Aerial Silks

Aerial silks — also called aerial fabric, tissus or ribbon — are a length of low-stretch fabric rigged from a single point at its midpoint, so both tails hang to the floor. Aerialists climb, wrap, invert and drop on them. Unlike a hammock or sling, the two tails stay separate, which is what makes climbs, footlocks and drops possible.

What to look for when buying aerial silks

• Stretch. Low stretch (under roughly 15% elongation) is predictable underfoot and efficient on climbs. High stretch (over 20%) rebounds more and cushions drops but costs energy. Categories are not standardised between brands, so check the measured percentage rather than the label.
• Fibre. Polyester resists the friction heat of slack drops better than nylon and holds colour longer under UV. Nylon tricot is softer but more heat-sensitive.
• Width. 150 cm (59 in) gathers into a slimmer tail that is easier to grip. 280 cm is common because the same fabric doubles as aerial-yoga hammock material.
• Load ratings. Look for a published Minimum Breaking Strength, a Safety Factor and the resulting Safe Working Load. Most aerialists and riggers work to 10:1, because drops apply shock loads far above body weight.
• Length. Silks fold in half over the rigging point, so the working formula is fabric length = (floor-to-rigging-point height × 2) + 2 m for the tail on the floor.

Aerial Obsessed aerial silks

Our silks are 100% polyester, low-stretch at 9–14% elasticity, 150 cm (59 in) wide, with a Safe Working Load of 150 kg (330 lb), a Minimum Breaking Strength of 1500 kg (3300 lb) and a 10:1 safety factor. Every silk is cut and finished to order in Alicante, Spain, in 14 colours and lengths from 2 m to 12 m, with custom lengths on request. Free worldwide shipping, 14-day returns.

New to rigging? Start with our guide to SWL, MBS and safety factors, then check our rigging hardware.