Best Throw Line Kits for Arborists and Tree Work

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated October 10, 2026

Last Updated: October 10, 2026

For most arborists, the best throw line kit overall is the Notch Deluxe ThrowLine Kit. It is the only kit in this roundup that ships two separate throwlines — 180 ft of 2.2 mm and 180 ft of 1.75 mm — plus three throw weights and a folding cube, which means it covers both delicate, high, slick-line work and heavier low-line work without a second purchase. It suits working climbers who set a line most days and want one box that handles everything from a 30 ft backyard removal to a 90 ft first throw in a spreading oak. If you are buying your first kit for occasional storm cleanup or a handful of removals a year, the FORESTER Arborist Throw Line Kit gives you an explicit 166 ft polyester line and a 15 oz weight for a budget-tier outlay. And if your problem is not the kit but the throw — tall, dense conifers where hand throwing fails repeatedly — the DTX Tooling air-powered launcher is the specialist answer. Everything below is organised by how much line you actually need, what weight suits your canopy, and how well each kit keeps that line from turning into a bird’s nest.

Top 3 Picks

Best overall: Notch Deluxe ThrowLine Kit. Two throwlines in different diameters, three throw weights and a folding cube in one package makes it the most versatile kit here, and the dual-diameter setup lets you match line to canopy instead of compromising. Best for climbers who set lines several times a week and want a single kit that scales from pruning to removal work.

Best budget: FORESTER Arborist Throw Line Kit. A clearly stated 166 ft of ultra-slick 100% polyester rope paired with a 15 oz throw weight covers the majority of residential work without guesswork. Best for homeowners, apprentices and occasional users who want real numbers on the label rather than vague “complete kit” claims.

Best for the hardest first throws: DTX Tooling Throw Line Launcher Kit. An air-powered shoulder launcher with adjustable pressure from 30 to 110 PSI takes over when hand throwing keeps falling short in dense or very tall canopies. Best for crews working tall conifers, tight deadwood or anything where ten failed throws a day is a real labour cost.

Quick Comparison

Product	Best for	Key specs	Price tier
FORESTER Arborist Throw Line Kit	First kit / occasional use	15 oz throw weight; 166 ft ultra-slick 100% polyester rope	Budget
Notch Throwline Starter Kit (32395)	Organised starter setup	Folding cube; throwline; 2 throw bags	Premium
Aystkniet Arborist Throw Line Kit	Low-cost kit with storage	Slick polyester rope; 16 oz throw weight; reflective storage bag	Budget
LOYIM 3 Pcs Throw Line Equipment and Cube	Cube-first buyers	Three-piece kit built around a cube; black	Mid-range
DTX Tooling Throw Line Launcher Kit	Tall / dense canopies	Air-powered shoulder launcher; adjustable 30–110 PSI; 40 ft launch baseline	Premium
X XBEN Arborist Throw Line Kit	Cheapest complete kit	Slick rope; throw weight; reflective storage bag	Budget
Weaver Arborist Throw Line & Weighted Bag Kit	Climbing-gear buyers	Throw line plus weighted bag; climbing-gear focused	Mid-range
WISEROOT Arborist Throw Line Kit	Budget all-in-one	Throw weight; slick rope; storage bag	Budget
MGP SUPPLY Throw Line Cube & Kit	Line management	Durable, collapsible storage cube plus line kit	Premium
LOYIM 4 Pcs Arborist Throw Line Kit	Spare-weight flexibility	Throw weight; rope; storage bag; four-piece set	Mid-range
SOB Arborist Throw Line Kit	Height coverage	Slick rope 197 ft; throw weight; reflective storage bag	Mid-range
Notch Deluxe ThrowLine Kit	Two-line versatility	Folding cube; 180 ft × 2.2 mm and 180 ft × 1.75 mm throwlines; 3 throw weights	Premium

How We Chose

Every kit here was assessed on published specification, not on hands-on use. The first filter was spec transparency: does the listing actually state a line length, a line diameter, a weight in ounces and a material? Kits that name their numbers — FORESTER’s 166 ft and 15 oz, SOB’s 197 ft, Notch’s 180 ft in two diameters — rank higher than kits whose descriptions stay vague, because you cannot match a throw line to a 70 ft crotch if you do not know how much line you are buying.

The second filter was category completeness and the upgrade path. A useful kit needs three things: line, weight and a way to manage the line between throws. Kits that include a cube or a purpose-built bag reduce the single most common cause of wasted time — tangled line — so they were weighted accordingly. Kits that cover only part of the job were judged on how cheaply and easily the missing piece can be added.

Third, we looked at fit for real tree work: whether the weight sits in a usable band for the heights most climbers actually throw, whether line diameter suits the intended canopy type, and whether wear items such as throw weights, cube zippers and line coating are replaceable without rebuying the whole kit. Price tier was the final tiebreaker, never the leading criterion.

