Locking Carabiner
Locking carabiners for indoor and sport rock climbing. The dual pin and auto locking carabiners use a spring mechanism to snap in a clocked position, while the screw gate carabiner locks using threads which must be twisted into a locked position. A lock-type carabiner is particulary useful for climbing applications.
The locking mechanism creates a secure anchor which is much more difficult to accidentally open. This can happen during belaying and anchoring activities if the climbing rope is twisted or the carabiner is pressed against a rock or other gear. The locking mechanism provides added security. Typically, climbers need 2 or 3 locking carabiners and a belay device for anchoring gear and belays.
 The locking carabiner has sleeve that slides or screws over the gate which locks it closed. It has an "auto locking" spring loaded screw sleeve, or a threaded screw gate. The spring sleeve rests in the closed position. The climber must twist the sleeve to open the gate. Twist lock sleeves are easy to use and can be operated with one hand. These are popular for indoor and sport climbing.
Screw gate type locks can also be operated with one hand. When locked, the sleeve screws over the latch preventing the gate from opening unless it is unscrewed. This type is popular with outdoor, canyon and big wall climbing. They considered by most climbers to be the most secure type of locking carabiner. These are slightly larger than the non-locking version which makes it applicable to use for connecting two ropes together, or connecting a rope to a runner. The locking type can be found in all of the same shapes as the snap type: Oval, D-symmetrical and A-symmetrical.
Belaying, rappelling and abseiling are the most common uses for locking carabiners. The largest of the locking types are the most popular as it provides more room for the rope and sling, or two ropes. Plus the additional space gives maneuvering room for fingers.
 DMM Shadow Locking CarabinerPrice: $15.90 Backcountry.com More... The Shadow Locking Carabiner is made with an I-beam giving it additional strength. It has significant strength at 24kN. Nevertheless its weight is only one and a half ounces. This feature makes it a strong, yet does not contribute a significantly additional weight to your gear rack. The bent gate on this locking carabiner, along with the notched gate makes it easy to clip in to the belay anchor or finish anchor. It has a versatile design making it easy to adapt to any situation.  DMM Revolver Locking CarabinerPrice: $34.90 Backcountry.com More... There is a small pulley at the inside top, allowing rope to travel freely. This makes the DMM Revolver valuable for passing rope through an anchor or any other application where the rope must travel through locking carabiners. This is very useful for evacuations or rescue situations when a pulley may be necessary. Use the Revolver in place of the pulley set up and save valuable time.  Petzl William Locking CarabinerPrice: $13.95 Backcountry.com More... The Petzl William Locking Carabiner has a unique key lock gate. This feature makes both clipping and unclipping easy. With the key lock gate the potential for snagging on runners or other gear is greatly reduced. It has a large opening and large basket, which helps get runners, harness or anchors clipped in and secure. The locking mechanism is easy to operate quickly with one hand. The William locking carabiner is an excellent choice for belay operations.  Black Diamond Positron Screwgate Locking CarabinerPrice: $7.95 Backcountry.com More... With a keylock nose that prevents the Positron Screwgate from snagging on pro, this locking biner is ultra easy to clip and clean. Sharing all the unique features of the regular Positron with the addition of a screwgate, this biner has a deep basket for non-fumbly clips and a wide gate opening for piling in the runners. The Positron Screwgate is THE versatile locker to have.  Black Diamond Rocklock Locking CarabinerPrice: $9.95 Backcountry.com More... The Black Diamond Rocklock Twistlock carabiner is very big, making it a great choice for tying in to several cords. The spine is curved giving extra room at the clip end facilitating ease of clipping. Additionally there is an anti-snagging feature with the keylock. This locking carabiner is excellent for handling with gloves because of the large capacity and anti-snag feature. The hinge is square on the hinge side. It is commonly used for rappelling, and belaying at connection point where locking is necessary and clipping might need to be done with one hand or through several lines or stringers.  Black Diamond VaporLock Screwgate Locking CarabinerPrice: $14.95 Backcountry.com More... If you need a locking carabiner that is light weight with a wide basked this is the one. The Black Diamond VaporLock Carabiner is only 1.8 ounces, or 51grams. The gate locks the sleeve in place, protecting the screw latch from accidental over tightening. The device is made with anodized aluminum and has a pear shape. The strength is 21 kN with a closed gate, and still quit high 7 kN when the gate is open. The notchless gate nose prevents snagging on a harness, making it particularly good for belaying ops.
