Lightweight Recovery Gear

BADLAND Soft Shackle

The BADLAND Soft Shackle is a lightweight, high-capacity recovery solution engineered to replace heavy steel shackles. Built from durable UHMWPE, it offers a 47,500 lb. breaking strength in a compact, rust-free design that’s ready for extreme off-road conditions.
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Built for Serious Recovery

Engineered for demanding recovery, the BADLAND Soft Shackle combines advanced materials with practical design features. Its UHMWPE core provides incredible strength, while the abrasion guard and UV coating ensure it stands up to repeated use in harsh environments.
Recovery Made Safer

Lightweight Strength for Any Recovery

Steel-Replacement Strength

The BADLAND Soft Shackle is built from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, giving it a breaking strength of 47,500 lb. This provides the confidence to tackle demanding vehicle recoveries without the weight and danger of steel.

Easy to Carry & Use

At just 0.53 lb., this shackle is easy to carry and store. Its flexible design also eliminates the risk of rusting or seizing threads, ensuring it’s ready to perform whenever you need it on the trail or job site.

Protects Your Straps & Gear

An integrated abrasion guard protects your tree straps, tow straps, and other rigging from wear during high-tension pulls. This thoughtful detail extends the life of your recovery gear and promotes safer setups.

Built for the Trail & Beyond

Whether you’re a weekend off-roader or a professional needing reliable recovery tools, the BADLAND Soft Shackle provides a safer, lighter alternative to steel in a variety of demanding situations.

Vehicle Winch Recovery

Use it as a lightweight, reliable connection point for winch recovery when your vehicle is stuck in mud, sand, or on an obstacle. Its strength and small pack size make it essential for any off-road toolkit.

Tree Trunk Protector Anchor

Secure a tree trunk protector strap to an anchor point during a recovery. The soft material is less likely to damage the tree bark compared to a steel shackle, promoting more responsible trail use.

General Strap & Winch Pulls

Connect recovery straps for pulling another vehicle or helping to load equipment. The shackle’s high working load provides the confidence needed for controlled, high-tension pulls in various scenarios.

Emergency Vehicle Kit Essential

Keep one as a primary or backup connection in your vehicle’s emergency recovery kit. Its small size and zero-maintenance nature mean it’s always ready without taking up valuable storage space.

Worksite Rigging & Pulling

Use it on job sites for pulling, loading, or securing equipment where a strong, lightweight, and rust-proof connection is needed. It handles repetitive use without the maintenance of metal shackles.

ATV/UTV & Light Equipment

Attach it to an ATV, UTV, or small tractor for light-duty pulling tasks around a property or campsite. Its manageable size and strength are perfect for smaller power equipment.
Simple & Effective

How to Use Your Soft Shackle

Hands forming a loop and passing the eye through it on a soft shackle.

Create a Secure Loop

Form a large loop at one end of the soft shackle. Pass the spliced eye through this loop and pull it tight to create a secure, load-bearing connection point that will not slip under tension.
A soft shackle attached to a winch hook on a vehicle.

Connect to Recovery Gear

Attach the shackle to your recovery point, such as a winch hook or frame-mounted shackle mount. Ensure it is fully seated and the knot is tight before applying any load from the winch or another vehicle.
A person inspecting and cleaning a soft shackle after use.

Inspect and Clean

After the recovery, loosen the knot and disconnect the shackle. Inspect it for any signs of abrasion or damage, rinse off dirt, and store it flat or coiled in your recovery gear bag.
Real-World Performance

What Users Are Saying

TrailRider42

I like it so much I gave it to my friend and bought another. This soft shackle works perfectly for my off-roading needs. It is lightweight, making it easy to carry in my truck. Overall, a fantastic product that I wholeheartedly recommend!

MechanicMike

This design came out several years ago and was a great solution for off-road recovery. Harbor Freight does best to take tool innovations and improve the design before offering it at a greatly reduced price. I bought 4 and haven’t lost any sleep over it!

OutdoorPro

Would definitely recommend! These soft shackles are reliable and perform just like the more expensive options available. They work well in a variety of situations. I bought a couple and they have been an excellent investment for my off-road adventures.

ValueHunter

For the price, this soft shackle is great. It’s small enough to store anywhere and has been nothing but reliable when I’ve needed it. Don’t let the small size fool you; this item is made to last!
Your Questions Answered

Soft Shackle Practical Guide

Got questions about using the BADLAND Soft Shackle? We cover the key considerations for evaluating, selecting, and safely using this lightweight recovery tool, from load ratings to long-term care.
The 9,500 lb. working load limit is the maximum force you should apply during normal use. The 47,500 lb. breaking strength is the point of catastrophic failure. Always base your selection on the working load to maintain a proper safety margin for vehicle recovery.
The soft shackle is constructed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with a protective UV-resistant coating. This material is highly durable, resistant to abrasion, and will not rust, but it should be protected from sharp, high-heat contact and direct flame.
Yes, the included abrasion guard is designed to protect tree straps, tow straps, and other rigging from wear at the connection point. Its use is recommended to prevent fraying and extend the life of all your recovery equipment.
After use, rinse the shackle with fresh water to remove dirt and debris, then allow it to air dry completely. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight when not in use to maximize the lifespan of the UV-resistant coating.
A soft shackle is an excellent lightweight and safe alternative to a steel shackle for many recovery scenarios, especially as a tree trunk protector anchor. It is ideal for users prioritizing weight savings and convenience, but always ensure it is rated for your vehicle’s recovery needs.
With a 7/16 in. rope diameter and a rated working load of 9,500 lb., this shackle is equivalent in strength to a 3/4 in. steel shackle. It is suitable for recovering most SUVs, trucks, and other off-road vehicles within its weight class.
Complete Your Recovery Kit

More from Badland

Explore more recovery solutions and off-road accessories from Badland to build a complete, capable kit for your vehicle. Find the right winch, straps, and mounts to match your soft shackle.