1. FORESTER Arborist Throw Line Kit – Best for Budget-Minded First Kits

This is the kit to buy when you want a known quantity rather than a mystery box. The listing states the two numbers that matter most — 15 oz for the throw weight and 166 ft for the rope — and names the material as ultra-slick 100% polyester. That combination puts it squarely in the working range for residential and light commercial tree work: a 166 ft line comfortably covers a crotch height of roughly 50 to 65 ft once you allow for the tail you need to work with on the ground, which is where the large majority of pruning and removal jobs sit.

The 15 oz weight is deliberately at the heavier end of the common range. Heavier weights punch through small twig unions and hold their line better in a crosswind, which is exactly what a less experienced thrower needs — a lighter weight demands a more accurate release and a cleaner gap. The trade-off is that a heavy weight pulls back harder and is more likely to jam on the way down through a tight crotch, so you need to keep your back-cut side clear and avoid dragging the weight back through bark crevices.

Polyester is the pragmatic choice at this price tier. It is not as slick as the coated high-modulus lines and it stretches more under load, but it is tough, highly visible in bright colourways, and cheap enough that replacing a worn line does not sting. If you throw most days, expect the slick finish to dull over a season of use; a light silicone treatment and keeping the line out of grit will stretch that out considerably. The listing centres on the line and the weight, so if you want cube-style line management, budget for a cube separately or plan to flake the line on a tarp or in a bucket.

Key specs

• Throw weight: 15 oz (heavy end of the standard band)
• Line length: 166 ft
• Line material: 100% polyester, ultra-slick finish
• Best suited to: crotch heights roughly 40–65 ft
• Tier: budget

Pros

• Explicit, checkable specs — you know exactly what arrives
• 166 ft of line covers most residential work with tail to spare
• 15 oz weight is forgiving for newer throwers and windy days
• Polyester line is inexpensive to replace when it wears
• Low entry cost leaves budget for a cube or a second weight

Cons

• Polyester stretches more and is less slick than coated high-modulus line
• No cube or line-management system in the headline spec
• Single weight means no tuning between light and heavy throws
• Heavier weight can jam more easily in tight, rough-barked unions

How it compares: Against the WISEROOT and Aystkniet kits, FORESTER’s advantage is disclosure — it tells you the length and the weight, while those listings lead with the bag and the weight and leave line length less clearly stated. The Aystkniet kit’s 16 oz weight is a fraction heavier and it adds a reflective storage bag, which is genuinely useful for keeping line out of grit; if you value the bag over knowing the exact line length, that is the closer call. Against the X XBEN kit, FORESTER asks you to buy a management solution separately but gives you more certainty about what the line will do.

2. Notch Throwline Starter Kit – Best for an Organised Starter Setup

Notch builds this kit around the part of throw line work that trips people up most: keeping the line under control. The package pairs a folding cube with a throwline and two throw bags, which means you get two weights to work with from day one rather than one. Two weights is not a luxury — it is the single cheapest upgrade to your success rate, because a lighter bag is easier to place accurately through a clean union while a heavier bag is what you reach for when the first three attempts fall short or the wind is moving your line around.

The folding cube is the real reason to consider this kit. A cube holds the line in a loose, uncompressed coil, and when you lift it out the line pays out without the loops that turn into knots. Anyone who has spent ten minutes untangling a line that was stuffed into a bag understands the value immediately. The cube also gives the line somewhere to live between jobs, which matters more than most people expect: line that sits in a dirty truck bed or on damp ground picks up grit that abrades the coating and shortens its life.

Notch is an established arborist brand, and this kit sits in the premium tier because you are paying for the organisation system as much as for the cordage. The two throw bags give you a genuine spread of weights in the common light-to-medium band, so you can match the bag to the canopy rather than forcing one weight to do everything. If your work is mostly mid-height pruning with occasional removals, this kit covers it without further spending.

The limitation is scale. The starter designation is honest: the line length in this kit suits mid-height work well, but if your regular jobs include tall conifers or very high first anchors, you will eventually want a longer line. That is not a flaw so much as a stage — this is the kit that teaches you what you actually want before you spend premium money on the deluxe package.

Key specs

• Folding cube for line storage and tangle-free payout
• One throwline (confirm length and diameter on the spec sheet)
• Two throw bags — a light/medium spread for tuning throws
• Brand: Notch, established arborist equipment maker
• Tier: premium

Pros

• Cube included, which removes the most common source of frustration
• Two throw bags let you tune weight to canopy and wind
• Cube doubles as clean, dry storage between jobs
• Established arborist brand with a support and spares ecosystem
• Complete enough to use straight out of the box

Cons

• Premium price for what is, in cordage terms, a modest amount of line
• Single line means one diameter to work with
• Line length suits mid-height work rather than tall first anchors
• Cube zips and mesh are the wear points and will need care over time

How it compares: The nearest alternative in this list is the Notch Deluxe ThrowLine Kit, and the difference is breadth rather than quality. The starter kit gives you one line, two bags and a cube; the deluxe kit gives you two lines in different diameters, three weights and the same style of folding cube. If you are unsure whether you will stick with climbing, the starter kit is the sensible entry. If you already know you set lines weekly and you want to stop making compromises, skip straight to the deluxe package and save the intermediate purchase.

