If you’ve ever been on a climbing course and heard the instructor describe carabiners as “the most important piece of climbing gear,” you’re not alone. But many climbers have never thought to question why carabiners are such an integral part of the sport — after all, they’re the piece of gear that connects our rope to our belay device, so they must be necessary, right? It’s true that carabiners are a fundamental part of climbing, but the reason why is a lot more nuanced than the idea that they’re the most important piece of gear.
To help you select the best nonlocking carabiners for your needs, we’ve researched dozens of products and tested our top picks on real climbing gear.
Read on to find the best nonlocking carabiners for climbing.
Our Editor’s Best Nonlocking Climbing Carabiners Reviews
- Made of 7075 aluminum containing 25% pre-consumer recycled aluminum.
- Durable workhorse ideal for trad climbing
- Hot-Forged for lighter-weight construction
- Larger rope-bearing surface for added durability
- Nose geometry allows for efficient clipping/unclipping
- Carabiner hook 5.5" D-shape large aluminum carabiner. Rose red color.
- The carabiner is made of powerful aluminum alloy and flexible sponge, safety on use. Carabiner hooks with sponge, easy to use, just clip onto the hook simply.
- Dimensions: 14 x8.5cm (5.5 x 3.3 inch) (Lenght x Width). 5.5" D-shape large aluminum carabiner.
- Spring-action gate loads easily and locks securely, keeps your hands free and keep the hanging things from falling.
- Notice: Non-Locking-Carabiners! Carabiner Can Not Be Used for Professional Climbing. Not for Climbing or Safety Equipment - NON LOAD BEARING.
- 【UIAA Certified Heavy Duty Carabiner】This climbing carabiner is UIAA certified (Certificate No.: CHN 19-5541). It can withstand a lateral load of 7KN and boasts a longitudinal strength of 25KN. Each carabiner can easily handle up to 5620 pounds of static force.
- 【Quick Automatic Locking】The twist-lock design provides auto-locking security and one-handed operation. Auto-locking carabiner prevents users from forgetting to lock the gate, and prevents the gate from unlocking while in operation.
- 【Durable Material】Made of lightweight 7075 aircraft grade aluminum, each carabiner weighs only 61g (2.1 oz), significantly reducing the burden on your load. It is rust-proof, anti-friction and strong.
- 【Wide Range of Uses】The Climbing Carabiner is not only for professional use in rock/ice climbing and mountaineering, but also suitable for all activities like rappelling, rescue, swings, rigging, ropes, camping, hiking, backpack, hammocks.
- 【Size】The D-shaped carabiner is designed to provide optimal convenience with its compact size. Standing at just 3.9" in height and 2.4" in width.
- H-profile construction ensures best possible use of material and minimal weight
- Keylock closure mechanism for optimum handling when clipping and unclipping
- Steel insert prevents premature wear from rope friction or bolt hangers
- Ergonomic gate design for easier clipping
- Fmax. Vertical [Kn]: 27, Fmax. Open [Kn]: 8, Fmax. minor axis [Kn]: 10. Weight: 54 g
- Utah based Black Diamond has been producing premium quality outdoor equipment since 1957. All Black Diamond carabiners include a 2 Year Warranty.
- Accommodates a clove hitch
- Hot-Forged for lighter-weight construction
- Keylock nose prevents snagging
- Easy-to-hold functional shape
- Lightweight Aluminum Construction: The SUPREME STRAIGHT GATE CARABINER is made from aluminum, providing significant weight savings for outdoor and climbing activities where weight is crucial.
- Non-Locking Gate for Quick Clipping: Designed for general use and quick clipping, this carabiner features a non-locking gate. Its spring-loaded mechanism ensures immediate gate closure upon release, offering convenience and efficiency.
- Strong and Reliable Straight Gate: The straight gate is the most commonly used gate type in carabiners. Known for its strength, it provides added durability compared to bent gate carabiners, ensuring reliability during your outdoor adventures.
- Key Nose Design for Easy Clipping/Unclipping: With a key nose carabiner, you won't have to worry about snagging onto anything. Its notch-free design allows for simple and hassle-free clipping and unclipping, making your climbing experience smoother.
- MAJOR AXIS STRENGTH: 23KN,MINOR AXIS STRENGTH: 9 KN,OPEN GATE STRENGTH: 7 KN,SIZE: GATE OPENING 0.9",WEIGHT : 0.19 LB / 3 OZ,MEETS AND EXCEED STANDARD : CE EN 362
- Utah based Black Diamond has been producing premium quality rock climbing equipment since 1957. All Black Diamond carabiners come with a 2 Year Warranty.
- Lightest fully-functional Black Diamond carabiner
- Hot-Forged construction
- Nose geometry allows for efficient clipping/unclipping
- Color-coded for easy identification
- LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE: D-shape is functional regardless of orientation, meeting multiple uses: attachment of a belay system, a pulley, or on the end of a lanyard. Ideal for aid climbing. Light enough for mountains, durable enough for the crag.
- ERGONOMIC: H-shaped cross-section contributes to better grip when wearing gloves. Keylock system, to avoid any involuntary snagging of the carabiner.
- PREVENT GEAR LOSS: Keeper hole allows a TIBLOC or a MICRO TRAXION to be connected to the carabiner with a cord, helping prevent accidental gear dropping.
