Best Weigh Slings and Retention Slings

Korda's Compac Retainer Sling is a full soft-mesh retention sling for holding a carp safely before the scales and camera come out, built on tempered rigid aluminium bars.

Low-profile buoyant supports keep it afloat, metal weighing loops let you weigh in the same sling, and a 6m hi-vis cord stores in its own pocket with a machined stainless bank stick fitting. Reflective markers help you find it after dark.

It suits carp anglers who retain fish for photos often and want fish care first. Next to the Carp Life Eclipse Camo Elite, it has an all-mesh body and a longer cord, while the Carp Life leans on heavy 900D sleeves and four carry handles for very big fish.

To be fair, it's one of the dearer slings in the guide, and its rigid bars don't pack down small. For anglers who retain fish regularly, though, I think it's the best retention sling here.

The Carp Life Eclipse Camo Elite is a heavy-duty 118 x 40 x 62cm retention sling made for UK carp to 50lb+, with a strong, soft mesh body that drains quickly.

Two full-length foam bars ride in reinforced 900D sleeves, heavy dual zips have retaining clips, and four reinforced carry handles share the load. The weighing straps end in fixed metal hoops, and a 5m cord lives in an external pocket.

Big-fish anglers on waters that hold 40lb carp will get the most from it. Next to the Korda Compac Retainer, it brings four reinforced handles and heavier 900D sleeves but a shorter cord, while the Trakker Sanctuary Retention Sling V2 is a simpler, mid-priced option for most UK carp.

To be fair, it's priced near the top and it's bulkier to carry than a slim retainer. For anglers chasing very big carp, though, I think it's a superb heavyweight holder.

Trakker's Sanctuary Retention Sling V2 Standard is a Polymesh and PVC sling for retaining, weighing and handling carp, with full fast-draining mesh and four floats, measuring 115cm long in the Standard size.

Wider bar spacing and a squarer base help the fish swim out on release, and the double-zipped opening keeps it secure. Reinforced weighing straps have fixed loops, double-reinforced handles sit on both sides, and a mesh pocket holds the 5m cord.

Most UK carp anglers will find it covers everything they need. Next to the Carp Life Eclipse Camo Elite, it's lighter on heavy-duty extras but kinder on the wallet, and it's a sturdier, roomier step up from the slim Trakker Sanctuary T1.

To be fair, the 115cm Standard is too short for very big carp, which need the XL. For most UK waters, though, I think it's a solid, sensible choice at a mid-range price.

The Trakker Sanctuary T1 is a slim, quick-draining full-mesh sling for retaining a carp briefly and weighing it, made from 100% polyester.

Full-length slim floats keep it buoyant without bulk, reinforced stitching strengthens the stress points, and strong webbing handles do the weighing and lifting. Soft mesh drains quickly and helps protect the fish, and a retention cord, bankstick attachment, speed clip and carry bag come with it.

Budget-minded and mobile carp anglers will like how small it packs, and the supplied kit means it's ready to use. Next to the Trakker Sanctuary Retention Sling V2, it's slimmer and simpler, while the Korda Compac Weigh Sling is a weigh-only sling that mustn't be used for retaining.

To be fair, its 120 x 22 x 50cm shape gives a big carp less room than wider slings. For anglers who only retain the odd fish, though, I think it's a smart low-cost choice.

Korda's Compac Weigh Sling is a lightweight, quick-drying weigh sling for carp, measuring 120 x 60cm, with drainage holes in its base for accurate readings.

Buoyant foam bars help you move the landing net into the sling as you lift the fish, and metal weighing loops, quick-release zips and cut-out grab handles keep things simple. It comes in Kamo or Olive with a waterproof stink bag.

Anglers who weigh and return their carp straight away will get the most from it. Next to the Trakker Sanctuary T1, it's a dedicated weigh sling rather than a retainer, while the Nash Carp Care Weigh Sling Camo swaps foam bars for an extra-strong aluminium bar and centralising rings.

