Tumble Hitch

The Tumble Hitch is a quick-release hitch used to secure something fast so that it can be released at a moment’s notice.

It holds tension without slipping so it’s perfect for certain temporary applications where you need the rope to come free when you’re ready.

It can be tied on the bight meaning you don’t need access to the ends of your rope or the object you’re hitching it to. 

This makes it useful in situations where you can’t get to either side of the object—boats, ladders, hoisting gear.

Let’s check out this hitch in detail.

How to Tie the Tumble Hitch

1. Make a bight in your rope and pass that bight over the object.
2. Make a second bight in the working end and run it behind the object. Pass it through the first loop you made.
3. Wrap the working end behind the standing line.
4. Pass the working end in front of the standing line.
5. Make a third bight on the working end.
6. Run it behind the object and pass it up through the second loop.
7. Pull both the standing end and the top loop.

To untie, just pull the working end—and the knot explodes itself.

Pro Tip

If you’re worried about the hitch slipping, tie an overhand knot between the working end and the final bight. This will give you extra insurance.

You can remove it when you need the quick-release back.

Applications and Uses

The Tumble Hitch works well for non-critical situations. A tug on the working end will release it completely which could be disastrous in high risk situations. 

So don’t use this knot if the load is critical like climbing or heavy lifting.

That said here are some great situations for this hitch:

• Tarp setups: Set up and take down a ridgeline for camping or shelter building.
• Food hanging: If you’re in the backcountry and need to hang food from a tree to keep it safe from critters, this knot lets you retrieve your stash in the morning.
• Boating: It’s great for temporarily mooring a kayak or small boat. After boarding you can release the rope without having to get out of the boat.
• Rope retrieval: If you’ve hitched something high up (like on a ladder or pole) you can release the rope from below without having to climb back up.

Is It Better Than Highwayman’s Hitch?

The Highwayman’s Hitch can capsize or come undone when you least expect it.

It can even fail depending on how the load shifts or if there’s motion involved.

Dan Lehman figured this out and came up with the Tumble Hitch in 2004.

His goal?

Make the hitch hold better under tension and not come apart like the Highwayman’s.

The Tumble Hitch solves one of the Highwayman’s biggest issues: collapsing under load, especially with soft ropes.

But, this knot isn’t without its flaws (we’ll get to that later).

Other Quick Release Hitch

Slipped Buntline Hitch

One of the Tumble Hitch’s biggest flaws is: it loosens when there’s no load.

This is where the Slipped Buntline Hitch comes in.

It stays tight even when there’s slack in the rope. More reliable when there’s no consistent tension.

But there’s a trade off.

Once loaded the Slipped Buntline Hitch can jam tight and it can be hard to untie after heavy strain. 

Not exactly a quick release if you need to untie under load.

Highwayman’s Hitch

The Tumble Hitch was designed as an improvement on the Highwayman’s hitch to solve the problem of the Highwayman’s locking bight collapsing under tension. 

In the Highwayman’s Hitch, if the locking loop gets pulled through, the knot fails entirely —especially under load.

Still, if you need a quick and easy way to release a rope and don’t need to handle heavy loads—the Highwayman’s Hitch can be an option. 

Just pull on the tag end and the whole knot comes apart.

Siberian Hitch

The Siberian Hitch is another quick release option that has its uses especially in cold weather as it can tied without taking off the gloves.

It’s a lifesaver when securing a tent’s ridgeline in freezing weather.

But it is a moderately secure hitch. This hitch is not for critical loads or dynamic situations where the rope will be moving a lot.

If you need something more solid under dynamic tension, the Buntline Hitch is the better choice.

Mooring Hitch

Despite the name, the Mooring Hitch isn’t for actual mooring.

It works like the Highwayman’s Hitch as a temporary quick release knot and can be used to secure a kayak or small boat to a dock.

But, it likes to jam after being loaded.

It’s not recommended for heavy loads but can be useful for short term holds where you need to release the line quickly.

Pros and Cons of the Tumble Hitch

Pros

• Quick release: Just pull the working end and the knot “explodes” and the rope comes free.
• Jam proof: Won’t jam even under heavy loads, great for situations where you need a knot that won’t bind up.

Cons

• Looses when not loaded: If the knot isn’t under constant tension, it will work itself loose.
• Difficult to tie: Not easy to learn, but once you get used to it, it’s your second nature.
• Requires more rope: You’ll need a bit more rope to tie this knot compared to other quick release hitches.

When to Use (and Not Use) the Tumble Hitch

The Tumble Hitch is a good quick release knot for temporary setups where a little bit of strain won’t break the system.

But be careful—this knot will loosen under slack or if something accidentally pulls on the working end.

If you need a knot to hold non-critical loads or where you’ll be able to monitor the setup (like when boarding a kayak or securing a tarp) then the Tumble Hitch is great.

But I wouldn’t use it in high risk situations—like hauling something precious—since one wrong tug could send everything crashing down.

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