Climbing carabiners

Carabiners should be part of every gear setup

Carabiners are used not only in the military or for climbing; they can also be very useful for camping and outdoor activities. The hooks have an opening that can be pressed open and closes seamlessly again when released. In this way, they create a connection between two objects. For this, you need a carabiner whose material can withstand the resistance or pressure. Two ends of the material are inserted into the carabiner, and once it is closed, they are firmly connected to each other.

Carabiners are available in different designs

The key features of a carabiner are its shape, the type and strength of the closure, its size, as well as the durability and type of material. At ASMC you’ll find a wide range of carabiners so you can choose the right one for each intended use. At ASMC the carabiners can be purchased individually or in double packs. For simple applications there are plastic hooks. Naturally, these must be used with caution and should never be used in safety‑relevant situations. If you need to connect heavier materials, there are steel carabiners that can withstand higher pressure and heavy loads. All carabiners are very well made and feature a secure closure.

Expert tip: How long does a carabiner last?

You can assume a service life of several years, but as almost always, it depends on the specific application and of course on how frequently it is used. Another important parameter is the so-called breaking load, i.e. the amount of force the material can withstand before it breaks. Most carabiners are made of aluminum or stainless steel.

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What types of carabiners are there?

Besides carbines, which are also known as rifles with shortened barrels, in everyday language people usually mean the carabiner hook, which is also called a “snap hook” because of how it works. There are many different shapes and materials designed for a wide variety of purposes. In addition to standard climbing carabiners, which can be secured with additional locking rings, there are also so‑called “standard,” “hardware store,” or “gear carabiners” that do not have these rings. For gear, it is more important that it can be unclipped as quickly and easily as possible, which is why the locking rings are usually omitted here.

Image ©: Markus Bärlocher
When climbing, however, safety accounts for 90% of the considerations, namely that the carabiner can never accidentally open and release the rope. That’s why screw-locking safety rings are essential there. These carabiners are therefore also often called screw or locking carabiners. They may (or even must) be used for climbing, which is why they are also referred to as climbing carabiners.


Image ©: Gohnarch

In addition, there are the Safety– or Tri-lock carabiner, which are secured against accidental opening by additional safety bars. The so-called "S–BinerFor example, wounds can also be disinfected with methylated spirits or tea tree oil. In an absolute last-resort emergency, it is supposedly possible to use ash – once it has completely cooled, of course. However, we cannot accept any liability for this tip. It’s best to see your family doctor before a major trip and clarify open questions like these. In any case, you should always carry compresses and sterile bandages; there is really no way around them, and they are indispensable if you are spending longer periods in the wild. More useful and important tips for initial treatment in nature can also be found on Wikipedia. Wire-gate carabiner with a double opening and, due to their design, they offer countless possible uses. But also when Diving sports or when KayakFor driving, special carabiners are sometimes used that have been slightly further specialized for their applications.

What is a jewelry carabiner?

This is not a hook decorated with diamonds or gold leaf, but hooks that are only intended to connect and hold lighter items. They also have only a snap closure, which is why they are not suitable for climbing.


Image ©: Polyparadigm

What are “quickdraws” or quickdraw sets?

Quickdraws, sometimes affectionately abbreviated to "Exen" in German, are short connectors used for protection in climbing. They are usually used to connect the bolts in the rock face to the rope while keeping the rope away from the rock, as sharp edges could otherwise quickly cause rope damage.


Image ©: Kolja21