3. Aystkniet Arborist Throw Line Kit – Best for Low-Cost Kit with Storage

Aystkniet’s kit targets the buyer who wants everything in one purchase at the lowest sensible cost. The listing names a slick polyester rope, a 16 oz throw weight and a reflective storage bag. That is a complete, workable setup: line, weight and somewhere to put them. The 16 oz weight sits at the heavy end of the standard band, which makes it a good match for thick canopies and for throwers who are still developing accuracy, since a heavier bag needs less precision to reach the target.

The reflective storage bag is a small detail that pays off in practice. Reflective trim makes the bag findable in a truck bed at dusk, and the bag itself keeps the line away from grit and moisture between uses. If you work from a vehicle and juggle multiple kits, that matters more than it sounds. It is not a substitute for a cube — a bag holds line in a tighter, more compressed coil, which is more prone to developing loops — but for occasional users the difference is manageable if you flake the line carefully on the ground before packing.

Polyester rope at this tier is tough, visible and cheap to replace. It stretches more than high-modulus line and its slick finish wears down with abrasion, so expect to treat it as a consumable over a few seasons of regular use. The 16 oz weight is a good general-purpose choice but it is a single weight, so you cannot drop to something lighter for delicate work in fine-branched trees. That is the main functional compromise at this price.

Where this kit makes sense is as a first kit, a spare kit kept in a second vehicle, or a loaner for ground staff. It is not the kit a full-time climber reaches for every morning, but it is a perfectly serviceable one for the work most people actually do.

Key specs

• Throw weight: 16 oz
• Line: slick polyester rope (confirm length on the spec sheet)
• Reflective storage bag included
• Best suited to: occasional use, spare kit, mid-height work
• Tier: budget

Pros

• Complete setup — line, weight and storage in one purchase
• 16 oz weight performs well in thick canopies and wind
• Reflective bag is easy to find and keeps line clean
• Very low cost relative to what you receive
• Good second kit to keep in another vehicle

Cons

• Line length and diameter are less clearly stated than on FORESTER’s kit
• Single weight removes the ability to tune by canopy
• Bag-style storage is more tangle-prone than a cube
• Polyester slick finish dulls with heavy use

How it compares: The direct rival is the WISEROOT kit, which is built on the same formula — weight, slick rope, storage bag — at the same tier. The meaningful differences are the weight (Aystkniet’s 16 oz versus WISEROOT’s stated weight class) and the reflective bag, which Aystkniet calls out explicitly. Against the FORESTER kit, Aystkniet adds storage but gives up some specification clarity on the line. If you want a bag in the box and you are comfortable confirming the line details yourself, this is the better buy; if you want the numbers stated up front, FORESTER wins.

4. LOYIM 3 Pcs Arborist Throw Line Equipment and Cube – Best for Cube-First Buyers

LOYIM’s three-piece kit is the mid-range option for someone who has decided that line management is the priority. The listing describes a three-piece set for tree work built around a cube, in black. That framing tells you the kit’s centre of gravity: the cube is the anchor component, with the line and the throw weight completing the set. If you have ever spent a job site’s worth of time untangling line, the appeal is obvious.

The three-piece structure is worth thinking through. A cube, a line and a weight is the minimum viable kit — everything else is refinement. That means this set is aimed at someone who wants a clean, single purchase that covers the job without extras they will not use. The mid-range tier reflects the cube’s build quality and the general finish of the components rather than any exotic cordage.

One thing to verify before buying: the listing name does not state the line length or the throw weight in ounces. Both numbers vary across kits in this class, and both matter enormously. A line in the 150–180 ft range covers the vast majority of residential and light commercial work; a weight in the 10–14 oz band is the general-purpose choice, while 14–16 oz suits high first throws and thick canopies. Check the spec sheet for both figures before you commit, because a kit with a 100 ft line and a 20 oz weight would be a very different tool from one with 180 ft and 12 oz.

Where this kit earns its place is as a tidy, self-contained setup for a climber who values order. A cube plus line plus weight, all in black, is a professional-looking package that packs down small and lives neatly in a gear bag. It is the sort of kit that suits someone stepping up from a budget bag-based setup and wanting the cube experience without paying the top-tier price for a two-line deluxe package.

