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Slacklining used to require climbing rope, complicated rigging knowledge, and a fair amount of trial and error just to get a line set up between two trees. GIBBON changed that by simplifying the entire sport into an accessible, ready-to-use kit, and in the process became the name most people associate with slacklining worldwide. Here’s a full breakdown of what makes GIBBON different, what it offers, and whether it’s worth buying.
What Is GIBBON?
GIBBON is a German slackline and balance training brand founded in 2007 by Robert, designed in Stuttgart, credited with pioneering the first simplified slackline kits that made the sport accessible to complete beginners rather than just experienced climbers. Before GIBBON, slacklining largely required specialized rigging knowledge and separate purchases of tree protection, ratchets, and webbing, a barrier to entry that kept the activity fairly niche. GIBBON’s simplified, all-in-one kits removed that friction, and the brand has since built what it describes as a passionate, active global community of slackliners spanning from Japan to Brazil.
The company has continued to expand its product philosophy over the years, extending its balance-focused approach beyond outdoor slacklines with the introduction of the GIBBON SlackBoard, later rebranded as the Giboard, bringing balance training indoors. More recently, GIBBON has continued innovating with products like the SlackYard, a free-standing slackline system designed for backyards and parks that doesn’t require trees or permanent anchors. The founding vision behind the company draws inspiration from actual gibbon monkeys, described by the brand as curious, clever, and playful, qualities reflected in both the company’s name and its product philosophy.
What Makes GIBBON Different?
- Pioneer of simplified slackline kits — GIBBON was the first brand to package everything needed to start slacklining into a single, beginner-friendly kit, removing the technical barrier that previously kept the sport niche
- Wide range for different skill levels — from complete beginner lines to trickline and freestyle-specific setups, GIBBON designs products across the full spectrum of slackline experience
- No-tree options — with products like the SlackYard, GIBBON has adapted slacklining for backyards, parks, and spaces without suitable trees for traditional anchoring
- Indoor balance training expansion — the GIBBON SlackBoard/Giboard extends the brand’s balance-training philosophy into a compact, indoor-friendly product suited for fitness, yoga, and everyday balance work
- Community and education focus — GIBBON offers tutorials through a dedicated app and has built an active global community, positioning the brand as an educator and community builder, not just an equipment seller
- Sustainably sourced materials — GIBBON’s balance boards are made using maple wood sustainably sourced in America, reflecting attention to material sourcing alongside product design
What Does GIBBON Sell?
Slackline Kits
The brand’s founding and core product category, offering beginner, trickline, and freestyle slackline kits designed to be set up quickly between two trees without specialized rigging knowledge.
SlackYard
A free-standing slackline system designed for backyards and parks, delivering genuine slackline progression without needing trees, permanent anchors, or complicated setup, addressing a common limitation for anyone without suitable trees nearby.
SlackBoard / Giboard
An indoor balance board designed to train stability, motor skills, and mobility through balancing, jumping, and workout-style movements, featuring more than 50 balance moves and used by both everyday fitness enthusiasts and performance coaches.
Kids’ Slacklines
A dedicated slackline product line designed specifically for children, reflecting GIBBON’s efforts to broaden the sport’s appeal beyond extreme sports enthusiasts to families and younger users.
Accessories
Tree protection, ratchets, and other slackline accessories rounding out the brand’s core equipment offering.
Is GIBBON Good Quality?
GIBBON has built nearly two decades of credibility since its 2007 founding, positioning itself around high-quality, accessible products that work for both hobbyist slackliners in parks and professional slackline athletes. Reviews and testimonials from the brand’s own community consistently highlight product quality and durability, with users specifically describing GIBBON as a brand that has continuously supported the growth of the sport rather than just selling equipment.
The brand’s SlackBoard products are specifically noted for being trusted by world-class athletes and performance coaches, reflecting genuine credibility within serious balance-training and athletic circles, not just casual recreational use. GIBBON’s continued product innovation, from its original simplified kits through newer offerings like the tree-free SlackYard, suggests a company that’s remained responsive to real customer needs and limitations rather than resting on its early pioneering status.
GIBBON’s Balance Training Philosophy
Beyond traditional slacklining, GIBBON has increasingly positioned itself as a broader balance-training brand, extending the core skill of slacklining, dynamic balance and core stability, into products designed for different settings and goals. The SlackBoard’s curved shape is specifically engineered to encourage fluid, natural motion, activating core and stabilizing muscles with every shift in balance, making it a genuinely different training tool than a traditional outdoor slackline while sharing the same underlying balance-focused philosophy.
How Does GIBBON Compare to Other Slackline Brands?
| Feature | GIBBON | Typical Slackline Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007, Stuttgart, Germany | Varies |
| Simplified kits | Pioneer of the category | Often followed GIBBON’s model |
| No-tree options | Yes, SlackYard | Rare |
| Indoor balance products | Yes, SlackBoard/Giboard | Not always offered |
| Kids’ product line | Yes, dedicated kids’ slacklines | Varies |
| Community and app support | Yes, dedicated tutorials and app | Varies |
Tips for Buying GIBBON
- Choose a beginner kit first if you’re new to slacklining, since GIBBON’s simplified kits are specifically designed to remove the learning curve around traditional rigging
- Consider the SlackYard if you don’t have suitable trees for a traditional setup, since it’s designed to work independently of tree anchoring
- Try the SlackBoard/Giboard if you want a compact, indoor balance training option to complement or substitute for outdoor slacklining
- Check the kids’ line if you’re introducing children to the sport, since GIBBON offers products designed specifically for younger users
- Use the brand’s tutorial app to help with proper setup and technique, especially as a beginner
Final Verdict: Is GIBBON Worth Buying?
GIBBON has earned its position as the name most associated with modern slacklining by doing exactly what a category-defining brand should: removing the barriers that kept a great activity niche, then continuously innovating to serve an expanding range of use cases, from backyard fun to professional balance training. With a strong reputation for quality, genuine trust among performance coaches and athletes, and products spanning outdoor slacklines, tree-free systems, and indoor balance boards, GIBBON offers something for nearly every skill level and setting. For anyone curious about slacklining or balance training, GIBBON is a well-established, trustworthy place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded GIBBON? GIBBON was founded in 2007 by Robert, designed in Stuttgart, Germany, and is credited with pioneering the first simplified slackline kits that made the sport accessible to beginners.
What is a SlackYard? The SlackYard is GIBBON’s free-standing slackline system designed for backyards and parks, allowing users to practice slacklining without needing trees or permanent anchors.
What is the GIBBON SlackBoard? The SlackBoard, also called the Giboard, is GIBBON’s indoor balance board designed to train stability, motor skills, and mobility, trusted by both everyday users and performance coaches.
Does GIBBON make slacklines for kids? Yes, GIBBON offers a dedicated line of slacklines designed specifically for children, reflecting the brand’s broader appeal to families, not just extreme sports enthusiasts.
Is GIBBON good for beginners? Yes, GIBBON was specifically founded to simplify slacklining for beginners, offering ready-to-use kits that remove the need for specialized rigging knowledge.
What materials does GIBBON use for its balance boards? GIBBON’s balance boards are made from maple wood that is sustainably sourced in America.
