Lightest Carabiners

[Cannibal]

Am I the only one a little paranoid about the wire gate models?

Probably not, but there is really no reason to worry. If using them combined with webbing, the cause for worry drops even more. I'm no mathalete, but it seems to me that the vast majority of weight is being handled by the webbing on the tree wrap. The biner is just holding the webbing in place.

Bracing for the Greek alphabet rebuttal

[texron]

I use climging rated wire gat biners and like them very much. Advantage... Self springed. The way the wires are attached is what provides the spring action. There is no extra spring to break or disengage. Advantage: Tests have shown the wire gates are less subject to some of the streeses like gate flutter that solid gate biners show. (non-locking solid gate)

I have no problem with the wire gate. I figure if they have been tested for life support and used for life support they must be reasonably worthy or they would be rated the way they are.

I've used them to hold my 220lb frame while rock climbing, nothing severe but they hold my weight just fine.

[Darkstar214]

C.A.M.P. Nano 23 'biners...23g / 0.8oz. SUPER strong too!

I also use these biners and they are wire-gate. Are there any biners lighter than the NANOs and as strong?

[Dameon]

Don't let him fool you, he set this up to fail, he waited till I was standing in the right spot and snap!! he sent it flying in my direction, lucky for me he had been drinking and miscalculated the trajectory of the biner, it whizzed past my head and harmlessly fell to the ground, unlike the bungee cord he used to try and remove my finger from my hand!! He had better aim with that one!

[scshiza]

These look cool but they weigh alot (3oz) http://www.rei.com/product/716219

[Topplestack]

The nano's are the lightest out there that I trust. I have seen lighter, but none of them are rated for climbing and I won't take anything that isn't. I actually carry a pair of Mammut Moses with me just incase I need to climb out of somewhere. Don't use biners on my hammock anymore.

[warbonnetguy]

Am I the only one a little paranoid about the wire gate models? Granted the two I use are huge and heavy ones. One an older BD autolock/double lock optional, and the second a Wyott military. Weigh a ton, but since I'm just starting, I'm using what I already have.

wire gate biners are stronger than the regular pin gate equivalent, that's why they started making them that way, that and like rev pointed out there is no separate spring to wear out and less gate flutter. they're better hands down than traditional gate non-lockers. the key lock gates (like patzls) are good but still not as good as a wire gate imo.

[Tiki]

Yep, Warbonnetguy has it right. The old style biners are more prone to failure from side loading, than the newer wire gate biners.

With any carabiner, look for markings like 24(arrow symbol)kn. This means it can withstand 24 kn (kilo-newtons) of force when in new condition.

A kn = 225lbs of force

24kn is a typical rating from end to end on is typical on a climbing carabiner. Side loading is much less.. like 7kn (wire gate) or 5kn on the older styles. Ratings and strengths can vary; but, unless you know better stick with a brand like Petzel, Black Diamond, Metolius, DMM, etc. Any reputable climbing shop should be able to steer you correctly.

FYI - The above information came from a guy that used hardware store rings (only once i swear!) to hang from. Take with salt. SMC's rings are arriving tomorrow!

[Topplestack]

Good point Tiki. This is something too keep in mind when you are look at a Biner. I can't speak for everyone or anyone other then myself really, but I want a stronger biner then my rope.

[Knighthorse]

I put a post in the general section concerning 'biners. I won an auction on ebay and ended up with black diamond wiregates 1.6oz each for $23. ($23 for set of four in "used" but look perfect in the picture condition) Guess I'll be finding out soon.