To be fair, it must not be used to retain fish, so you'll need a separate retainer for photos or short spells in the water. For weighing and returning carp, though, I think it's the best weigh sling here.

Nash's Carp Care Weigh Sling Camo is a sturdy soft PVC weigh sling with an extra-strong aluminium bar, finished in Subterfuge Camo and measuring 116 x 65cm.

Centralising rings help the scales settle before you lift, enlarged drainage holes shed water quickly for an accurate reading, and the reworked base suits carp of all sizes. Heavy-duty locking zips and integrated handles finish it off, and the soft PVC body is easy to rinse after a session.

Anyone who weighs plenty of big fish and wants a firm, steady sling will get on with it. Next to the Korda Compac Weigh Sling, it trades foam bars for aluminium, while the Avid Revolve Weigh Sling is far lighter and packs down slim for mobile sessions.

To be fair, at 945g it's one of the heavier weigh slings in the guide, and it's built for weighing only. For accurate weighing of big carp, though, I think it's a sturdy, dependable choice.

Avid's Revolve Weigh Sling is a light, packable weigh sling in ultra fish-friendly, quick-drying material, weighing 650g and measuring 108 x 57.5cm.

Heavy-duty anti-snag zips, reinforced stitching and central metal eyelets for precise weighing cover the essentials, and integrated cut-outs act as carry handles. Packed in its drawstring bag, it measures 113 x 15 x 8cm.

Mobile and short-session carp anglers will appreciate how little room it takes up. Next to the Nash Carp Care Weigh Sling Camo, it's far lighter, but the Nash's aluminium bar makes it the sturdier sling, while the Korda Basix Weigh Sling floats for in-water transfers at a lower price.

To be fair, it's a weigh sling rather than a retainer, so it won't hold fish in the water, and its 108cm length is on the short side for huge carp. For anglers who travel light, though, I think it's a smart, packable choice.

Korda's Basix Weigh Sling is a traditional nylon sling for getting a carp from the water to the mat and onto the scales, aimed at newcomers and anglers keeping costs down.

It floats, so you can transfer a fish and a rolled landing net in the water, and powder-coated two-piece metal bars, drainage holes and free-running end zips cover the basics. The bars split for storage, and the folded sling fits inside a Basix Cradle mat.

Younger anglers and occasional users will find it easy to get on with. Next to the Avid Revolve Weigh Sling, it floats but uses nylon rather than quick-drying fish-friendly material, while the RidgeMonkey ProCare Retainer Sling weighs and retains for a bigger spend.

To be fair, the nylon body sheds water through holes rather than full mesh. For a first weigh sling on a tight budget, though, I think it's very hard to beat.

RidgeMonkey's ProCare Retainer Sling weighs and holds carp in one polyester body, with aluminium bars, foam floats and dual full-length YKK zips locked by a security clip. The Standard size weighs 470g and copes with carp up to about 60lb.

Heavy-duty straps carry large fixed weighing loops, and there are handles at both ends for the trip back to the water. Free-flow mesh drains fast, while Hi-Viz reflector bands line the fish up with the long front zip at release.

Carp anglers who want one sling from net to photo to release are the natural fit. Next to the Korda Basix Weigh Sling, a nylon weigh sling with drainage holes, it adds free-flow mesh, YKK zips and proper retention. The Nash Failsafe Retainer Sling goes further with a floating corral, but for me the ProCare is the best dual-purpose sling here.

To be fair, it's one of the dearer slings in the guide, and very big carp need the XL size. For anglers who weigh, retain and photograph most of their fish, though, I think it's money well spent.

Nash built the Failsafe Retainer Sling to weigh and retain carp, then its fold-out floating frame unclips in the water to form a retention corral. The Standard is 100cm long, with a 120cm Monster size for bigger fish.

A sculpted profile supports the carp and helps protect its fins, and locking heavy-duty zips keep it inside. Rot-proof cord and a metal thread tie the whole thing to a storm pole or bankstick, with Nash camo mesh throughout.

