As we mentioned in the article on how to choose a slackline, regardless of whether or not they are included in your kit, you should always have tree protections and security backups.

Treewear or tree protectors: Treewears are placed in the tree, between this and the slackline. Usually they are a strip of some type of textile, with velcro so that you can fix them. Some include outer Velcro straps to also to secure the sling or slackline.

Security Backup: Making a backup is simply making a second anchorage to the tensioning system. Just tie the ratchet to the tree with a rope or with the leftover of your slackline if you are not   using the full length. Basically you must attach one end of the rope to the anchor point and the second end to the ratchet screw, where the ratchet strap is attached.

In basic systems the slackline and the ratchet strap have a loop at the end. For the mount you must:

1 – Place the tree protectors;

2 – Wrap the the ratchet belt around one of the trees and then pass de ratchet inside the loop. This loop should be centered and aligned with the other anchor point. And, to ensure that the slackline does not slope sideways, you should fold it into V just before passing in the loop, so that it leaves the loop in that same position. Do not forget to backup before you start to tension it;

3 – Repeat the whole process with the line, passing it around the tree and then inside the loop and then adjusting how it was done with the ratchet;

4 – Take the slackline to the ratchet without any twisting and pass it through the slot from top to bottom. Then pull the tip of it by applying some pretension and, holding the line relatively straight with one hand, use the other hand to unlock the locking tab (which is in the handle and opens with your fingertips) and tension it. When the slackline is tensioned, we retract the ratchet completely until the locking tab engages in the safety slot and its ready.

5 – To disassemble the slackline we have to open the ratchet. To do this, open the ratchet arm by unlocking the safety tab and then, keeping the tab open (pulling it with your fingers), fully open the ratchet until it clicks and loosens the slackline.

We remind you that a soft release makes this process much simpler, more enjoyable and safer.

In slackline systems with slings and shackles there are few things that change. The slackline loop is connected to one of the slings through a schakle, and with the loop of the ratchet strap the same happens. Otherwise the process is the same as the setup of a basic slackline.

1 – Place the tree protectors;

2 – Pass the slings around the anchor points and use the schakles to connect the slings to the slackline and ratchet loops. Do not forget to backup before you start to tension;

3 – Take the slackline to the ratchet without twisting it and pass it through the slot from top to bottom. Then pull the tip of the webbing by applying some pretension and, holding the line relatively straight with one hand, use the other hand to unlock the rachet locking tab (which is in the handle and opens with your fingertips) and tension it. When the slackline is tensioned, retract the ratchet arm completely, until the locking tab engages in the safety slot and it is ready.

4 – To disassemble the slackline we have to open the ratchet. To do this, open the ratchet arm by unlocking the safety catch and then, keeping the tab open (pulling it with your fingers), fully open the ratchet until it clicks and loosens the tape.

We remind you that a soft release makes this process much simpler, more enjoyable and safer.