Key specs

• Three-piece set: cube, throw line, throw weight
• Colour: black
• Cube-based storage and payout
• Confirm line length and weight on the spec sheet before buying
• Tier: mid-range

Pros

• Cube included, which is the biggest single upgrade to tangle resistance
• Three-piece format covers the essentials with nothing superfluous
• Mid-range pricing sits between budget bags and premium two-line kits
• Compact, tidy storage that suits a gear bag
• Clean, understated look that holds up on professional job sites

Cons

• Line length and throw weight are not stated in the listing name
• Single line and single weight, so no tuning options
• Less specification transparency than the budget FORESTER kit
• Mid-range price without the premium cordage of the top tier

How it compares: The obvious comparison is LOYIM’s own four-piece kit, which adds an extra component to the set. The three-piece version is the leaner purchase: if the extra piece in the four-piece set is a second weight or an additional line, it is worth the step up, because two weights genuinely improve your success rate in mixed canopies. If you already own weights you like, the three-piece cube set is the smarter buy. Against the Notch starter kit, LOYIM asks less money but gives up the brand ecosystem and the clarity of a named second throw bag.

5. DTX Tooling Throw Line Launcher Kit – Best for Tall and Dense Canopies

This is not a throw line kit in the conventional sense — it is a solution to the problem that makes conventional kits fail. The DTX Tooling launcher is an air-powered shoulder-fired device that propels a line into the canopy, with adjustable pressure from 30 to 110 PSI and a stated launch baseline of 40 ft. Instead of relying on arm speed and a clean gap between branches, you set a pressure, aim, and put the line where you want it. For tall conifers, tight deadwood and heavily suppressed crowns, that changes the economics of a job.

The pressure adjustment is the key feature. At the lower end of the 30–110 PSI range you get gentle, controllable launches suitable for shorter sets and finer targets; toward the upper end you get the force needed to punch a weight through a dense crown or reach a high first anchor. Being able to dial that in matters because the failure mode of an overpowered launch is a weight buried in a tangle of twigs, and the failure mode of an underpowered one is a dozen wasted attempts. The 40 ft baseline in the listing is the starting point of the advertised range; check the spec sheet for the top figure and for what determines it, since pressure setting and projectile weight both play a role.

Who this suits is a working crew, not a homeowner. If you set one line a month, the cost and the storage and the air supply are hard to justify. If you set lines daily and routinely lose ten to twenty minutes per tree to failed hand throws, the launcher pays for itself in recovered labour remarkably quickly. It is also the tool for the jobs where hand throwing is genuinely unreliable: a 90 ft first anchor in a wind-exposed conifer is a different proposition when you can pressurise the launch instead of hoping for a perfect release.

This is a specialist instrument and should be treated as one. It complements a conventional kit rather than replacing it — you still need a cube or bag to manage the line once it is over the limb, and you still need weights for the short, delicate sets where a launcher is overkill. Plan for it as an addition to your kit, not a substitute for it.

Key specs

• Type: air-powered shoulder launcher
• Adjustable pressure: 30–110 PSI
• Stated launch baseline: 40 ft (confirm upper range on spec sheet)
• Best suited to: tall, dense or hard-to-reach canopies
• Tier: premium

Pros

• Solves the tall-canopy problem hand throwing cannot reliably solve
• Adjustable 30–110 PSI range covers delicate and heavy launches
• Recovers significant labour time on high first anchors
• Removes dependence on perfect release technique
• Useful in wind and in dense crowns where gaps are rare

Cons

• Highest cost in this roundup, and it is one component of a kit, not the whole kit
• Needs an air supply and a storage plan
• Overkill for low and mid-height work
• Still requires line management and weights alongside it

How it compares: There is no like-for-like alternative in this list; the nearest functional comparison is the Notch Deluxe kit, which solves height coverage with more line and more weights rather than with propulsion. Those are genuinely different strategies. A deluxe two-line kit is the right answer if your throws mostly succeed and you just need the right cordage for each canopy. The launcher is the right answer if your throws fail — if the limitation is the throw itself, no amount of extra line fixes it.

6. X XBEN Arborist Throw Line Kit – Best for the Cheapest Complete Setup

X XBEN’s kit is the entry point of the entry points. The listing names a slick rope, a throw weight and a reflective storage bag, which is the complete minimum: something to throw, something to throw it with, and something to keep it in. It is aimed at buyers who need a functional throw line setup and want to spend as little as possible getting one, whether that is a first kit, a backup, or a spare set for a second truck.

The reflective storage bag is a thoughtful inclusion at this price. It keeps the line out of dirt and off wet ground, which is the fastest way to destroy a slick coating, and the reflective trim makes it easy to locate in low light. It is a bag rather than a cube, so you should plan to flake the line out carefully before each throw rather than relying on the container to keep it separated. That is a technique issue, not a product flaw, but it is the difference between a smooth set and a knot.

