Synthetic slings are lifting slings made from a synthetic material, such as nylon or polyester. Sometimes also referred to as synthetic rigging slings or synthetic lifting straps, these types of slings are lightweight and flexible and covered with a protective jacket. This rugged woven fabric sleeve not only protects the sling’s fibers, it adds a layer of protection to items being lifted.

Synthetic web slings in polyester are available only in a round sling design (also known as an endless lifting sling) or an eye & eye configuration, and have very little stretch compared to nylon. Polyester synthetic webbing slings are also color coded by capacity for quick identification and can be used in all three hitch types: vertical, basket and choker.

A synthetic web sling in nylon has more stretch than a polyester sling and is also available in a wider variety of configurations, including eye & eye, twisted eye & eye, endless, triangle, triangle choker, reversed eye, attached eye wide and continuous eye wide. Synthetic lifting slings for boats are also available in polyester.

Both polyester and nylon slings are easy to handle and store due to the lightweight fabrication. A synthetic sling is also generally more cost-effective than a chain sling or wire ripe sling, is an excellent choice for a wide variety of general lifting applications.