoyable sporting activity while also having fun. I discovered that it all begins with getting a good slackline. 

A good slackline for a beginner should be 2-inches wide and about 26 – 32 ft in length. It’s easier for a beginner to walk on a wider slackline than on a thinner one that is less than 2-inches wide. Also, the greater the length of the slackline, the more the wobbling effect. 

From my experience, choosing the best slackline up front is paramount, whether for kids or adult beginners, something we’ll discuss next. Below you’ll also find useful tips that will help you learn within a short time. 

Best Slackline for Beginners 

When it comes to choosing a slackline, the first thing to consider is safety. It would depend whether you are an adult or a child, then you can find a suitable slackline for your age bracket. The other factors that you should consider include:

Length and width

A good slackline should offer you a suitable length and width for your skill level. As a beginner, you may consider one with 2-inches thickness, and at most 10 meters in length. This will help reduce the wobbling effect that you do not need as you learn to balance. 

Even with a good slackline, you also need to set it low to the ground. This is to prevent injuries since as a beginner, you first need to learn balance before you can advance the heights. 

Webbing Material 

Most slacklines are made from nylon material. This results in a rigid slackline that is not stretchy and would be suitable for beginners. A material that is too stretchy or elastic is not a good idea to start with. You need something firm and rigid as you progress towards one that is somewhat elastic.

Ratchet system

As a beginner, a good slackline should have a single lever and lock system making it easy to tighten the slackline and close it. 

Among the things to check out when looking to buy a slackline for starting is the ease of using it, and whether or not it comes with other accessories that you need like the carrying bag, tree protection accessories, slackline stand, and a teaching line. 

For kids

The weight limit may not be a bigger concern for the kids. Most slacklines are strong and would hold up to 300lbs. However, what you should be concerned about most is the safety of the kids and the low stretch webbing of the slackline. 

For beginner kids, I would recommend Gibbon Slacklines. They come in 2-inches width and with all accessories suitable for beginner kids. 

For adults 

An adult who is a beginner is no different from a beginner kid except of course the weight! The difference would be to get a slackline that can handle more weight. The fortunate thing with slacklines is that most quality ones come with a standard weight range of about 240 lbs – 300lbs depending on the model and brand. That would be more than enough for a learning adult. 

For a good option to buy, I would recommend ZenMonkey Slackline. This one comes with a 2-inches width – suitable for beginners, and with reinforced loop multi-weave webbing. They also come with other accessories that include tree protectors, a built-in safety latch, and a carbon steel ratchet. 

Is Slacklining Hard to Learn?

Walking on a slackline is not easy for the first time. And possibly not the second time, third time or… well you get the idea. You need consistent practice to perfect your balancing skills. It can take about 1 – 2 weeks of constant practice to level up but also depends on how fast you can learn. 

All I can say is that it is not hard to learn to slackline. However, consistency is key when you are at the beginning stages. You will need to set some few hours to practice daily until you master walking from end to end. 

Loose vs Tighter Slackline 

A loose slackline is not a good way to start as a beginner. With a loose slackline, the wobbling – scientists call it amplitude – will be more hence you may not learn quickly when your slackline is too loose. On the other hand, a tighter slackline is the way to go for beginners. It makes the slackline steady and firm, hence there is less wobbling. 

Someone would ask, “is a tighter slackline easier?” When you compare the two, a loose one is hard to walk on compared to a tighter one. A tighter one does not sway and bounce like the loose slackline. Therefore, it becomes easier to walk when the slackline does not sway. 

To make your slackline tighter, you need to reduce the distance between the slackline stands or tress holding the slackline and fastening them tightly. 

How Long Does It Take to Walk on a Slackline?

Walking on a slackline from a complete beginner will take practice and time. It can take 1 -2 weeks of consistent practice to start walking a few steps on the slackline. With a month of consistent practice, you may walk from one end to another. 

It is also important to note, slacklining is not just about walking on the slackline. There are different styles you can achieve with time and consistent practice. You may begin to learn to walk backwards, and that can also take some months before you perfect it. 

Based on my experience, I can say it can take up to one year of practice for you to achieve all the styles that you want. Whether to walk, run, walk backward, or jump while on the slackline. Practice does make perfect – ok, maybe not perfect – but falling off a slackline is part of the deal!

Final thoughts

To sum up, a good slackline for a beginner is one that is safe, comfortable, and easy to set up. I can recommended two slacklines that would give you value as you begin your slackline journey. That is the Gibbon Slacklines, and ZenMonkey Slackline.

These two, however, are not strictly made for children and adults respectively but you can use them how you want so long as you don’t exceed the weight limits.