As with the other budget kits in this roundup, the listing does not foreground a specific line length or weight in ounces. That is normal at this tier and it is not a reason to avoid the kit, but it is a reason to check the spec sheet before you buy. What matters is that the line lands in a useful range — roughly 150 ft or more if you want to cover typical residential heights with a working tail — and that the weight sits somewhere in the 10–16 oz band. If both figures are in range, this kit will do the job.

Buy it with clear expectations. The line is polyester-class cordage that will stretch under load and lose its slickness over a season or two of hard use; the weight is a single fixed option, so you cannot tune between delicate and heavy throws; and the bag is not a cube. In exchange you get a complete, usable kit for less than almost anything else here. For a first kit or a spare, that trade is easy to accept.

Key specs

• Slick rope (confirm length and diameter on spec sheet)
• Throw weight included
• Reflective storage bag for line and weight
• Best suited to: first kits, spares, light occasional use
• Tier: budget

Pros

• Lowest-cost complete kit in this roundup
• Reflective bag keeps line clean and findable
• Line, weight and storage all included
• Cheap enough to keep as a permanent spare
• Simple, no features to fail

Cons

• Line length and weight not stated in the listing name
• Bag storage is more tangle-prone than a cube
• Single weight limits tuning
• Polyester line will need replacing sooner under heavy use

How it compares: Against Aystkniet and WISEROOT, the three budget kits are variations on one formula. X XBEN is the leanest on stated specification; Aystkniet calls out a 16 oz weight and a reflective bag; WISEROOT leads with a throw weight, slick rope and storage bag. If price is the only variable that matters, X XBEN is the pick. If you want at least one hard number to anchor your decision, the FORESTER kit’s 166 ft and 15 oz are worth the small step up in cost, because you know exactly what you are getting before it arrives.

7. Weaver Arborist Throw Line & Weighted Bag Kit – Best for Climbing-Gear Buyers

Weaver is a long-established name in arborist and leather goods, and this kit is aimed at the buyer who already trusts the brand’s climbing gear and wants a throw line set that fits the same ecosystem. The listing describes a throw line paired with a weighted bag, which is the classic two-part formula: cordage plus a bag heavy enough to pull the line down through the canopy once it is over the limb.

The weighted bag approach has real advantages over a bare weight. A fabric bag filled with shot or sand tends to ride over bark rather than catch on it, which reduces the risk of a jam in a rough-barked crotch, and it is softer if it swings back toward you on a failed throw. The trade-off is that a bag holds moisture and dirt if you leave it on the ground, so it needs to live in a bag or cube between jobs. Look after it and it will outlast several replacement weights.

Because this is a mid-range kit from an established brand, the appeal is less about headline specs and more about consistency and support. Buyers in this tier are usually past the stage of buying the cheapest option and want gear that behaves the same way every time, with spares that are easy to source. That is the real argument for Weaver here: the components are conventional, which means replacements and upgrades come from a well-populated market rather than from a single seller.

The kit is a good fit for a climber who already owns Weaver gear, for someone who prefers a fabric weighted bag to a hard weight, and for anyone who wants a no-drama mid-range setup rather than the cheapest thing available. It is less compelling if you specifically want a cube in the box, since the listing centres on the line and the bag.

Key specs

• Throw line plus weighted bag
• Weighted bag design — rides over bark rather than catching
• Established arborist brand with a broad spares market
• Confirm line length and diameter on the spec sheet
• Tier: mid-range

Pros

• Well-known brand with long-standing arborist presence
• Weighted bag design reduces jams on rough bark
• Conventional components, easy to replace and upgrade
• Soft bag is friendlier on a failed throw that swings back
• Mid-range price without premium-tier outlay

Cons

• No cube included, so line management is on you
• Fabric bags absorb dirt and moisture if neglected
• Single weight and line, no tuning options
• Less explicit spec detail than the budget FORESTER kit

How it compares: The nearest alternative is the LOYIM four-piece kit, which takes the opposite approach: instead of a premium-brand line and weighted bag, it gives you more components for similar money. If you want brand consistency and a bag that rides bark cleanly, Weaver is the better choice. If you want the maximum number of usable parts and you are happy to supply your own storage, the LOYIM set covers more ground. Against the Notch starter kit, Weaver asks for less money but does not include the cube that makes the Notch kit so pleasant to use.

8. WISEROOT Arborist Throw Line Kit – Best for Budget All-in-One Coverage

WISEROOT’s kit is another entry in the budget all-in-one category: a throw weight, a slick rope and a storage bag, packaged as a single purchase. It is designed for the buyer who wants one click, one box, and a working setup at the door — no separate shopping for line, weight and bag. That is a legitimate need, and this kit answers it.

The formula is sound. A slick rope pays out better than an uncoated one, which means fewer tangles and more consistent throws. A storage bag keeps grit off the line, which is the single most effective way to extend a polyester line’s working life. And a throw weight in the standard range is all you need to get a line over a limb, provided it is heavy enough to pull the line down cleanly on the far side. The kit does not try to be clever, and that is a point in its favour at this tier.

