Mountaineering, safety belt systems, agroforestry, quarrying, yatching, building, commercial rope work, glass wiping, kayaking rescue, and gymnastics are just a few of the activities that frequently include the use of carabiners. Both steel and aluminum are used primarily in their construction.
What three varieties of carabiner clip are there?
Straight Gate Biners
Straight gate “biners” are highly strong while also being simple to use. They work incredibly well for keeping stuff together, and many have a keylock nose to reduce snagging. As soon as you release the gates, the spring-loaded versions instantly close. They cost a little more and are a little heavier than wire gate carabiners.
Wire Gate Carabiner
Wire gate carabiners are the lightest option available. It was often believed that they were less secure than straight and curved gates, however this is no longer the case. Instead of a solid shaft, they use a robust wire loop for the gate. Due to the opening, they are lighter and less prone to freeze shut in cold weather.
Curved Gate Carabiner
Curved gate “biners” have a captive bar that is held in place by tension. They are similar to the wire gate option but are a little heavier. The benefit is that they can be operated with one hand, as the gate will snap shut when released. This is especially useful in situations where you need to clip and unclip quickly, such as when belaying a climber. They are also less likely to snag on things when compared to straight gate carabiners.
Here are some tips on how to pick a carabiner:
Weight
You want a carabiner that’s light enough to carry in your pack or hang from your harness, but not so light that you have trouble clipping it onto things.
Lock
The lock should be easy to operate with gloves on and cold hands. The best locks have a lever that can be released with one hand while maintaining tension on the biner with the other.
Size
The size of a carabiner is measured in millimeters (mm). Generally speaking, the larger the mm number on your carabiner, the heavier it will be. For example, if you have a 2 mm carabiner, it will be heavier than one that is 3 mm thick but only weighs 1 gram more.
Material
Carabiners come in two types: aluminum and steel. Aluminum is lighter weight but less durable than steel (which is stronger and more durable). Aluminum carabiners tend to be more expensive than steel ones though they do tend to hold up better when subjected to stress from carrying loads over time (e.g., hiking).
Conclusion
The carabiner clip offers a lot of advantages to anybody who uses tools and wants to organize them in the most efficient, effective way possible. Carabiner clips can be especially helpful for people who work outdoors or at odd angles, like on rooftops, where using a regular hook would be impractical. Carabiners make it easy to keep track of your things and quickly access them when you need them.
