OutdoorGearLab

The Mammut Contact Sling is the best overall climbing sling because it combines a winning combination of minimal bulk, super low weight, easy deployment, and comfortable handling. It is made from Dyneema, known for being the strongest fiber on earth, and pound for pound significantly stronger than steel. The tubular shape of its webbing means it can be a mere 8mm wide yet still provide the same 22kN strength rating of the thinnest flat webbing that checks in at 10mm. Unsurprisingly, it's also the lightest sling in this review, weighing a measly 19 grams. Due to its slim dimensions, we found that this sling slides through carabiners easier than any other model which allowed us to triple it up into an alpine quickdraw with minimal hassle. This performance is aided in part by the svelte stitching design that is used to connect the two ends to make the sling. 
Of course, we discovered a few downsides to this low-profile sling as well. Due to its incredible thinness, we find that any knot tied into the sling has a propensity to weld itself together very tightly when weighted, which can make them quite hard to untie. Like all Dyneema slings, tying knots in the sling greatly reduces its strength. Dyneema is also inelastic, so climbers need to be extra careful not to load the sling statically or the forces generated may compromise the sling itself or whatever protection it is attached to. These concerns, however, are easily mitigated by attentive use, and we believe the benefits of Dyneema far outweigh the drawbacks. Climbing is all about getting you &#40;and your gear&#41; up tall cliffs and mountains and having the lightest, smallest, and best performing gear seems to only make that task easier and more enjoyable. That's why we recommend the Mammut Contact Sling as our favorite choice.

The Mammut Contact Sling is the best overall climbing sling because it combines a winning combination of minimal bulk, super low weight, easy deployment, and comfortable handling. It is made from Dyneema, known for being the strongest fiber on earth, and pound for pound significantly stronger than steel. The tubular shape of its webbing means it can be a mere 8mm wide yet still provide the same 22kN strength rating of the thinnest flat webbing that checks in at 10mm. Unsurprisingly, it's also the lightest sling in this review, weighing a measly 19 grams. Due to its slim dimensions, we found that this sling slides through carabiners easier than any other model which allowed us to triple it up into an alpine quickdraw with minimal hassle. This performance is aided in part by the svelte stitching design that is used to connect the two ends to make the sling. 
Of course, we discovered a few downsides to this low-profile sling as well. Due to its incredible thinness, we find that any knot tied into the sling has a propensity to weld itself together very tightly when weighted, which can make them quite hard to untie. Like all Dyneema slings, tying knots in the sling greatly reduces its strength. Dyneema is also inelastic, so climbers need to be extra careful not to load the sling statically or the forces generated may compromise the sling itself or whatever protection it is attached to. These concerns, however, are easily mitigated by attentive use, and we believe the benefits of Dyneema far outweigh the drawbacks. Climbing is all about getting you &#40;and your gear&#41; up tall cliffs and mountains and having the lightest, smallest, and best performing gear seems to only make that task easier and more enjoyable. That's why we recommend the Mammut Contact Sling as our favorite choice.
Read more: Mammut Contact Sling review

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Although double-length slings are most commonly used to extend pieces of protection while on lead to reduce rope drag, quadruple or even longer slings are sometimes used to equalize multiple protection pieces into a secure anchor. On a multi-pitch climb, it's common for each climber to carry 1-2 extra long slings for this purpose, and from our testing, we think the Metolius Open Loop Sling offers the best array of attributes to be an ideal anchor sling. While all Dyneema slings are joined with a small amount of Nylon on the edges to give color and suppleness, the 11mm Open Loop Sling features a more equal balance of the two, which gives it some elastic stretch while still featuring the strength-to-weight ratio of Dyneema. It comes in a wide selection of different widths and lengths, making it easier to choose exactly what size sling you prefer for building your anchors. We tested the 11mm wide, 120cm long version, and thought it was one of the very best performers when it comes to tying and untying knots that have been weighted, which is a very critical consideration for an anchor building sling.
There are a few downsides to this sling, mainly that tying knots in a sling, which is common when building equalized anchors, reduces the strength of the sling. However, considering that the sling is rated to forces of 22kN &#40;roughly equal to 4,945lbs&#41; it is hard to conceive of a situation where a sling of even slightly reduced strength would be compromised. Other small downsides are the fact that it is a bit thicker than other slings we tested that are also 11mm wide, making it slightly bulkier, and it also has a slightly rougher edge to it than the tubular design of the BlueWater Titan Sling, another solid choice for anchor building. In the end, however, these concerns are far outweighed by the ease of untying knots and the myriad of choices, not to mention the very reasonable price, which makes this the ideal choice for your anchor building needs.

Although double-length slings are most commonly used to extend pieces of protection while on lead to reduce rope drag, quadruple or even longer slings are sometimes used to equalize multiple protection pieces into a secure anchor. On a multi-pitch climb, it's common for each climber to carry 1-2 extra long slings for this purpose, and from our testing, we think the Metolius Open Loop Sling offers the best array of attributes to be an ideal anchor sling. While all Dyneema slings are joined with a small amount of Nylon on the edges to give color and suppleness, the 11mm Open Loop Sling features a more equal balance of the two, which gives it some elastic stretch while still featuring the strength-to-weight ratio of Dyneema. It comes in a wide selection of different widths and lengths, making it easier to choose exactly what size sling you prefer for building your anchors. We tested the 11mm wide, 120cm long version, and thought it was one of the very best performers when it comes to tying and untying knots that have been weighted, which is a very critical consideration for an anchor building sling.
There are a few downsides to this sling, mainly that tying knots in a sling, which is common when building equalized anchors, reduces the strength of the sling. However, considering that the sling is rated to forces of 22kN &#40;roughly equal to 4,945lbs&#41; it is hard to conceive of a situation where a sling of even slightly reduced strength would be compromised. Other small downsides are the fact that it is a bit thicker than other slings we tested that are also 11mm wide, making it slightly bulkier, and it also has a slightly rougher edge to it than the tubular design of the BlueWater Titan Sling, another solid choice for anchor building. In the end, however, these concerns are far outweighed by the ease of untying knots and the myriad of choices, not to mention the very reasonable price, which makes this the ideal choice for your anchor building needs.
Read more: Metolius Open Loop Sling review

Climbing Sling Comparison