The Web Sling Experts
Synthetic web slings are the workhorse of soft-goods rigging — lightweight, flexible, and gentle on finished loads. At SlingCenter we build and stock Liftex® Pro-Edge® web slings, made in the USA since 1955 with edge-protecting technology woven right into the sling body. Whether you need a flat eye & eye sling, a twisted-eye choker, an endless loop, or a heavy-duty reversed-eye sling, we stock the standard sizes and custom-build the exact setup your lift needs. Every sling ships with a legible capacity tag — always lift to the rated load shown on the tag and the product page.
What web slings are made of
Web slings are woven from high-tenacity polyester or nylon webbing. The two fibers behave differently, so the right one depends on your load and environment:
- Polyester — low stretch (roughly 3–7% at rated capacity) so the load stays put; resists most acids; the default for general industrial lifting.
- Nylon — more stretch and shock absorption; resists alkalis and greases, but is weakened by acids and bleaching agents.
Our Pro-Edge® construction builds abrasion resistance into the edges — where slings wear and fail first — without adding a separate sleeve.
Tagging & identification
Every web sling carries a durable tag listing the working load limit (WLL) for vertical, choker, and basket hitches, plus material and manufacturer. A sling with a missing or unreadable tag is out of service — never guess capacity from width or color. Web-sling capacity is not color-coded (that’s round slings); always read the tag.
Proof-test certificates
Need documented proof for a spec or governing body? We provide proof-test certificates (pull-tested to 2× the vertical rating) and material test reports on request — ask at the time of order so each sling is individually tested and documented.
Web sling types (WSTDA)
Web slings are classified by how the ends are finished. Most are known by both a name and a type number, and which hitches each supports matters for your lift:
| Type | Web sling name | Vertical | Basket | Choker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Triangle / Choker (TC) | Y | Y | Y |
| 2 | Triangle / Triangle (TT) | Y | Y | N |
| 3 | Flat Eye & Eye (EE) | Y | Y | Y |
| 4 | Twisted Eye & Eye (TE) | Y | Y | Y |
| 5 | Endless (EN) | Y | Y | Y |
| 6 | Reversed Eye (wide-body) | Y | Y | Y |
| 7 | Reversed Flat Eye | Y | Y | Y |
| 8 | Continuous Wide Eye | N | Y | N |
| 9 | Attached Wide Eye | N | Y | N |
Type 3 — Flat Eye & Eye (EE)
The most versatile web sling: flat loops on both ends, in-line with the body, usable in vertical, choker, and basket hitches. Available 1″–12″ wide in 1–4 ply, and custom-built to spec. Shop flat eye & eye → Want less stretch? See eye & eye polyester round slings.
Type 4 — Twisted Eye & Eye (TE)
Same width and ply options as flat eye & eye, but the eyes are turned 90° to the body so they seat and nest cleanly on a crane hook and pull straight in a choker. The twist doesn’t change the break strength or WLL. Shop twisted eye →
Type 5 — Endless (EN)
A continuous loop with no fittings, formed with a load-bearing splice. Rotate the wear point around the sling to extend service life; works in all three common hitches. Shop endless →
Types 6 & 7 — Reversed Eye (wide-body)
Heavy-duty slings covered with tough wear-pad fabric to resist cutting and abrasion, with eyes standing 90° to the body to prevent twisting. The reversible design lets you flip to a fresh wear surface, doubling service life. Shop reversed eye → See also wide-body web slings.
Bridle, boat & custom web slings
- Bridle slings — 2-, 3-, or 4-leg lifts with the light weight of synthetic webbing. Shop web bridles →
- Boat / marine lifting slings distribute hull weight safely. Shop marine slings →
- Custom builds in 1–3 business days if you don’t see your size. Request a quote →
Choosing the right web sling
- Hitch type (vertical, basket, choker) — use the table above and apply the hitch factor on the tag.
- Width & ply — wider, multi-ply slings carry higher WLL and give a wider bearing surface.
- Eye style — flat eye for versatility, twisted eye for choking and hook seating.
- Length — measure bearing-point to bearing-point; longer legs reduce sling-angle stress.
- Protection — add sling protection anywhere the sling meets an edge or abrasive surface.
Care & maintenance
- Loading: avoid overload, shock load, and unbalanced lifts. As sling angle drops, load on each leg climbs — angles below 30° should be avoided.
- Abrasion & foreign matter: cuts, punctures, and embedded grit reduce strength. Inspect and keep slings clean.
- Light & temperature: prolonged sunlight or arc-welder light stiffens and bleaches webbing; nylon degrades at/above ~194°F. Store dry, out of sunlight.
- Inspect before every use; remove from service for cuts, holes, broken stitching, heat/chemical damage, or an unreadable tag.
Sling protection is required
“Slings in contact with edges, corners, protrusions, or abrasive surfaces shall be protected with a material of sufficient strength, thickness, and construction to prevent damage.” — ASME B30.9
Sharp edges are the number-one cause of sudden synthetic-sling failure. Browse sling protection and cut-resistant sleeves, or step up to a cut-resistant sling.
Standards & design factor
Our synthetic web slings are rated to a 5:1 design factor and built to WSTDA recommended standards; use and inspection follow ASME B30.9 and OSHA 1910.184.
Web sling FAQs
Is a ‘web sling’ the same as a ‘lifting strap’? Yes — the terms are interchangeable for flat woven webbing with sewn eyes or fittings.
Polyester or nylon? Polyester for low stretch and acid resistance (most jobs); nylon for stretch/shock absorption and alkali resistance.
How do I know the capacity? Read the sewn tag — it lists WLL for vertical, basket, and choker. Web-sling capacity is not shown by color.
Do web slings come with hooks? Not usually — pair them with the hooks and shackles that fit your setup, or ask us to build a sling-and-hardware combination.
When should I replace a web sling? On any cuts, abrasion, chemical/heat damage, broken stitching, or a faded/missing tag.
Complete lifting solutions
Web slings aren’t always the right tool. We also stock wire rope slings, chain slings, high-performance Extreema® round slings, and polyester round slings. Not sure what fits? Talk to a rigging specialist — staffed by working riggers, not call-center reps.
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