Gibbon Classic Slackline Kit - 15 meters - 2012 Closeout

Comments about Gibbon Classic Slackline Kit - 15 meters - 2012 Closeout:

We bought this for our Cub Scout Pack. It was easy to set up and take down. Everyone had fun from toddlers to adults. It was a great addition to my Cubmaster bag of tricks.

Comments about Gibbon Classic Slackline Kit - 15 meters - 2012 Closeout:

This is a fun slackline and is very easy to set up with the ratchet. The ratchet makes it easy to tighten solo and the webbing has a good feel. Unfortunately, the ratchet also damages the webbing. The problem occurs because the racket has a small space between the center spindle and the body. This space is only half way around the spindle; therefore, webbing gets caught in the small space then sheared as the spindle turns the webbing and the space tightens. The result is damage to the sides of the webbing. This could easily be avoided with a simple plastic spacer on both ends of the spindle to keep the webbing from getting caught on the sides. There are online videos showing how to setup this line and all those steps were taken so as far as I can tell there is no user error. I will be returning this line and unless the manufacturer has redesigned the ratchet, I will be making a primitive slackline.

Comments about Gibbon Classic Slackline Kit - 15 meters - 2012 Closeout:

Overall a good product and I'd rate if 5 stars but there is a flaw in the design. I think it is the same problem as noted in another review but to me it appears the side of the webbing catches in a partial gap between the spool and the body of the ratchet. Once the webbing is in there; it gets cranked around to the tight side and pinched causing fraying along the edges. I watched the videos from Gibbon and have been setting it up right but it still does it every time. Not a huge deal but I would expect better given the cost of the lines. If it continues to get worse I will probably return it to REI. I think a little higher quality ratchet would solve the problem. Fix this and it would be a great product.

Comments about Gibbon Classic Slackline Kit - 15 meters - 2012 Closeout:

I'd been interested in slacklining for a while and had been eying a couple Gibbon lines, thinking about pulling the trigger when this popped up as the Deal of the Day. Easy decision. As far as I can tell, this is only on closeout because Gibbon is dropping the yellow classic in 2013 in favor of the red.

It's extremely easy to set up, especially if you take the time to watch Gibbon's videos.

So far I'm just learning to walk on it, but it definitely has enough bounce to it for tricks if you're so inclined. It's crazy fun, and a great workout.

The one caveat is that it gets part of it's bounce from the stretchy weave, which feels kind of soft when the line is slack and you have to take a little care with it so that you don't damage the line. Like any nylon webbing that bears a load, you'll want to protect it from abrasion and snags. So make sure to be careful with the ratchet and use some kind of tree protection for the health and safety of the trees as well as your line!

Service and delivery comments:

Shipping was super fast.

Comments about Gibbon Classic Slackline Kit - 15 meters - 2012 Closeout:

Over all a great product. Fun to use, easy to learn even if it seems impossibly hard at first. This line is much easier to walk on then the jib line.
Be very careful when you release the line to take it down. It can snag on the spring on the ratchet, and put a run in the line. If it is just a few inches that it isn't a big deal and it will fix it self when you put the line up again, but if you are unaware it snagged and keep pulling you could pull several feet out and wreck the line.