 CAMP USA HMS Compact Screw Gate Locking CarabinerPrice: $13.90 Backcountry.com More... The CAMP HMS Bet Screw Gate Locking Carabiner offers a rounded and smooth nose helping your rope travel with even light tension. This is highly effective for smooth rappels. THe gate opening is wide and it offers a large interior space. The lack of corners on this device means rope bunching and snagging is minimum, with less friction. This means heat from friction is also minimized.  DMM Zodiac I Beam Keylock Locking CarabinerPrice: $18.90 Backcountry.com More... The DMM Zodiac I Beam Keylock Locking Carabiner has a comfortable and solid, with I-beam construction all the way around. This shape minimizes weight and improves strength. The major axis test strength is very high 32 kN. This is an easy to use twist clip locking carabiner using offset D rigging, fully anodized for excellent corrosion resistance.  Mammut Bionic Mythos HMS Locking CarabinerPrice: $16.90 Backcountry.com More... High strength to weight ratio. Constructed with a pear shape and wide for flexible application of climbing operations. The HMS is an abbreviation of the German word HalbMastwurfSicherung. It describes the size and shape which is an oversized, large and wide locking carabiner. Typically they are used for belaying. The large oversized opening makes it possible to be used with a Munter hitch. The beam construction adds strength for a high load capacity. The arc radius is large enough to be used with all belay devices and knot types. The key lock system makes clipping easy and the screw gate offers security.  Metolius Element Key Lock Belay Locking CarabinerPrice: $9.90 Backcountry.com More... The Element Key Lock carabiner is an excellent choice for belaying. It has excellent strength, at 23 kN, and only weighs 2.5 ounces. This locking carabiner is CE/UIAA. The shape is pear, with a round bar stock. This feature reduces friction and heat for safer, and less physical effort during the belay. The standard key lock reduces snagging. This is a valuable addition to a mountaineering equipment rack.  Omega Pacific Jake Keylock Locking CarabinerPrice: $15.90 Backcountry.com More... The Omega Pacific Jake Keylock is a smooth belay lockable carabiner. The offset-gate helps improve clearance for easy operation. The design keeps your rope centered for a safe and predictable rappel. The Omega Pacific Jake Gate opening is 24 mm and has a major axis strength of 23 kN. Its weight is 3.7 ounces. The gate shape is straight and the auto locking mechanism offers fast clipping and good security. The Jake is anodized for high corrosion protection, and giving it an attractive sheen.  Petzl Attache 3D Screw-Lock CarabinerPrice: $19.95 Backcountry.com More... The Attache has been redesigned for a new lighter and thinner locking carabiner. It weighs only 1.94 ounces, which is a 37 percent reduction from the previous Petzl Attache. It uses the standard key lock and fluid gate system for fast and secure clipping, minimizing the snags on slings. The Attache is a compact pear shape. This design excels on belays and anchors. It is designed for a high test strength of 22 kN closed gate. The manual screw gate has a red band indicator as a safety check showing if the gate is in the unlocked position.  CAMP USA HMS Keylock Locking CarabinerPrice: $13.90 Backcountry.com More... Great for belay, rappel and rigging. Uses the standard anti-snag keylock. The CAMP Keylock shape is an offset D, screw gate closure, with a gate opening size of 23 mm. The weight is 3.14 oz. The round design will serve to keep your rope centered in the biner. It has an extra large gate opening and interior space.  Black Diamond GridLock Screwgate Locking CarabinerPrice: $19.95 Backcountry.com More... The Black Diamond GridLock Screwgate Locking Carabiner uses a design that keeps the 'biner properly situated on the belay loop. This special design eliminates the cross loading. This device is specifically designed for belaying. It employs an intuitive shape that only requires the belayer to connect the rope loop into the small side, and lock the gate. When using the GridLock the belay loop remains locked behind the gate. The I-beam spine curves to create a large and arched shape for smooth rope travel.  Black Diamond Nitron Screwgate Locking CarabinerPrice: $9.95 Backcountry.com More... This is the all around work horse of the locking carabiners family. Uses the standard anti-snag keylock gate. It features small ridges on the spine to help keep it in your grip. Uses an ergonomic design for easy handling with a secure screwgate sleeve. This is an incredibly lightweight device, at 1.8 ounces, and excels in belaying situations.  Omega Pacific Oval Screw-Lock Locking CarabinerPrice: $9.90 Backcountry.com More... Recommended specifically for rock climbing. The symmetrical is oval in shaped which helps for a variety of situations found in climbing, including anchoring, clipping, and pulleys. It's symmetrical shape makes it easy to hold and use with one hand. The Omega Pacific Oval Straightgate Locking Carabiner is a reliable multi-use carabiner, perfect for setting up personal anchors or top roping anchors. The Oval Screw-Lock is inexpensive, strong, reliable and easy to operate. The high grade aluminum is cold forged. It has a high major axis strength of 22 kN and minor axis strength rating of 8 kN. With a weight of only 2.5 ounces this is makes it highly desirable for use as an all around utility lockable biner.  Omega Pacific 1/2" Steel Large D Screw Locking Carabiner - NFPAPrice: $25.90 Backcountry.com More... The Omega Pacific Steel Large D Screw-Lock Carabiner is intended for intensive and heavy use, hauling, rock climbing, rescue work, caving, or any heavy duty application needing an extremely strong and large lockable carabiner. The large D-shape makes handling this device easy, and the extra wide opening makes it possible to manipulate multiple ropes at a time. The carabiners locking mechanism prevents unintentional opening. It is rated at 72 kN. This is one of the strongest carabiners available. The half inch steel Large D Screw Locking Carabiner is made for high strength requirement. |