What to check before buying is the same thing you should check on every budget kit: the line length and the weight in ounces. Neither is foregrounded in the listing name, and both determine whether the kit suits your trees. A line of 150 ft or more covers the vast majority of residential work; anything under about 120 ft will leave you short on tall jobs once you account for the tail you need on the ground. A weight in the 10–16 oz band is general purpose; lighter weights suit accurate, low throws and heavier ones suit high first anchors and wind.

This kit suits the same buyer as the other budget sets: a first-time buyer, a groundsperson building a personal kit, or anyone who wants a spare set that lives in a second vehicle. It is not a kit that a full-time climber will choose as a primary, because the single line and single weight cannot be tuned to different canopies, and the bag is not a cube. But as an entry point or a backup, it does exactly what it says.

Key specs

• Throw weight included
• Slick rope (confirm length and diameter on spec sheet)
• Storage bag for line and weight
• Best suited to: first kits, spares, occasional work
• Tier: budget

Pros

• All-in-one purchase with no extra shopping needed
• Slick rope reduces friction and tangling
• Storage bag protects the line from grit and damp
• Very low cost
• Simple kit with nothing to break or adjust

Cons

• Line length and weight not stated in the listing name
• Single line and single weight, no tuning
• Bag rather than cube for line management
• Polyester cordage has a finite working life under daily use

How it compares: WISEROOT, Aystkniet and X XBEN occupy almost the same ground, and the deciding factor is specification transparency. Aystkniet names a 16 oz weight and a reflective bag, which gives you one hard number to work from. FORESTER goes further, naming both the length and the weight, at a slightly higher cost. If you are choosing between the three budget all-in-ones, buy whichever states the most numbers — that is the one whose behaviour you can predict before it arrives.

9. MGP SUPPLY Throw Line Cube & Kit – Best for Line Management

MGP SUPPLY’s kit leads with the cube, and that is the right way round for a certain kind of buyer. The listing describes a durable, collapsible storage cube for organising throw line, sold as a kit. If your problem has never been the throw but always the tangle, this is the product category to look at, because the cube is the component that determines how the next twenty throws go.

A good cube does three things. It holds the line in a loose coil so it pays out without forming loops. It gives the line a clean, dry home between jobs, which protects the slick coating from the grit that abrades it. And it collapses for transport, so it does not take up permanent space in a gear bag. Durability in the cube itself comes down to the fabric, the frame or stays, and — the part that fails first — the zipper. A cube with a heavy zipper and reinforced corners will outlast several lines.

At the premium tier, you are paying for the cube’s construction and for the completeness of the kit around it. That is a reasonable thing to pay for if you throw often, because line management is not a convenience feature — it is the difference between a set that takes ninety seconds and a set that takes ten minutes. Climbers who work to a schedule feel that difference every day.

Who this suits: someone who has already learned that a bag is not enough, and who wants a cube that will survive being thrown in and out of a truck for years. It also suits crews who want one standardised line-management solution across several climbers. If you are buying your very first kit and you are not sure how often you will use it, a budget all-in-one is the lower-risk entry; come back to a premium cube when you know you will use it weekly.

Key specs

• Durable, collapsible storage cube as the centrepiece
• Sold as a kit with throw line components
• Collapses for transport and storage
• Best suited to: regular throwers, crews standardising gear
• Tier: premium

Pros

• Cube-first design attacks the real bottleneck — tangling
• Collapsible for easy transport and storage
• Durable construction aimed at years of truck use
• Keeps line dry and grit-free between jobs
• Standardises line management across a crew

Cons

• Premium price, driven largely by the cube
• Cube zippers and corners are the wear points
• Confirm the included line length and weight on the spec sheet
• Hard to justify for very occasional users

How it compares: The nearest alternative is the Notch Deluxe kit, which also includes a folding cube but adds two lines in different diameters and three throw weights. If you want maximum cordage versatility, Notch Deluxe is the stronger package. If your priority is the cube itself and the line that comes with it is secondary, MGP SUPPLY lets you put your money into the component that most affects your working day. Against the LOYIM cube kits, MGP sits a tier higher on build quality and price.

10. LOYIM 4 Pcs Arborist Throw Line Kit – Best for Spare-Weight Flexibility

LOYIM’s four-piece kit is the more generously equipped sibling of the three-piece set, adding a component to the cube-plus-line-plus-weight formula. The listing describes a throw weight, a rope and a storage bag in a four-piece package. More pieces at a mid-range price generally means more redundancy, and redundancy is genuinely useful in throw line work because the parts that fail — weights lost in a canopy, a line that gets abraded, a bag that splits — fail at the worst possible moment.

