Round slings

Round Slings from the Event Technology Specialist

Round slings are the flexible, load-bearing backbone of every safe rigging setup — and at LTT you find exactly the versions your stage, truss and show work demands. As your specialist for event technology, we combine over 25 years of hands-on experience with a range built for professionals: from classic textile slings to steel-wire Steelflex versions for hanging loads above people.

Whether you rig moving heads on an aluminium truss, secure line arrays or lift heavy stage elements — the right round sling keeps everything reliably in place. Here you get certified quality to EN 1492-2, honest technical advice and gear that helps you achieve impressive results on every job.

What Is a Round Sling and How Is It Built? Fundamentals

A round sling is an endless textile lifting sling used as an attachment device (also called an endless sling, lifting sling or choker sling). It consists of a load-bearing core of endless multifilament wound into a ring, enclosed in a protective woven jacket. The core carries the load while the jacket shields the fibres from dirt, moisture and mechanical wear.

The filament is typically made from polyester (PES), polyamide (PA) or polypropylene (PP). Polyester is the standard because it is light-stable, heat-stable and offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Round slings are available as single-jacket versions for lighter, occasional lifts and as double-jacket versions for higher abrasion resistance and longer service life in demanding environments.

How a round sling differs from other attachment devices

Unlike a flat webbing sling made from woven flat band, a round sling is completely endless and extremely flexible. It adapts to the contour of the load and distributes force evenly. Compared with steel chains or wire ropes, a round sling is lighter, easier to store and — when dry — non-conductive. This flexibility is exactly why round slings are so popular for lifting loads that have no fixed attachment points, such as truss segments, sensitive equipment or irregularly shaped stage elements.

Colour Coding: EN 1492 in Industry vs. Black Slings in Event Technology

In classic industrial use, the colour of a round sling has a strict meaning: the colour indicates the working load limit (WLL) per EN 1492. Violet stands for 1 t, green for 2 t, yellow for 3 t, grey for 4 t, red for 5 t, brown for 6 t, blue for 8 t and orange for 10 t and above. This colour coding allows quick identification on site, and the capacity is always additionally printed on the identification label.

Why event technology works differently

Here is a crucial point that most guides overlook — and it is exactly where our expertise matters: in event and stage technology this colour-per-capacity system is generally not applied. Round slings used in rigging are usually black, regardless of their load capacity. On stage the priority is that hardware disappears visually, not that it signals its WLL by colour. The relevant capacity information therefore comes from the identification label, not from the jacket colour.

Black and silver for truss aesthetics

Black remains the standard on any stage because it blends into trussing, backdrops and lighting. In addition, we also stock silver round slings in our range. These are designed so that they do not stand out as strongly on shiny aluminium truss constructions — a subtle but valuable detail when your rig is exposed to the audience and every visual element should look intentional. So while industry reads capacity from colour, in event technology you read it from the label and choose the colour to match your set design.

Steelflex Round Slings with Steel Wire Insert for Stage and Rigging

For holding and lifting operations in theatre, scenic construction and event technology, a special version has become a genuine game-changer: the Steelflex round sling from Riggatec. Instead of a purely textile core, it contains one or more endless round-strand steel wire ropes inside a polyester protective jacket — combining the flexibility of a textile sling with the robustness of steel.

Why the steel wire insert matters

The key advantage is the fire-resistant steel-wire insert. Because the load-bearing core is metal, the sling keeps its integrity even under heat, sparks or flame exposure — a real risk in environments with pyrotechnics, hot spotlights or welding nearby. In many rigging cases this fire resistance means that a secondary safety can be omitted, which simplifies your setup and saves time, provided the manufacturer specification and applicable regulations allow it.

Typical Steelflex specifications

A typical Steelflex sling offers a working load limit around 1 t per DGUV Vorschrift 17, is available in useful lengths from roughly 0.5 to 3.0 m, features a black jacket for stage use, has minimal stretch and is often approved up to around 150 °C. This makes Steelflex slings the optimal solution whenever you hang loads over people or need a dependable, low-stretch connection on a truss. If you are unsure whether a textile or a Steelflex sling suits your application, our team is happy to advise you.

Load Capacity, WLL and EN 1492-2 Standards

The working load limit (WLL) tells you how much a round sling may carry safely. Textile round slings are manufactured with a safety factor of 7:1, meaning the breaking force is at least seven times the stated WLL. Capacities range from below 1 t up to 400 t across the market, so there is a suitable sling for both light show equipment and heavy stage structures.

How the hitch changes the capacity

The actual capacity depends heavily on the hitch / attachment method. A sling used in a straight vertical pull carries its nominal WLL; used in a choke hitch, the capacity is reduced; used doubled (in a basket hitch) it can carry more. When two or more legs are used, the inclination angle becomes critical — it should never exceed 60 degrees, because above that the load on each leg rises disproportionately and the effective capacity drops sharply.

