Slings and cord fall into the "passive protection" category of climbing equipment. Both come in various diameters, lengths and materials. Climbers use sewn or tied slings as extenders for their gear, to connect other passive or active protection to the rope. Sewn slings are also often used as one component of active climbing gear. For example, a sewn sling attached to a camming device allows for some give so that the cam doesn't move out of place when disturbed by a moving rope. Both longer slings (48-inch or tied slings of various lengths) and cord or "cordelletes" (standard: 15 to 17 inches ) are used to create equalized belay stations and rescue systems. Cords are often used directly with other passive protection, such as chocks or hexes, which are subsequently known as slung chocks.
Slings and cord are made of a variety of material, including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (aka Dyneema or Spectra) and Nylon. Dyneema/Spectra became popular in the 1990s. Super strong (i.e., 15 times stronger than steel) and super light, it's durable and resistant to moisture and UV light.
What to Look for
When choosing slings, consider pricing, the weight you want to carry, the width of the sling, and the type of climbing you will be doing. Dyneema and Spectra cost more than nylon, but can really make a difference to alpinists or other climbers wanting to significantly reduce the weight they carry, especially if one purchases the thinnest models. People using slings for top roping should consider wider slings because they are sufficiently strong and also significantly cheaper.
Sport climbers will want to purchase ?quick draws,? which are short (3 to 7 inches), tightly sewn slings with a carabiner on both ends. And traditional climbers and mountaineers should consider purchasing numerous 24-inch (or so) sewn or tied slings because they will need more leeway as they weave around long rock or ice faces.
When choosing cord, it's most important to consider the diameter of the cord. People who top rope might want to get durable cord that has a wider diameter. People who plan to set up a lot of their own anchors while on a multi-pitch climb should choose lighter, slimmer cord.
Common Pitfalls
Dyneema and Spectra are fantastic and have revolutionized the climbing experience in terms of lightening climber loads. However, be careful because when girth hitched tightly (or even knotted) Dyneema or Spectra can cut through itself. Also, buy only nylon for tied slings. Dyneema and Spectra are slippery and so knots can come untied fairly easily. On the other hand, knots on any tied slings should be regularly checked for slippage.
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