Soft Shackles 101: Uses, Sizing and Care

Soft shackles are loops of high-strength fiber rope closed with a knot. They're light, quiet and kind to your deck. Here's how to use them well.

How they work

The loop passes through what you're attaching, then the knot pops through the eye at the other end. A pull tab or the sleeve helps open it after loading.

Good uses

• Blocks and snatch blocks
• Sail and cover attachment points
• Fenders and flags
• Anywhere a metal shackle rattles or scratches

Not for

Lifting people or overhead loads, climbing, rescue, towing, standing rigging, or anything where failure could hurt someone.

Sizing

Choose a size that fits through the hardware with room to close the knot, and keep loads well below any published breaking strength. Sharp edges and small pins reduce strength a lot.

Care

• Keep the sleeve over any edge contact.
• Keep away from heat sources and chemicals.
• Retire a shackle with flattened, fuzzy or fused fibers, or a knot that won't seat.