Independent arborist gear picks · Typical prices shown, checked at the retailer

Representative photo for 5/8 in Wire Core Positioning Flipline Fliplines & Lanyards

Representative photo. Check the retailer listing for the exact model, color and size.
Photo: Fall protection field trials by Western Area Power Admin, CC BY 2.0

Gap Arborist Supply

5/8 in Wire Core Flipline for Positioning

A 5/8 in wire core flipline for removal climbers working around a running saw.

$109 Typical price. Retail prices change, so check today's price before you buy.
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  • 5/8 in diameter
  • Wire core resists chainsaw cuts
  • Positioning lanyard for spar and removal work
  • Pairs with a rated adjuster
  • Stiffer than rope lanyards for flipping around a stem

ClimbingFellingPro grade

A 5/8 in wire core flipline gives removal climbers a positioning lanyard with a steel core that resists chainsaw cuts. It is the lanyard many climbers reach for when they are spurring a spar and making big cuts close to their tie-in.

Why wire core

A rope lanyard can be cut by a running chainsaw in an instant. A wire core flipline has a steel cable inside the rope that resists an accidental cut, which buys real protection on removals where the bar is working close to your lanyard. The extra stiffness also helps the lanyard hold its loop when you flip it up a stem.

The 5/8 in size gives a full grip for flipping and is a common size for removal climbers. Compare other fliplines and lanyards for different lengths and adjusters.

The trade-off is weight and stiffness. A wire core flipline is heavier than a rope lanyard, and it is harder to tie a friction hitch on, so most climbers pair it with a mechanical adjuster rated for it.

Setup and inspection

Use an adjuster rated for the flipline's diameter and construction, and connect to your saddle with rated snaps or carabiners. Wire core is cut-resistant, not cut-proof, so keep the bar away from the lanyard.

Inspect the cover for cuts and the core for kinks, broken wires and corrosion, especially near the eyes. Retire the flipline after any saw contact that reaches the core. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard, be used per ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions, and be inspected before every climb by a trained user.

Store it coiled loosely to avoid kinking the core.