- STRAIGHT GATE: The DJINN STRAIGHT GATE is optimized for clipping into bolts and other permanent anchors.
- KEYLOCK SYSTEM: Avoids any involuntary snagging of the carabiner.
- EXTREMELY DURABLE: The wide contact surface of the carabiner limits rope drag and increases overall durability.
- LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION: Weighing just 44 g (1.6 oz), the DJINN strikes the perfect balance between functionality, durability, and weight.
- KEYLOCK SYSTEM: Reduces snags while clipping and unclipping gear loops, bolt hangers, and climbing ropes.
- STRAIGHT GATE: Provides excellent handling while clipping bolts, gear, and permanent anchors.
- LARGE SIZE: Suited to large hands or for use while wearing gloves.
- Material: The climbing carabiner is made of aviation-grade aluminum, which is light and strong. The surface oxide layer and baking varnish are non-toxic and harmless, the lateral load is 7kN, and the longitudinal strength is 25KN. Equivalent to 5621lb.
- Size: D-shaped carabiner is only 3.9" high and 2.4" wide, ideal for one-handed operation, Lightweight 7075 aerospace aluminum with a net weight of only 2.1 Oz/piece, reducing your load.
- Easy to use: Hold the carabiner in your hand, twist the 1/4 barrel with your index finger and thumb, and push inward to open the carabiner. When you release your hand, the carabiner will automatically lock instantly.
- Wide range of uses: this carabiner is very suitable for rock climbing, hiking, rope descent, rescue, locking large adult dogs, etc., and the black coating will not reflect the sun to distract your attention.
- Buy with confidence: Carabiner has obtained UIAA international certification. At the same time, we provide a 30-day return and exchange service without any reason. You can buy and use it with confidence.
Best Nonlocking Climbing Carabiners Buying Guide
Before choosing the best nonlocking climbing carabiners you should consider following options:
1. Use: Although carabiners are predominantly used in the climbing industry, they are also used in a variety of different industries, including the construction and real estate industries. Before purchasing new carabiners, you should determine the specific use of the carabiners to ensure that you purchase the proper ones for your needs.
If the carabiners will be used for climbing purposes, then you will want to make sure that they are manufactured from a durable material, such as steel. If the carabiners will be used in a non-climbing capacity, then you can purchase carabiners that are manufactured from a lighter material, such as aluminum.
2. Carabiner Type: Carabiners are typically manufactured from either a wire-gate or a snap-gate design. Wire-gate carabiners are typically stronger and more durable than snap-gate carabiners, but they do cost more.
Snap-gate carabiners are typically lighter and less expensive, but they are also less durable. If the carabiners will be used for climbing purposes, then you will probably want to purchase wire-gate carabiners, but if they will be used in a non-climbing capacity, then you can probably get away with purchasing snap-gate carabiners.
3. Carabiner Size: Carabiners are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from extra small to extra large. Carabiners are typically labeled with a letter designation, followed by a number.
For example, a carabiner that is designated as a “C” is considered to be an “alpine carabiner,” which is used for climbing purposes. Wire-gate carabiners that are designated with a “7” are typically used in rigging applications.
In general, the larger the carabiner size, the stronger and more durable it is. However, larger carabiners are also typically heavier and more expensive.
4. Carabiner Stacking: Although carabiners are typically labeled with a letter designation, they are also typically labeled with a number designation. Carabiners that are designated with a “1” means that they are “single” carabiners and carabiners that are designated with a “2” means that they are “double” carabiners.
In order to make gear easier to find and organize, climbers typically use carabiners that are labeled with both a letter and a number designation. For example, a carabiner that is designated as a “C8” is considered to be a “double” carabiner.
Carabiners that are designated with a “2” means that they can be stacked on top of another carabiner. Carabiners that are designated with a “1” means that they can’t be stacked on top of another carabiner. If the carabiners will be used for climbing purposes, then you may want to purchase carabiners that are labeled with a “1” designation, so that they can be easily attached to one another when you are climbing. However, if the carabiners will be used in a non-climbing capacity, then you can probably get away with purchasing carabiners that are labeled with a “2” designation.
What else you should know about nonlocking climbing carabiners
1. What are the benefits of using a nonlocking climbing carabiner?
Some benefits of using a nonlocking climbing carabiner are that they are typically lighter weight than locking carabiners, they are less expensive, and they are easier to open and close. Nonlocking carabiners are also less likely to freeze shut in cold weather.
2. What are some of the dangers of using a nonlocking climbing carabiner?
Some dangers of using a nonlocking climbing carabiner are that it can accidentally open while you are climbing, which could cause you to fall, and also that it could become caught on something and act as a lever, which could cause the carabiner to break.
3. How do you properly use a nonlocking climbing carabiner?
To properly use a nonlocking climbing carabiner, the user must first open the gate and pass the rope or webbing through the carabiner. The user then closes the gate, making sure that the gate is fully closed. The user then checks to make sure that the carabiner is locked by tugging on the gate.
4. What are some of the different types of nonlocking climbing carabiners?
Some of the different types of nonlocking climbing carabiners are D-shaped, asymmetrical D-shaped, pear-shaped, and oval-shaped.
5. Where can I purchase a nonlocking climbing carabiner?
There are many places to purchase a nonlocking climbing carabiner. Some places include outdoor stores, online retailers, and climbing gear shops.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best nonlocking climbing carabiners. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best nonlocking climbing carabiners will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.