For more than thirty years, quickdraws, slings, and runners have been made by bar-tacking webbing together, resulting in a hard, inflexible section of the product that has to be managed carefully, adds bulk, chafes easily, and lacks elegance. Seamless technology taps into the potential of rope splicing, in which strong connections are made without sewn seams. This renders a product stronger, lighter, and less bulky than the sewn gear it has made obsolete. Zartman Rigging has developed a line of spliced slings in which the core of load-bearing strands is protected from chafe and UV by a tough, yet supple Dyneema cover. This is then dipped in a colorful, protective rope coating to extend its life even further and provide color options.
Using multiple passes of different diameters of the Bio-based SK99 Dyneema core material, a covered loop or strop of any load rating can be easily engineered, up to 120 tons! This form of loop making was born in the world of sailboat racing close to twenty years ago, and has been in rapid development ever since. Better materials and processes have elevated it to the preferred method of attaching nearly anything and everything on a boat.
Building on this well-established technology, Zartman Rigging has developed a line of climbing gear that reduces the weight and bulk of a climber’s rack. Each piece weighs less than its sewn counterpart, is stronger, and lasts far longer in exposure to the elements and high-wear situations.
Our commitment to sustainability is shown in every aspect of the product: all the Dyneema we use is Bio-based, which re-uses otherwise wasted material from other industries. The polyurethane rope dye which adds UV protection and color to the materials is water-based and nontoxic; all of our packaging is minimal and compostable. But it doesn’t stop there: because Dyneema is far more durable and UV-stable than nylon and polyester products, its replacement interval is longer. Add to that our unique covered construction, which keeps the load-bearing strands from exposure to the elements, and you have gear that will last for many years of use. The only reason to retire a Seamless quickdraw or runner is if the cover is chafed through.
Though the gear may seem expensive at first, once you add up all its value, it becomes a real bargain: imagine bigwall and long free route racks, or the multitude of slings that guides must carry. Now imagine them packing 80% smaller, weighing several pounds less, and giving more versatility. Imagine having your slings last years longer than before. Imagine a rappel device that you can never wear out, and will never corrode. Imagine a static line that weighs less than a quarter of the usual ones and packs half as small with no reduction in strength. Imagine all these made in the USA without sweatshop labor or an oppressed workforce. It’s a sustainability dream come true at a very small additional cost.