Relevant standards

The governing European standard for textile round slings is EN 1492-2. Accessories such as sling hooks are covered by DIN EN 1677, and periodic inspection in Germany follows DGUV Regel 209-061. For rigging over trussing in event technology, DGUV Vorschrift 17 (formerly BGV C1) additionally applies. Polyester and polyamide slings may be used from -40 °C to +100 °C, while polypropylene slings are limited to about +80 °C. Always read the WLL from the identification label and match it to your calculated load and hitch.

Round Sling vs. Webbing Sling: The Comparison

Round slings and flat webbing slings (lifting bands) are both textile attachment devices, but they behave differently in practice. A round sling is endless and extremely flexible, adapting to the contour of the load — ideal for sensitive or irregular loads and for truss segments without fixed attachment points. A webbing sling is a flat band that provides a wider contact surface, which can be an advantage when you want to spread pressure over a broad area.

For most event and rigging tasks the round sling is the more versatile choice, particularly when combined with a steel wire insert. If your load has broad, flat surfaces or you need a fixed-eye configuration, a webbing sling may be the better fit.

Inspection, Discard Criteria and DGUV Care Requirements

A round sling is a safety-relevant attachment device, so care and maintenance are not optional. Before every single use you must carry out a visual check for cuts, tears, jacket damage or exposed load-bearing fibres. In addition, a competent person must perform a regular inspection in line with DGUV Regel 209-061 — typically at least once a year, or more frequently under heavy use.

When a round sling is ready for discard

Discard a round sling immediately when any of the following applies:

• The identification label is missing or no longer legible
• Cuts, tears or thread breaks affect more than 10 % of the cross-section
• The jacket shows holes, for example from heat, sparks or weld spatter
• Load-bearing seams or the jacket stitching are damaged
• Deformation from heat (friction, radiation) is visible
• Damage from aggressive substances such as acids or alkalis is present

Storage and cleaning

Correct storage and cleaning noticeably extend the service life of a round sling. Store slings dry, away from direct sunlight and chemicals, and clean them only with water and mild agents — never with solvents. There is no fixed maximum age for a round sling: what matters is its condition, complete identification and the absence of any safety-relevant defect. A well-maintained sling that passes inspection may remain in service, while a damaged one must be retired at once.

Buying Guide, Accessories and Related Categories

Buying guide: what to look for

When choosing a round sling for event work, don't select on capacity alone. Clarify these points first:

1. Load weight and centre of gravity of the object you lift
2. Attachment method (straight, choke or basket) and number of legs
3. Useful length matched to your truss height and rigging points
4. Edge contact — sharp truss corners or clamps may require protection
5. Fire risk — near pyro or hot fixtures, choose a Steelflex sling
6. Colour — black for stage, silver to blend into aluminium truss

For rigging over an audience on aluminium truss, always factor in DGUV Vorschrift 17 and the required safety margins.

Brands and manufacturers

In our round sling range you find trusted names from the event sector. Riggatec supplies the well-known Steelflex slings with steel wire insert, and our own LTT and Naxpro-Truss hardware is engineered to work seamlessly with them. Alongside these you find quality attachment devices and rigging components that match the load ratings and finish of professional stage setups.

Accessories, sets and edge protection

The right accessories increase both safety and service life. Useful additions include sling hooks per DIN EN 1677, protective sleeves and edge protectors against sharp edges, and ready-to-use round sling sets in various lengths and capacities. Edge protection in particular is essential whenever a sling runs over a truss corner or a hard edge.

Related categories

Round slings rarely work alone. To complete your rigging setup, explore our matching aluminium trussing, our rigging clamps and hooks, and our shackles and steel wire ropes for hanging loads. Combining certified slings with the correct hardware is how you achieve safe, professional and repeatable results on every stage.

LTT – Your Specialist for Event Technology

As a reliable partner for professionals, LTT is more than a dealer: we are a manufacturer with our own production in Germany and over 25 years of experience in event technology. That means the round slings, trussing and rigging hardware you order from us are built to fit together and to perform under real show conditions.

When you buy round slings at LTT, you benefit from fast dispatch from Bocholt, Germany, a 3-year LTT warranty, free shipping from €69 and express delivery on request. We ship worldwide through our international dealer network and offer wholesale conditions for resellers — backed by more than 100,000 positive customer reviews.

Whether you rig a small club stage or a large touring production, our team helps you find the optimal solution and put your setup safely in the spotlight. Round slings are just one part of your rigging chain — combine them with our aluminium trussing and rigging accessories for impressive, dependable results.

FAQ – Questions & Answers