In July 2026, the world’s best highliners will gather in Laax, Switzerland, for the third edition of the Highline World Championships. Athletes will compete in two disciplines: Speed and Freestyle. While spectators often focus on the athletes, the competition highline setups themselves play a crucial role in shaping the performance of each discipline. So what webbing systems will be used at the 2026 World Championships, and why were they selected?
The Speed Highline Setup: Built for Performance
The speed highline will be 100 meters long and consists of two different webbings:
These two webbings are connected to create a setup that combines comfort, control, and maximum performance. Will one of the athletes break the World Record?
Why PinkTube?
Slacktivity PinkTube is a nylon webbing that has become one of the most widely used highline webbings in the world.
Its dynamic characteristics help soften the overall feel of the setup, making the line more forgiving and comfortable, especially during high-speed runs.
The 10-meter PinkTube section contributes to a smoother balancing experience while preserving the performance characteristics required for elite-level competition.
Why Y2K?
The majority of the line consists of Slacktivity Y2K, a highly static, high-performance webbing designed specifically for long highlines.
Y2K uses UHMWPE fibers to achieve exceptional efficiency and low stretch, making it ideal for long-distance highline applications of several kilometers length.
Unlike most other high-tech webbings, Y2K features a polyester sheath around the core fibers. This provides significantly better grip, making it easier to walk or run on compared to many slippery Dyneema-based alternatives.
The result is a webbing that combines outstanding performance with excellent handling characteristics.
Certified for Highlining
Both PinkTube and Y2K are certified for highlining by the International Slackline Association (ISA).
This certification means that the webbings have undergone independent testing and quality control, providing confidence in their performance and safety.
For an event as important as a world championship, independent certification was an essential requirement during the selection process.
The Freestyle Setup: Designed for Modern Tricks
The freestyle competition will also feature parallel highlines where the athletes will compete in battle mode 1 against 1.
Here, the focus shifts away from speed and toward bounces, rotations, creativity, and technical trick performance.
The trick area will use Slacktivity’s professional TrickZone system. This one is built with halfMarathon and Y2K Light webbings that are sleeved with an LSDTube webbing. Its width of 25mm offers insane precision.
Why Use a Trick Zone?
The Trick Zone serves several important purposes:
- It reduces abrasion on the webbing.
- It protects the setup from heavy trick usage.
- It provides a more comfortable surface for athletes.
These benefits become especially important during high-level freestyle performances where frequent contact with the line is unavoidable.
A Historic First: Bungees Enter the World Championships
For the first time in the history of the Highline World Championships, the freestyle setup will include bungees.
The event will use V5+ bungees from SlackX to create a more dynamic and responsive freestyle experience.
The goal is to maximize the bounce while keeping the „pop“ – the weightless feeling at the top of the bounce. This will allow insane Highline Freestyle tricks.
Currently, bungees cannot be certified for highline use. The certification work is in process though. Slacktivity, SlackX and potentially other competitors will very likely get their bungees certified.
Why Were These Setups Chosen?
The answer is simple: popularity, performance, and accessibility.
PinkTube and Y2K are among the most widely used highline webbings in the world. They are trusted by beginners, experienced highliners, and elite athletes alike. PinkTube has been the first Highline Freestyle Webbing in the world and remains probably the most commonly used Highline Freestyle Webbing up-to-date.
PinkTube remains one of the best entry points into the sport, while Y2K delivers the performance required for long highlines & speed.
Another important factor is accessibility. Many athletes around the world already own and train on these webbings. By choosing such widely used equipment, competitors can prepare on familiar setups without investing in new gear specifically for the event.
Combined with their ISA certification, these factors made PinkTube and Y2K the logical choice for the 2026 Highline World Championships.
Looking Ahead
To newcomers, a highline may appear to be little more than a piece of webbing suspended between two anchors. In reality, every competition setup is the result of countless design decisions balancing safety, performance, accessibility, and athlete experience.
More information about the event & Live Stream
More information about the event can be found on https://hwc2026.ch/
SLACKTIVITY Slacklines co-founder, managing partner and team athlete, Samuel Volery olds multiple highline world records (1900m – September 2019) and has a spectacular and versatile style when performing highline-shows.