Soft shackles have been around a few years now but are yet to become a commonplace accessory to be found in the back of every 4x4. Strong, lightweight and safe - they have so much to offer.
Why choose to use a soft shackle?
Steel shackles are still the most commonly used item when the going gets tough or the 4x4 gets stuck. Relatively cheap and easy to use, they are very practical ... as long as they are stored in their bag. But with repeated use their weight and other disadvantages quickly become counterproductive: in the event of failure they are very dangerous, in the wet or cold they are awkward to handle and in the vehicle you can never find the ideal place to store them.
Soft shackles are an almost perfect solution, since they are light, compact and just as strong. However they are slightly more expensive than their steel counterparts and you need to know how to use them correctly.
In this article, we explain step-by-step how best to use a soft shackle.
How to attach 2 straps together?
1 - Widen the loop at the end of the soft shackle by sliding the rope through the sleeve. The loop just needs to be big enough to allow the knot to pass through.
2 - Pass the knot through the loop.
3 - Hold the knot in one hand and pull along the sleeve to tighten the loop.
4 - Now continue to slide the first loop down to form a loop the same size as the knot.
5 - Run the the looped ends of the recovery straps over the knotted end of the soft shackle.
6 - Now close the loop by passing the knot through the loop and pull tightly.
7 - The soft shackle is now ready for action. Be sure to place the straps either side of the knot. The pulling action means it is impossible for the knot to slip out of the loop.
How to attach a soft shackle to a 4x4?
1 - Set-up the soft shackle as above up to step 4. Pass the loop through the recovery eye.
2 - Pass the knot through the loop
3 - Pull tightly to secure the soft shackle.
4 - Once again, the soft shackle should be used with the knot on the side to avoid damage to shackle or the recovery strap.
How does a soft shackle work?
At first glance, a soft shackle appears to be a just a chunky length of rope with a knotted end. It is actually more complex than that. It is actually a rope folded in half, half of which is passed through the outer sheath of the other half before coming out. On one side a loop forms naturally, and on the other a very tight knot is made. This particular construction therefore makes it possible to enlarge or tighten the loop by sliding the rope in the sheath. The synthetic fibers used, unlike climbing ropes for example, have no elasticity.
Choose the right soft shackle
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