How to thread your line

I have been slacklining for almost 7 years right now and still some of my favorite webbings are threaded models. I think my all time favorite is 1" Threaded Slack-Spec which is improved (stronger and more dynamic) version of classic 1" threaded tubular webbing. Recently I expended my slackline pile with other threaded models like RAGEline (1.25" polyester tubular webbing with Type-18 MKII inside), PowrLine (1" Slack-Spec inside 1.25" Tubular) and VecTec (7/8" Spider Silk inside 1" Slack-Spec).

There is quite few other threaded lines on the market for example T-Wave or EQB Element.

There is lots of reasons why I do like these lines but redundancy, round edges and good dynamics and strength are most important to me. If you didn't get the lines in one piece nice and threaded you are going to have some fun. Over many years I threaded quite few lines but never had too much experience with it. I also tried different tools and methods but just recently learned a really good method from Jerry Miszewski him self. This guy has tons of experience with threading the lines in huge amount as he runs his own slackline company Balance Community. I had a chance to test this methods by myself. In less then one day Jerry and I threaded over 4000 feet of RAGEline and my new 55m piece of VecTec. Obviously both of us were tired afterward but we had a good rhythm and everything worked really well. Naturally normal users will thread one line at the time so we'll focus on this (we can skip organizing multiple lines in boxes etc) ...

More then 4000feet of RAGEline and 180 feet of VecTec

There are two main methods two thread your line:

1) First method is when you thread the webbing directly by using a metal stick (this method works pretty much for most situation despite VecTec and really long pieces of RAGEline or PowrLine),
2) This method involves threading first long piece of cord inside your tubular webbing and then pulling the inner webbing through.

Method 1

What you will need:

- 2 Tree-Protectors,
- 1-2 slings,
- 2-3 carabineers,
- threading stick (best is around 2 meters length) with a piece of thin cord (best option I found is lash-it cord from Samson Ropes),
- splicing fid (optional),
- pliers.

HOW TO

a) cut the beginning of your outside tubular line along the length. The cut should be around 20-25cm long in middle of your webbing width. When you are done slightly melt the edges of the cut to prevent it from too much fraying,
b) stuff your inner line inside you haulbag, box or BC line-bag, while doing that try to remove all the twists from your line,
c) pack your outside and inner line and the rest of your equipment and go to the park,
d) find shaded spot (it is better to thread your line hidden from a sun so it doesn't hit up; this leads to more friction in between the lines making whole process harder),
e) find a nice tree and put two Tree-Protectors around the same height as your waist,
f) attach your threading stick to your inner webbing (in order to do that use your splicing fid or something similar to thread the thin cord from the threading stick through your inner webbing. Best is to have it 2-3cm away from the end of your inner webbing),

g) put your threading stick inside the outer webbing and thread your inner webbing through the short distance (2-4 meters),
h) rap the first sling around the higher Tree-Protector and tight the ends of your split outer webbing to the sling ends as shown on the picture below,

i) stretch your outer webbing on the ground making sure it is in line and has no twists on it,
j) clip your webbing through the carabineers place on the Tree-Protector and the sling as shown on the picture below (this should prevent the twists),

k) start threading your webbing (what works best for me is to support the end of the threading stick inside the outer webbing on my foot or the ground and then push the outer webbing down while making sure you don't get any twists until the threading stick is full of creased webbing and then slowly pull on it. If there is lots of friction and you have problems pulling your threading stick through, make a small bend at the end of it or even full bend which creates a handle and then pull again),
l) continue that process until you thread whole inner webbing through. If you're planning on melting the ends of your webbings together first pull the outer webbing with pliers. If you want to leave the ends free tie a water-knot on each end of outer webbing.

Method 2

This method works best for long distances or in situation where there is a lot of friction in between webbings. If the friction is really bad (like in case of VecTec) depending on your cord strength you might want to double or even triple it and then pull the cord through with a pulley system!

What you will need:

- 2 Tree-Protectors,
- 1-2 slings,
- 2-3 carabineers,
- threading stick (best is around 2 meters length) with a piece of thin cord (best option I found is lash-it cord from Samson Ropes),
- splicing fid (optional),
- pliers,
- long piece of cord (a bit longer then your threading webbing length or double or triple if you need stronger option).

ADDITIONAL:
- pulley system,
- ascender,
- sling + Tree-Protector,

 HOW TO

a) cut the beginning of your outside tubular line along the length. The cut should be around 20-25cm long in middle of your webbing width. When you are done slightly melt the edges of the cut to prevent it from too much fraying,
b) stuff your inner line inside you haulbag, box or BC line-bag, while doing that try to remove all the twists from your line,
c) pack your outside and inner line and the rest of your equipment and go to the park,
d) find shaded spot (it is better to thread your line hidden from a sun so it doesn't hit up; this leads to more friction in between the lines making whole process harder),
e) find a nice tree and put two Tree-Protectors around the same height as your waist,
f) attach your threading stick to your threading cord,
g) put your threading stick inside the outer webbing and thread your cord through the short distance (2-4 meters),
h) rap the first sling around the higher Tree-Protector and tight the ends of your split outer webbing to the sling ends as shown on the picture below,
i) stretch your outer webbing on the ground making sure it is in line and has no twists on it,
j) clip your webbing through the carabineers place on the Tree-Protector and the sling as shown on the picture below (this should prevent the twists),
k) start threading your webbing (what works best for me is to support the end of the threading stick inside the outer webbing on my foot or the ground and then push the outer webbing down while making sure you don't get any twists until the threading stick is full of creased webbing and then slowly pull on it. If there is lots of friction and you have problems pulling your threading stick through, make a small bend at the end of it or even full bend which creates a handle and then pull again),
l) continue that process until you thread whole cord through,
m) attach the inner webbing to your threading cord and if you can pull it through just with your hands do that (If there is too much friction what you need to do is to find another tree in line spaced a bit further then the end of your webbing, attach your pulley system and then your threading cord to your pulley system with a knot. Next pull the cord through until your pulleys system is shortened and the reset the knot on the cord and repeat until you thread whole inner webbing through. Try to pull slowly and consistently without an rapid pulls which can increase the force and break your threading cord which can happen and then you have to start over from the beginning),
n) If you're planning on melting the ends of your webbings together first pull the outer webbing with pliers. If you want to leave the ends free tie a water-knot on each end of outer webbing.

I hope this post helped you to understand and mastering the threading technique. Next tutorial coming soon! This time on: how to set up rodeo line.

Peace & SlackOn!
Janek