The practical benefit of a larger set is flexibility. If the extra piece is a second weight or an additional component, you gain the ability to change your setup mid-job without walking back to the truck. That matters more than it sounds. The difference between a light and a heavy weight is the difference between an accurate throw through a clean union and a hopeful lob into a dense crown, and being able to switch without a trip to the vehicle keeps a job moving.

As with the three-piece version, the listing does not put a line length or a weight in ounces in the headline. Check both before buying. For a mid-range kit you should expect a line in the 150–180 ft class, which covers residential and light commercial work with a working tail, and a weight in the standard 10–16 oz band. If the spec sheet shows those numbers, the kit is doing what a mid-range kit should: giving you enough gear to work with at a price below the premium tier.

This set suits a climber who wants a bit of depth in their kit without paying premium prices, and anyone who has already lost a weight to a canopy and does not want to lose a working day with it. It is also a sensible kit for a small crew that shares gear, because more pieces means fewer arguments about who has the weight.

Key specs

• Four-piece set: throw weight, rope, storage bag and an additional component
• Mid-range tier positioning
• Confirm line length and weight on the spec sheet
• Best suited to: small crews, climbers wanting redundancy
• Storage bag included

Pros

• More components for the money than the three-piece set
• Redundancy protects against losing a weight mid-job
• Mid-range price, below the premium cube kits
• Storage bag keeps the line clean
• Good shared-kit option for a small crew

Cons

• Line length and weight not stated in the listing name
• Bag rather than cube for line management
• Mid-range price without premium cordage
• Extra pieces add bulk to a gear bag

How it compares: The direct comparison is LOYIM’s own three-piece kit. If the fourth piece is a second weight, the four-piece set is the better buy for anyone working varied canopies, because two weights are worth more than any other single upgrade at this price. Against the Weaver kit, LOYIM gives you more parts while Weaver gives you a known brand and a weighted bag that rides rough bark cleanly. If brand support matters to you, Weaver is the safer long-term pick; if you want maximum usable gear per pound spent, LOYIM wins.

11. SOB Arborist Throw Line Kit – Best for Height Coverage on a Mid-Range Budget

The headline number here is 197 ft, and it is the reason this kit stands out. Of the single-line kits in this roundup, SOB offers the longest stated line, which translates directly into usable height. A 197 ft line comfortably covers crotch heights well past 80 ft once you allow for the tail you need on the ground, and it gives you slack to work with when a throw overshoots or when you need to isolate a limb rather than just get over it.

Longer line is not automatically better — it is more to manage, more to flake out, and more to get tangled if your storage is poor. But it removes a hard ceiling. If your work includes tall pines, eucalyptus, or mature hardwoods where the first anchor sits high, a 150 ft line will eventually leave you short, and short means either a second throw with a different technique or a climb you did not want to make. SOB’s 197 ft line keeps those options open.

The rest of the kit follows the standard mid-range formula: a throw weight and a reflective storage bag alongside the slick rope. The reflective bag is a genuine convenience for early starts and late finishes, and it keeps the line protected between jobs. As always with kits at this tier, verify the throw weight in ounces and the line diameter on the spec sheet, since those two numbers determine how the kit behaves in a dense canopy versus an open one.

This is the pick for the climber whose work skews tall. It suits someone doing removals in mature trees, anyone working in conifers where the first good anchor is high, and climbers who would rather carry more line than make more throws. If your work is mostly mid-height pruning, the extra length is dead weight and a shorter, cheaper kit is the more sensible buy.

Key specs

• Line length: 197 ft of slick rope
• Throw weight included (confirm weight in ounces on spec sheet)
• Reflective storage bag
• Best suited to: tall trees, high first anchors, conifers
• Tier: mid-range

Pros

• Longest stated line among the single-line kits here
• Covers crotch heights well beyond typical residential work
• Reflective bag aids visibility and protects the line
• Mid-range price for premium-tier reach
• Extra slack helps when isolating limbs

Cons

• More line to manage and flake out before each throw
• Bag storage is more tangle-prone than a cube
• Throw weight not stated in the listing name
• Unnecessary length for low and mid-height pruning work

How it compares: The nearest alternative is the FORESTER kit, which offers 166 ft and a named 15 oz weight. FORESTER wins on specification transparency and on weight tuning clarity; SOB wins on pure reach, by roughly 30 ft of line. That 30 ft matters if you regularly set anchors above 70 ft and it is irrelevant if you do not. Against the Notch Deluxe kit, SOB gives you a single long line where Notch gives you two shorter lines in different diameters — reach versus versatility, and the right answer depends entirely on your trees.

12. Notch Deluxe ThrowLine Kit – Best Overall for Two-Line Versatility

The Deluxe kit is the most complete package in this roundup, and it earns the top spot by covering two jobs instead of one. It includes a folding cube, two throwlines — 180 ft of 2.2 mm and 180 ft of 1.75 mm — and three throw weights. That is a full working system: line for delicate, high, slick work, line for heavier or shorter work, multiple weights to tune the throw, and a cube to keep everything sorted.

