The Sliding X anchor can be tied with a sling or with cordolette. It is self-equalizing, however by itself it is not redundant. To make it redundant either use two slings/cords or tie limiter knots (usually overhand knots) in both sides.

These limiter knots also serve the function of minimizing extension in case one of your two anchor points fail. A sliding X with limiter knots is a very common sport climbing anchor.

It is also very common in traditional climbing as part of an anchor system to combine two anchor points into one.  For example a common 3 piece anchor would be to combine two pieces using a sliding x with limiter knots, then to combine that sliding x to the third anchor point with a second sliding x.

rock_climbing sport_climbing trad_climbing climbing_anchors

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