Something similar to a tree

For: urban areas

Needed: nothing (line protection sometimes)

The simplest alternative – use poles (telephone, volleyball etc.), posts, pylons, railing, large street signs and others.

Warning: Use only solid and securely anchored stuff and always test it first. If it can be shaken, moves a little while walking on the line, or if you are not 100% sure they are strong enough, find a different place. The line is able to create enormous forces, which can easily destroy weaker anchors (just take a look at the video below or a forum thread here).

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When using something with sharp or harsh edges (bricks, concrete etc.), always use some kind of protection (towel, carpet,…) to minimize wearing of the line.

And if the post is thinner, wrap the line several times around, to prevent it from slipping.

Permanent deadman anchor

For: garden (or other area that belongs to you)

Needed: shovel, 2 solid anchors, chains, 2 shackles (or carabiners), 2 A-frames

Ideal solution for your garden if there aren't any trees. The system is the same as the Temporary DMA, however use stronger anchors (for example a metal tube sealed in concrete) and instead of the line, attach a chain (normal, from any hardware store) to them. Also, on the other end of the chain (when it leaves the ground), use a shackle for attaching the line (see the first video for tutorial).

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The idea is to build a couple of anchors which will be permanently available – so you just attach your slackline, add the A-frames and you are ready.

Auger anchors, Duckbill earth anchors

For: soil or sandy soil (not so good in pure sand)

Needed: 2 or 4 anchors, 2 shackles (or carabiners), slings, 2 A-frames

Using auger or Duckbill earth anchors is slighty more expensive but also a lot easier compared to the deadman method.

Auger – these are cheaper and also easier to get out of the ground. You can get them here.

Duckbill – available here. Slightly more expensive as you would also need the drive steel tool to hammer them into the ground. They are easier to get into (see the video below) but to get them out of the ground, you would have to dig them out.

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We would rather recommend you to use a pair of these anchors on each side, just to be sure. Then make a connection point using shackles and some climbing slings for example, and finally add two A-frames to lift the line to desired height.

Temporary deadman anchor

For: beach, heavy snow (easy to dig spots)

Needed: shovel, 2 anchors, 2 A-frames

Great for slackline session on the beach or in a heavy snow. Dig a hole 3-4 feet deep, attach your line to an anchor (a log or short plank for example) and bury it in there. Then repeat on the other side and add two A-frames, plywood boxes or similar things to hold the line in the right height.

Of course, the main disadvantage is that you have to dig those holes again to retrieve the line – which makes this method quite time consuming. So if you are on your own property, use rather the permanent method.

Build your own posts

For: garden, beach etc. (places where you are permitted to install it)

Needed: digging tool, 2 rounded wooden posts (at least 8 inches in diameter and 8 feet long), concrete mix, water, spade, wheelbarrow or trough

You can even build your own posts. Dig two holes at least 5 feet deep and about twice as broad as the posts. Install the posts there, prepare concrete (watch the video below) and fill the holes with it (make sure the post is in the center of the hole).

Wait at least two days until the concrete becomes perfectly firm and you are ready. And when anchoring the line, wrap it several times around the post to prevent it from slipping (see the picture above).

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Of course, if you plan to set the line more than 3 inches from the ground (for tricks for example), use thicker and longer poles (and keep the same ratio 5:3 under/above ground).

Use your car

For: almost any place

Needed: vehicle (log, A-frames)

Warning: Never use your car to actually tighten the line, you can damage it easily. Also, use this setup only for walking a short line, not for activities that involve higher forces or more tension (longer line, jumps, bounces).

There are several possibilities how to use a vehicle for slackline setup – you can anchor it to the towing shackle / ball, or you can try the wheel and log method:

Get a loop of line under the wheel (driving over it or using a car jack) and anchor it to a small piece of wood (2-4 inches on diameter is enough). Then use A-frames, plywood boxes or similar stuff to raise the line to a desired height.

Visit your local gym / climbing center

For: tricks training for example

Needed: nothing

The most obvious choice is to check your local climbing gym – many of them offer whole areas dedicated for slacklining, or at least a possibility to rig a line there (small poles like this from slacktivity.nl are often used).

Of course, it's not as pleasant as slacklining in the nature – but great for learning new tricks because you can always get enough protective mats there (see the video below).

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Expansion bolts

For: your home, office, garage, basement

Needed: 2 5/8" expansion bolts (each with 2 washers), drill, 5/8" drill bit, wrench, something for cleaning the holes + 2 A-frames (or boxes, milk crates etc.)

You wouldn't probably use this method outdoors as there exist many easier setup techniques – however, installing bolts is one of the simplest ways how to build a line in your flat, garage or even office.

Let's watch a video how to do that:

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