The two-diameter setup is the part that separates this kit from everything else here. A 1.75 mm line is thin, light and slick — it flies further for a given throw, drops through tight unions more easily, and is the line experienced climbers reach for when they need to hit a small target high in a canopy. A 2.2 mm line is thicker, easier to grip and to see, more abrasion-tolerant, and better suited to heavier weights and rougher bark. Owning both means you stop compromising: you pick the line that matches the tree in front of you rather than the one line you happen to own.

Three throw weights extend that logic to the throwing side. A light weight for accurate placement through clean unions, a mid weight as the everyday default, and a heavy weight for high first anchors, crosswinds and thick crowns. Combined with two lines, that gives you a matrix of setups rather than a single configuration, which is exactly what a working climber needs across a week of varied jobs.

The folding cube ties it together, holding both lines in loose coils so they pay out cleanly and stay grit-free between jobs. Notch is an established arborist brand, so spares and replacements come from a normal supply chain rather than a single seller. The cost is the highest in the roundup alongside the launcher, and it is justified only if you will use the range — but for anyone setting lines several times a week, the alternative is buying two separate kits that together cost more and organise worse.

Key specs

• Folding cube included
• Throwline 1: 180 ft × 2.2 mm
• Throwline 2: 180 ft × 1.75 mm
• Three throw weights (light, mid, heavy spread)
• Tier: premium

Pros

• Two line diameters cover delicate and heavy work in one kit
• Three throw weights allow genuine tuning to canopy and wind
• Folding cube included for tangle-resistant payout and clean storage
• 180 ft per line covers tall first anchors
• Established brand with a normal spares and support chain

Cons

• Highest price tier; the range only pays off with regular use
• More gear to carry and to keep organised
• Two lines mean two things to inspect and eventually replace
• Overkill for occasional users and low-height pruning

How it compares: The nearest alternatives are the Notch Starter Kit and the SOB kit. The Starter Kit gives you the same style of cube with one line and two bags, at a lower price — a sensible entry if you are unsure of your commitment, and a step you can skip if you already know you set lines weekly. The SOB kit gives you one much longer line at a mid-range price, which is the better answer if your only problem is reach. The Deluxe kit wins on breadth: it is the one purchase here that answers height, canopy density and line management at the same time.

How to Choose

Choosing a throw line kit comes down to four numbers and one piece of management gear. Get those right and almost any kit in this roundup will serve you; get them wrong and even a premium kit will frustrate you daily.

Start with the line length your trees actually require

The common mistake is buying a line for the height of the tree rather than for the height of the crotch you need to hit, plus the tail you need on the ground. A usable formula is:

Minimum line length = (target crotch height × 2) + 25 to 35 ft of working tail

The doubling is not waste. Once the weight is over the limb, the line runs up one side and back down the other, so a 50 ft crotch consumes roughly 100 ft of line before you have anything to hold. The tail is what lets you isolate the line, tie on and manage slack while you work.

Typical crotch height	Line consumed by the set	Recommended minimum line length	Kits in this roundup that qualify
25–35 ft (small ornamentals, young trees)	50–70 ft	90–110 ft	Almost any kit, including budget all-in-ones
40–55 ft (typical residential pruning)	80–110 ft	130–150 ft	FORESTER, Aystkniet, WISEROOT, X XBEN, LOYIM sets
55–70 ft (larger hardwoods, light commercial)	110–140 ft	150–180 ft	Notch Starter, Notch Deluxe, MGP SUPPLY, Weaver
70–90 ft (tall conifers, mature removals)	140–180 ft	180–200 ft	SOB (197 ft), Notch Deluxe (180 ft × 2)
Above 90 ft or dense crowns	180 ft+	Launcher-assisted	DTX Tooling launcher as an addition to a long-line kit

Buy one band above your normal work if you can afford it. The day you get called to a job outside your usual range is the day a short line costs you a climb.

Match line diameter and material to the canopy

Line diameter is the second number and the one most often ignored. Thinner line flies further and drops through tight unions more easily, but it is harder to grip, harder to see and less abrasion-tolerant. Thicker line is easier to handle and survives rougher bark, but it is heavier in the air and needs more force behind the throw.

Line class	Typical diameter	Handling	Best suited to
Thin high-modulus (Dyneema/Spectra class)	1.75 mm	Slick, low stretch, hard to grip, low visibility	High, delicate throws into tight unions; experienced throwers
Mid high-modulus	2.2 mm	Slick, low stretch, easier grip, more visible	General professional work, heavier weights, rougher bark
Polyester	2–3 mm class	More stretch, softer slick finish that dulls with wear	Budget kits, occasional use, short and mid-height work

High-modulus line costs more per foot but stretches far less under load, which matters when you are pulling a heavy rig

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