Loop Products: soft deck hardware for technical sailing applications

Loop Products is a specialist sailing hardware brand focused on rope-related deck equipment, soft attachments and compact load-transfer components. Instead of relying only on traditional stainless steel shackles, pins and fixed metal fittings, Loop Products uses modern fibre connections, hard-anodised aluminium components and Dyneema-based loops to create hardware that is light, strong, compact and practical in high-load sailing environments.

For sailors upgrading running rigging, deck layouts or furling systems, Loop Products is particularly relevant where weight reduction, articulation and soft contact are important. Typical applications include attaching blocks at the mast base, creating removable sheet leads, replacing metal shackles in selected locations, building low-friction control-line systems, connecting furling cables, organising deck leads and reducing hard-metal contact around spars, sails and topsides.

This makes the Loop Products range useful for performance cruising yachts, offshore boats, race boats, multihulls and technically minded owners who want clean, efficient rigging solutions without adding unnecessary mass or complexity.

Main Loop Products range available at Upffront

The Loop Products range at Upffront covers several key hardware groups. Loop Products soft shackles are used as flexible textile connectors for blocks, sheets, control lines, halyards and temporary attachments. Loop Blocks and Power Blocks provide compact sheave-based solutions where a soft attachment can align naturally with the load. Loop thimbles, low friction rings and furling thimbles are used for lashings, control-line deflection and furling cable terminations. The range also includes padeyes, fairleads, deck bushings, sailing dogbones, spliced loops and soft hanks.

This broad product mix means Loop Products should not be treated simply as a soft shackle brand. It is better understood as a soft deck hardware system: a collection of components that can be combined to solve common rigging problems with less metal, lower weight and better load alignment.

Loop Products soft shackles and high-load connectors

Loop Products soft shackles are one of the most common entry points into the range. A soft shackle replaces a conventional metal shackle in suitable applications using a Dyneema loop and locking knot or closure system. The main advantages are low weight, corrosion-free construction, quiet operation, reduced deck damage and the ability to articulate naturally under changing load angles.

When choosing a Loop Products soft shackle, the key specification is not simply diameter. You should also check working load, breaking load, open length, closed length, rope diameter, attachment geometry and the surface condition of the fitting it will bear against. Soft shackles should not be loaded over sharp, burred or unprotected edges. If the attachment point has a narrow stainless tang, rough hole, sharp corner or high point loading, a metal connector, thimble, dogbone or protective interface may be more appropriate.

Loop Products also offers high-load soft shackle options for more demanding applications. These should be selected from the manufacturer’s load data rather than by visual size alone. High-load soft shackles can be useful where the objective is to reduce weight while maintaining a high load capacity, but they still require correct installation, fair loading and regular inspection.

Single vs double Loop Products soft shackles

A standard single soft shackle is often suitable for simple block attachments, control lines and general-purpose soft connections. A double soft shackle can be useful where better load sharing or alignment is required. Because both sides of the loop can contribute to the load path, a double configuration may sit more cleanly around some blocks, padeyes or rings.

However, the choice between single and double should be made according to the actual application. Consider the bearing surface, required articulation, available space, load direction and how often the connection needs to be opened. For a frequently adjusted or exposed connection, ease of handling and inspection may be just as important as maximum strength.

Loop Blocks and soft-connected blocks

Loop Blocks are compact blocks attached by a soft loop rather than a conventional metal shackle. This construction is useful in areas where the block needs to align freely with the load, where deck impact should be reduced, or where a removable lead is required. Common applications include mast-base leads, barber haulers, tweakers, reefing leads, temporary sheet leads, control-line deflection and low-profile deck systems.

Compared with a fixed metal block, a Loop Block can reduce hard contact with the deck or spar and may allow a cleaner lead angle. Compared with a low friction ring, a sheave-based block is normally preferred where the line moves frequently or under significant adjustment, because the rotating sheave reduces friction. A low friction ring or thimble is often better for simpler, more static deflections where compactness and low weight are the priority.

For selection, check sheave diameter, maximum rope diameter, bearing type, safe working load and the attachment method. Ball bearing versions are typically chosen for lower-load, frequently adjusted lines where efficiency matters. Needle bearing or plain-bearing designs may be more appropriate for higher static or semi-static loads, depending on the product specification.

Loop thimbles, furling thimbles, rings and dogbones

Loop Products thimbles and rings are used to create compact, low-friction rope leads and lashing points. They are particularly useful in control-line systems where the line does not need a full block, but still requires a clean bearing surface and controlled bend radius. Typical uses include cascades, purchase systems, barber haulers, inhaulers, lazy jacks, reefing systems and soft attachment points.

Loop Products furling thimbles are more specific. They are used around Code 0, gennaker and cable-based furling systems where the interface between the furler, torsional cable and sail attachment must be dimensionally correct. When selecting a furling thimble, check three things carefully: furler jaw width, pin diameter and torsional cable diameter. A mismatch in any of these dimensions can cause poor alignment, difficult assembly or excessive point loading.

Dogbones are another important part of the Loop Products system. They are compact toggles used with loops, strops and soft attachments. A dogbone can provide a secure closing point while keeping the connection short, clean and easy to inspect.

How to choose the right Loop Products component

The correct Loop Products item should be selected by load case, not just by product family. Start by identifying the function: attachment, deflection, lashing, furling connection, temporary lead or permanent deck fitting. Then check the expected working load, line diameter, bend radius, available space and the type of movement involved.

For a moving line under regular adjustment, a Loop Block may be the most efficient solution. For a compact, mostly static deflection, a thimble or low friction ring may be more suitable. For replacing a metal connector, a soft shackle can work well if the bearing surfaces are smooth and the load path is fair. For furling systems, use a purpose-made furling thimble and confirm dimensional compatibility before installation.

Inspection is also important. Dyneema soft hardware should be checked for abrasion, cuts, glazing, UV degradation, contamination, knot movement and localised wear. Any soft connector showing structural damage should be replaced. This is especially important on high-load running rigging, offshore boats and systems where failure would create a safety issue.

Loop Products FAQ

What does Loop Products make for sailing yachts?

Loop Products makes soft deck hardware and rope-related yacht fittings, including soft shackles, Loop Blocks, thimbles, furling thimbles, padeyes, rings, fairleads, dogbones, spliced loops, deck bushings and soft hanks.

Are Loop Products soft shackles made from Dyneema?

Yes, Loop Products soft shackles use high-performance Dyneema-based rope constructions depending on the model. Always check the individual product specification for fibre type, diameter, working load and breaking load.

Can Loop soft shackles replace stainless steel shackles?

They can replace metal shackles in many suitable applications, but not everywhere. They work best on smooth, rounded bearing surfaces with fair load alignment. Avoid sharp edges, high point loads and fittings that can cut or abrade the rope.

What is the difference between a Loop Block and a low friction ring?

A Loop Block uses a rotating sheave, so it is normally better for lines that move frequently or need efficient adjustment. A low friction ring or thimble is simpler, lighter and more compact, but has more friction than a sheave-based block.

How do I choose a Loop furling thimble?

Match the furling thimble to the furler jaw width, furler pin diameter and torsional cable diameter. These dimensions are critical for correct alignment and reliable load transfer in Code 0 and gennaker furling systems.

Do Loop Products need maintenance?

They need inspection rather than complex maintenance. Rinse with fresh water where appropriate, keep them away from sharp edges and check regularly for abrasion, cuts, UV damage, glazing, damaged stitching or changes in the locking knot or loop geometry.