Self-take photos in the margins are where it earns its place, as a carp that kicks can go straight back into the mesh. Next to the RidgeMonkey ProCare Retainer Sling, it trades simplicity for that corral, while the Fox Carpmaster STR Weigh Sling rolls up compactly but has no frame to unclip.

To be fair, the corral takes a little practice to set up, and it's one of the dearer slings. For anglers who want a safer way to hold a fish for photos in the water, though, I think it's a clever, well-made design.

The Carpmaster STR from Fox is a short-term retention weigh sling with full-length HD foam along both arms. That foam has a slim profile, so the sling floats yet rolls up compactly into its nylon sleeve and stink bag.

Up top, a mesh panel keeps the fish in view, and full-length double zips close with a clip and sit behind zip baffles. Centre-locating steel weighing loops sit between double grab handles at each end, with a 3m cord in an external pocket.

If carryall space is tight, this is the one to look at. Next to the Nash Failsafe Retainer Sling, it gives up the floating corral for a slimmer roll-up design. The NGT XPR Floatation Sling is the cheaper way to weigh and retain, though its 2m rope is shorter than the Fox's cord.

To be fair, the 3m cord is shorter than the 5m cords on several slings in the guide. For mobile carp anglers who want one sling that weighs, retains and packs away small, though, I think it's a well-judged choice.

For a budget sling, NGT's XPR Floatation Sling covers a lot, weighing and holding carp in a large 125 x 35 x 50cm body. A full-length net float keeps it on the surface, and fine mesh in the base drains quickly.

Two removable bars hold it open for water flow, while a double zip and locking clip keep the fish in. Four carry handles, reflective strips, a 2m rope with bank-stick adaptor and a carry case complete the kit.

Newcomers and anglers on a tight budget are the obvious fit. Next to the Fox Carpmaster STR Weigh Sling, it gives up the steel loops and slim roll-up design but costs far less. The Avid Pro-Tect Carp Sack is cheaper again, though a sack only retains, whereas this also weighs, and that makes it the best value pick in the guide.

To be fair, the 2m rope is short, and the fittings are plainer than on dearer slings. For anyone who wants to weigh and retain carp safely without spending much, though, I think it's a smart buy.

Built for safe short-term retention, Avid's Pro-Tect Carp Sack uses soft-touch mesh for maximum airflow. It measures 120 x 75cm open and packs to 28 x 14 x 8.5cm at 330g.

Its heavy-duty anti-snag zip shuts with a fastening clip. The clip-off 5m cord screws into a bankstick via its 3/8in thread, and a safety H-block cord adds a further securing point.

Anyone who already owns a weigh sling and wants light retention kit should look at it. Next to the NGT XPR Floatation Sling, it can't weigh a fish, but it packs down into a small drawcord bag. The Solar Tackle Worldwide Carp Sack XL With H Block is roomier and adds hi-vis parts, but this is the cheaper of the two sacks.

To be fair, a sack only retains, so you'll still need a separate weigh sling. For a light, compact sack that keeps a carp secure for a short spell, though, I think it's a sensible buy.

Solar's Worldwide Carp Sack XL is a roomy 124cm by 86cm retainer made for big carp. It has an integrated high-visibility H-Block and a reflective drawstring, so it's easy to spot in low light.

Large easy-slide zips are made for wet or cold hands, and a Houdini clip system helps prevent escapes. Two pockets stow the drawstring and H-Block when they're not in use, and a dedicated carry bag is included.

It makes most sense for overnight sessions on big-fish waters. Next to the Avid Pro-Tect Carp Sack, it's roomier and far easier to see after dark, while the Avid costs less and has soft-touch airflow mesh. Both only retain, so they pair with a weigh sling.

To be fair, it's the dearer of the two sacks and still needs a separate weigh sling. For night anglers after big carp who want a sack they can find and retrieve easily, though, I think it's a roomy, practical choice.