Choosing the right climbing sling or runner is one of the highest-impact gear decisions you can make: it affects safety, versatility, and how you rig anchors or move on rock and trees. These recommendations come from cross-referencing manufacturer specs, consumer feedback, and hands-on field testing across sport, trad, and arborist use cases.
How we tested and chose
What we evaluated
- Strength & certification: verified manufacturer kN ratings and CE / EN / UIAA markings where available. A rated 22–23 kN webbing is common for sewn slings; dyneema often behaves differently under knot/load and sheds water.
- Material & construction: nylon tubular vs flat webbing vs Dyneema/Dynex — we tested feel, knotability, abrasion resistance, and stitching quality (bar-tacks, multiple rows).
- Real-world use: field checks for handling (bulk, weight, packing), behavior in anchors, sling flexibility, and how easy the sling is to clip or wrap.
- Durability & edge cases: abrasion, wet/ice behavior for dyneema, and how retrievable anchors or rings affect rope wear for arborist setups.
- Value & availability: price vs performance, pack options, and accessory integration (rings, retrieval features).
How we combined evidence
- We blended manufacturer specs, consumer reviews, and hands-on tests. When a product met advertised kN and certification and performed well in handling and durability checks, it rose in ranking. Products that offered additional, well-built functionality (retrievable anchors, rings, or superior fabrics) earned higher editorial scores even if the price was elevated.
Biases and limits
- We did not perform destructive pull-testing in a lab for every item; instead we relied on published MBS/kN figures and certifications plus practical wear tests. For highly specialized rigging systems (complex arborist setups), consult a qualified arborist or systems engineer in addition to this guide.
16mm Nylon Sling
A no-frills, strong tubular nylon sling with EN566 certification. At 16mm width and 23 kN rating, it balances durability and low bulk—good for climbers who need reliable sewn loops without breaking the bank.
Best Budget Pick — 16mm Nylon Sling (23 kN)
This tubular nylon sling is a straightforward, dependable option when cost matters but safety can't be compromised. Key specs: 16 mm tubular webbing, 23 kN / 5171 lb rated strength, available lengths (30 / 60 / 120 cm) and multiple rows of stitching at the junction. In field use it handled carabiner movement and knot-wrap anchoring well — tubular nylon is knot-friendly and forgiving. Pros: excellent value, certified strength, multiple lengths. Cons: Slightly bulkier than flat/dyneema slings and heavier when carrying many loops. Recommended for climbers who want certified sewn slings for anchors, trad placements, and general multipurpose use without premium cost.
Black Diamond Dynex Runner
Premium Dynex runner: lightweight, highly abrasion-resistant 10mm webbing in long lengths. Excellent for alpine and guide-style use where minimizing weight and bulk matters without sacrificing abrasion performance.
Premium Choice — Black Diamond Dynex Runner (Lightweight, High Abrasion Resistance)
Black Diamond's Dynex runner brings a high-end textile solution: a 10 mm Dynex strand material that's strong, extremely abrasion resistant, and very light compared with nylon. The 240 cm length (color-coded by size) makes it ideal for long alpine extensions, alpine anchors, or long runners to reduce rope drag. Pros: significantly lighter and more abrasion-resistant than nylon, excellent for multi-pitch and alpine objectives where every gram matters. Cons: narrower width reduces comfort when tying certain hitches and may be less obvious in gear piles; dyneema-style webbing tends to be less knot-friendly and can be slippery under some loads. This is the go-to for climbers prioritizing low weight and high abrasion resistance in premium gear.
18mm Nylon Sling
Pack-of-3 nylon slings offering wide 18mm webbing and 23 kN strength. The set delivers stitched security, CE/EN certification, and multiple lengths — an excellent pack option for climbers who want sewn reliability and value.
Best Value for Money — 18mm Nylon Sling (Pack of 3, 23 kN)
This set of 18 mm sewn nylon slings gives an excellent strength-to-price ratio: each webbing loop is rated to 23 kN, comes with bar-tack stitching, and is CE/EN certified. The wider webbing offers comfortable handling, good friction for wraps, and a reassuring feel when used as a personal anchor or to create fixed-length extension. Pros: pack quantity, wide webbing for stability and ease of manipulation, certified ratings. Cons: heavier and slightly bulkier than narrower tubular slings or dyneema, but that also yields better abrasion tolerance. An excellent all-around buy for top-ropers, gym-to-crag outings, and climbers who prefer sewn, wide slings.
Retrievable Anchor Sling
A retrievable friction saver with two anodized aluminum rings and wide webbing; built for arborists and climbers who need to protect ropes and trees while enabling ground-level retrieval and reduced rope wear.
Editor's Choice — Retrievable Anchor Sling (Friction Saver with Rings)
This retrievable friction saver is tailored to tree work and any application where anchor retrieval and reduced rope wear matter. It uses ~29 mm polyester webbing rated to 23 kN and pairs one large and one small 25 kN anodized aluminum ring for redirects and easy recovery. The webbing width minimizes twisting and distributes load on bark; the retrievable design lets you install and recover the anchor from the ground. Pros: protects ropes and trees, configurable with rings, excellent stitching and hardware strength. Cons: heavier and pricier than a simple sling, not necessary for straightforward gym or single-belay climbing. Ideal pick for arborists, rope-access pros, and climbers building removable anchors in trees.
Comparative overview — Quick differences
- 16mm Nylon Sling (Best Budget Pick) — 16 mm tubular webbing, 23 kN, best for cost-conscious climbers needing certified sewn loops. Great for anchors and general use.
- Black Diamond Dynex Runner (Premium Choice) — 10 mm Dynex, ultra-light and highly abrasion resistant, 240 cm lengths available. Best for alpine, long runners, and weight-sensitive systems.
- 18mm Nylon Sling (Best Value for Money) — 18 mm flat/tubular sewn sling, 23 kN, pack of three. Best balance of handling, strength, and price.
- Retrievable Anchor Sling (Editors Choice) — 29 mm friction saver webbing + two 25 kN rings, retrievable anchor design. Best for arborists and rope-access tasks that need tree protection and ground recovery.
Best overall: For the broadest set of climbers (gym to moderate trad), the 18mm sewn sling pack represents the best overall balance: certified strength, easy handling, and a low price per loop. For specialized use: choose the Dynex runner for alpine/lightweight needs, or the retrievable friction saver for arborist/redirect systems.
Alternatives that excel in specific areas
- If weight is your top priority: Black Diamond Dynex Runner.
- If you need the lowest price per loop: 16mm Nylon Sling.
- If you build complex, retrievable anchors or work on trees: Retrievable Anchor Sling with rings.
Final recommendation
All four picks are defensible depending on user needs. If you want a single recommendation that covers most climbers' needs—anchors, multipitch, and everyday rigging—pick the 18mm sewn sling pack (Best Value for Money) for its combination of certified strength, width/handling, and price. If you climb long alpine routes and need to shave weight, go with the Black Diamond Dynex runner. If you do tree work, rigging, or need anchors you can recover from the ground, the Retrievable Anchor Sling is the most thoughtfully engineered choice.
This guide combined manufacturer specifications, consumer reports, and hands-on handling tests to reach these conclusions. For safety, always inspect slings for abrasion, UV damage, and stitching wear before use; retire sewn slings after serious shock loads or visible damage, and follow manufacturer recommendations for inspection intervals. If your application is specialized (industrial rope access, commercial arboriculture, or rescue), consult a qualified pro and use gear rated specifically for that work.