Carabiners and quickdraws

Carabiners are a fundamental piece of climbing gear, playing a crucial role in everything from belaying and building anchors to clipping quickdraws and setting up protection. Whether you’re sport climbing, trad climbing, alpine climbing or mountaineering, having the right carabiners ensures both safety and efficiency on the wall. Paired with a strong climbing rope, carabiners provide the connection points that keep climbers secure and allow for smooth, controlled movement.

Locking vs. non-locking

Carabiners come in two main types: locking and non-locking. Locking carabiners, often called screwgate or autolock carabiners, are designed for situations where security is paramount. They are commonly used for top-rope anchors, belay setups and rappelling, ensuring that critical connections don’t accidentally come undone. Some locking carabiners feature twist-lock or magnetic closures for added ease of use, while screwgate designs offer a more manual locking mechanism. Non-locking carabiners, including straight gate, bent gate and wire gate designs, are used for quick and efficient clipping. Straight gate carabiners are often found on the top of quickdraws for easy attachment to bolts, while bent gate carabiners are designed for fast clipping of the rope. Wire gate carabiners are lightweight and resist freezing in cold conditions, making them ideal for alpine climbing and ice climbing.

Quickdraws for sport climbing

Quickdraws consist of two carabiners connected by a strong yet flexible sling, typically made from nylon or Dyneema. They are an essential tool for sport climbers, allowing for efficient clipping into bolts while minimizing rope drag. Some quickdraws have rubberized inserts that keep the rope-end carabiner properly oriented, reducing the chance of cross-loading. For trad climbers, alpine draws—extendable slings with two carabiners—offer added versatility when placing gear and managing rope movement over ledges or sharp edges.

Choosing the right carabiners

The best carabiner for your needs depends on factors like weight, gate type and intended use. A well-rounded climbing kit typically includes a mix of locking and non-locking carabiners, along with quickdraws suited to your preferred style of climbing. Whether you're refining your trad rack, building sport climbing anchors or prepping for an alpine adventure, having reliable carabiners and quickdraws in your kit will help you climb with confidence.