In one sense, the idea of slacklines came about out of boredom. During the 1980s climbers at basecamps needed something to do, and since balance plays an integral part in climbing and bouldering, a climbing rope was stretched between two trees to form a type of low-level tightrope. This simple act gave the climbers something to do and helped them to improve their balance overall. Over time, this use of what came to be known as a “slackline” began to become its own sport, with its own specialized equipment. While it’s still more than possible to use a good climbing rope as a slackline, many people prefer to use what is considered the industry standards today.