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See the full collection of Ape Canyon Carabiners here: Carabiners
Note: this page does not list carabiners used for the Garda Hitch Footloop. See Garda Hitch Footloop page for that info.
All about carabiners
There is a lot to know…
Triple Action
Although screw-gate carabiners were the standard in climbing for a long time, climbing accidents have been attributed to the gates not being locked, either because the climber forgot or because they gate worked its way open. Therefore, the use of automatically locking “triple action” carabiners is recommended. A triple action carabiner requires three separate actions to open the device. Note: Triple action carabiners are often referred to as “double locking”, implying that the gate has two separate locking mechanisms.
Aluminum vs Steel
For most applications, JRB prefers aluminum carabiners over steel due to the weight savings. Note that aluminum carabiners should only be subjected to a pull along the long axis and should not be subjected to any force which presses them against the tree. Steel and Aluminum components should not contact each other. Example: The JRB Cinch is constructed with Aluminum Ring and an Aluminum Carabiner. Steel carabiners are commonly used by arborists in choking canopy anchor applications given that they can withstand higher bending forces without deformation. One application for carrying a steel carabiner is as a spare, for an emergency canopy anchor, and where it can also act as an improvised throwball. Steel quick links are also handy for utility applications.
Shape
Carabiners come in different shapes, listed below along with potential applications.
- HMS / Pear – large capacity, great for bridge and Munter
- Oval – smaller, good for connection to one entity
- D-shape – strong design keeps load along spine
Swivels for Main Bridge
On the upper/main bridge, JRB likes a swivel, particularly for DSRT, but it isn’t mandatory. We can either use a Swivel/Carabiner combination device or a Swivel and a Carabiner. Because many of us use small (6mm) diameter cords for our friction hitches, we want a carabiner which has no edges inside the carabiner which could catch the cord and cause inappropriate loading. The carabiners listed below are compatible with the swivels unless otherwise stated.
Camp Gyro 1 – Adopted in 2024, this is JRB’s latest swivel. We insert a quality carabiner inside the rubber sleeve (on the red side) to convert it into a Swivel/Carabiner. Remove the rubber collar from the stainless steel side, and thread the bridge loop through it.
The Petzl Micro Swivel can be used in conjunction with most of the carabiners listed below. Simply squeeze the carabiner through the small eye, where the rubber will firmly grip on the carabiner with no rattle. (JRB has not tested that every carabiner will fit through the small eye.)
Rock Exotica Swiva Eye is a swivel/carabiner available from Amazon. Small diameter cords (<7mm) can get caught on the gate though.
Carabiners for Bridge / Munter
The Notch HMS and Petzl William Ball carabiners work great on both bridges. Both are triple action and aluminum construction. If using 11mm ropes in DSRT, the larger Petzl is recommended for the Short Bridge (Munter Friction Hitch).
If you accept the responsibility to screw the gate closed, you won’t find a better deal than this:
Amazon products:
Other Triple Action Carabiners
Other great carabiners for general use, including Lineman’s, Lifeline or Saddle Hunter’s Hitch.
The Rock Exotica Rocko WireEye has a moveable wire eye for keeping the carabiner properly oriented in certain applications:
Quick Links, Delta Links…
Browse the Ape Canyon Selection here:
Ape Canyon Carabiner Collection
The Double Action Squatch Claw works great on a Lineman’s Belt.
Mini Carabiners
When running our rope up into a tree, or fastening accessories to just about anything, JRB prefers to use clips and avoid tying knots. Warning: None of the products in this section are for life-safety applications.
The Freskaro 3 inch carabiners are excellent for rigging our rope into a tree (attaching the JRB End loop on our Rope to our paracord loop), or just about any utility application, available on Amazon:
These M3.5 Black Stainless Steel Screw Link Carabiners are JRB’s preference for fastening on the end of our throwline. Tie one on each end of the throwline with a Poacher’s Knot, and simply open the link to install the throwball.
M3.5 Black Quick Links, 10 pack
The Micro Raiders (below) are just slightly larger, increasing the chance that they might get stuck. Note that these are also available in non-locking design, but they can occasionally open on a twig and get stuck. Locking is better:
https://www.apecanyon.com/product/micro-raider-aluminum-keylock-screw-lok
These 2″ Black, Stainless Steel Carabiners are great for all kinds of accessory applications. JRB likes to keep one on the ground end of his throwball line, and keep a finger in it while making the throw
Black 2″ Steel Carabiners, 10 pack
These 2.3″ Black Aluminum non-locking carabiners are just a little larger and a more open shape.
Black 2.3″ Aluminum Carabiner, 6 pack
Carabiners for “Hitch Handles”
Some friction hitches (such as JRB Ascender and Agile) allow the use of small carabiners to act as ‘handles’, just like a mini-hand ascender. The carabiner greatly increases our ability to grasp the hitch and put an appropriate and balanced amount of weight on it, especially when wearing gloves. In the case of the Agile hitch, the presence of the carabiner also acts as a jam resistance mechanism. Because the carabiner is not being used in a conventional manner, the size and shape is more important than it’s strength. We want a small carabiner which is less likely to give us trouble passing through a tree crotch, and we want a locking carabiner so that the squeezing action of our hands does not open it. These both work great for handles. Note: Do not use these for life safety.