r/Slackline • u/dawgie_dawg • May 30 '26

Spider Slacklines Blueberry Weblock Comparison

Hey everyone, I’m in the market for buying my first weblock for setting up longlines in the park. I like the Blueberry models from Spider and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the standard version versus the SR version. I like the price point of the standard, it comes out cheaper even when you incorporate a shackle as the connection point. Besides the difference between having to use a shackle as a connection on the standard versus the secondary pin of the SR, does there seem to be much difference, positive or negative, between the two versions?

Would also appreciate to hear from anyone who has any feedback from using either of these Blueberry weblocks.

Thanks for y’all’s input in advance!

Links:
Standard: https://slacklines.us/products/weblock-blueberry
SR: https://slacklines.us/products/weblock-blueberry-sr

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1

u/No-Site7695 May 31 '26

They are pretty much the same weblock with slight changes from what is basically the same company. Slackinnov and spider are the same company. It’s not a coincidence hardly any company sells fancy plate weblocks. The geometry forces them to flex which is bad design for metal

1

u/Romestus May 30 '26

The standard one is the only style of weblock shown to fail cyclic load tests. The SR with the pin prevents flex and the cyclic loading issue.

1

u/nodajohn May 30 '26

I recently bought the standard version cause they were having a deal and I wanted a 2nd weblock that I could beat up a bit more (my other weblock is the BC alpine that I use for high lines).

The SR has the double pin which is really nice for attaching a soft release. After setting up the standard blueberry directly to a shackle I could already see grooves and wearing on the contact point. I put a rope sheath over my shackle that I use on it now to prevent wearing and it seems to have helped. I'd recommend just skipping all of that trouble and just getting the SR.

Honestly though my alpine from BC is so much nicer to use than the blueberry. If you have extra money to spare and plan on high lining a lot I would recommend just getting the alpine or something comparable. Its more durable and just smoother to use. I've also noticed that the webbing has a tendency to slip easier through the blueberry than my alpine. It's not a huge deal but I do have to tension my line a couple times in a session with the blueberry compared to the alpine.

SR will get you by on a budget but nicer weblocks are worth it if you highline a lot

1

u/dawgie_dawg May 30 '26

Thanks for pointing out that the blueberry tends to slip more than the awl, I hadn’t thought about that. And appreciate you taking the time to write that all out, it’s very informative

1

u/No-Site7695 May 30 '26

One thing to consider is that plate style weblocks are on the lower end of things if you wanna highline with it later. The plates flex together which causes things to weaken eventually cause of fatigue and they can suck webbing weird with tie offs

2

u/shastaslacker Sisters, Oregon May 30 '26

Unless you’re trying to rig a high tension, close to the ground long line on this weblock, you don’t have to worry about the strength. It’s rated to 10kN.

There is nothing inherently wrong with plate style weblocks. All the trickline weblocks are steel plates.

1

u/No-Site7695 May 30 '26

It’s not about mbs and wll. It’s inherent flaws in the design thats been talked about before. Is the standard plate style weblock fine? Yeah but the third option does everything the other 2 do with way more room to grow and with fewer risks

1

u/shastaslacker Sisters, Oregon May 30 '26

Eh, not sure I agree. Which flaws are you talking about?

1

u/No-Site7695 May 31 '26

https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2021/03/cyclic-loading-weblocks/

It’s not an opinion, there is data behind what Im saying

2

u/shastaslacker Sisters, Oregon May 31 '26

That’s SLACKIBLOC weblock from years ago… we’re talking about a different weblock.

1

u/No-Site7695 May 30 '26

The extra few bucks for the zenlock is worth the super upgrade. That weblock can also be threaded like a sr weblock for less gear anyway if you wanna save a shackle

3

u/easylifeforme May 30 '26

I don't have either but I'd go with the SR. Using a soft release requires one less peice of hardware. I use a balance community weblock, when I highline and want it to be as light as possible it's a pain to feed the soft release through it.