Once you have reached the top of the rock face, you might need a way down. The best rappelling carabiners are sure to give you a way down and allow you to control your descent. It is one of the safer ways of descending from a mountaintop and can also be used to rappel down from buildings or any other steep areas.
The rappelling carabiner is designed to make life easier for the climber and give the climber more confidence when descending from tricky surfaces. However, it can take some time to understand the belay process. So the first step is to ensure that you find a carabiner, which is comfortable for your use.
Since these small pieces of rock climbing gear can be found almost anywhere, you must have the best carabiner to get the job done. There are tons of these options available, but we have isolated the best from the rest with some research. So now you don’t have to ask what are the best rappelling carabiners.
What Are The Best Rappelling Carabiners?
The main purpose of this article is to show you which carabiners are the best for rappelling. Once you have one that you are comfortable with, it should give you more confidence. In Lehman’s terms, the carabiner is a piece of metal clip that will hold the rope in place and allow the user to control the descent’s speed.
However, there are various options on the market today, and you must have something useful and durable to ensure your safety. So we have gone on a search for the best options and help you better understand the different features that will make them stand out to ensure you get value for your money.
What You Need To Look For When Buying A Rappelling Carabiner
As mentioned, there are numerous rock climbing and rappelling carabiners on the market today, and you must find the right one for your needs. The following guide might be small, but it should give you insight into these carabiners’ key features and workings. Here are some of the key features to consider:
Shape
There are numerous types of carabiners on the market today, but the shapes will have a huge impact on the effectiveness of the option you select. Here is a breakdown of the different shapes:
- D-Shape: You have symmetrical and asymmetrical D-shape carabiners, and both of these are effective for most forms of climbing. The asymmetrical option offers a larger clipping point and leaning angle for the rope.
- Pear Shape: The pear shape carabiner is similar to the D-shape but features a slightly different design. The smaller design makes it more manageable, but it remains great for clipping due to the asymmetrical design.
- Oval Shape: The oval shape is the more traditional option and designed to hold more gear than all the other shapes. However, the downside is that the gate is much smaller to open.
Gate Types
One needs to look at the gate types of the carabiner, and once again, you have three different options to consider. The straight opening is easy to use and should be pretty simple. Having the bent carabiner option will allow the user to slide the rope and gear into the carabiner much faster. Finally, the wire gate carabiners are great for the snow, and with the small opening, they are less likely to freeze shut.
Size And Strength
Finally, you will have to consider the strength and size of the carabiner. The strength is directly correlated to the size if you use the same material, and the bigger your carabiner, the more gear it can hold. Keep in mind that you don’t want a large carabiner if you do not use all of the space. The additional weight can add more strain to the rope or harness.
Top 5 Rappelling Carabiners
Now that you have seen some of the features, you must look at the top rappelling carabiners. We have used the guide features to help us select the top options on the market today. Whether you are a beginner or advanced rock climbing expert, you should find that the following options will be helpful:
PETZL Sm’D Carabiner
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Twist-Lock Design
- Versatile shape
- It is lightweight
- Reliable brand
Cons:
- Not a lot of gate clearance
Bottom Line: If you are interested in one of the top carabiners, the PETZL Sm’D Carabiner is one of the top options on the market today. It features a stylish design, and with an asymmetrical shape, it should be useful in most situations.
CAMP Photon Lock Carabiner
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Visual gate indicator
- Solid design
- One of the lightest available
- Full-Size Offset D-shape
- Affordable
Cons:
- The gate spring squeaks
Bottom Line: The CAMP Photon Lock Carabiner is a budget carabiner that will hold a lot of weight. The offset D-Shape design is made to ensure all your belongings stay inside the gate. In addition, the large gate opening means that adding gear and changing the clip is easy when you are in uncomfortable situations.
Black Diamond Equipment Rocklock Twistlock Carabiner
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Used for double rope rappelling
- Auto-lock on the gate
- Wide gate opening
- Durable design
Cons:
- Expensive price tag
Bottom Line: If you are looking for the best, you also need to pay for the best. The Black Diamond Equipment Rocklock Twistlock Carabiner is one of the best options for those with safety in mind. It is also recommended for double rope belaying and can be used for most rock climbing expeditions.
DMM Phantom Screw Gate Carabiner
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Screwgate feature
- Very easy to set up
- Lightweight design
- Affordable price tag
Cons:
- Not a lot of gate clearance
Bottom Line: We have selected the DMM Phantom Screw Gate Carabiner for the secure locking system that it offers. The unit features a screw system for the gate, which means you don’t need to worry about the gear or ropes slipping out. It is not as expensive as some of the high-end options either.
EDELRID Unisex Adult’s HMS Bulletproof Screw Carabiner
Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon
Pros:
- Triple action design
- Stainless steel insert
- Internal spring for cross-loading
- Screw locking mechanism
Cons:
- Very expensive
Bottom Line: Last but certainly not least, we have the EDELRID Unisex Adult’s HMS Bulletproof Screw Carabiner. This is one of the most durable options on the market today and should be very useful for experienced climbers. It features a spring inside that will prevent any cross-loading issues when you overload the carabiner with gear.
Best Rappelling Carabiners Summary
Once you have a top carabiner, you have security and peace of mind when rappelling down from any rock face. The best rappelling carabiners will give you peace of mind and ensure that you can hold all your gear without any issues. Let us know in the comment section if we have missed any of your favorites.
Need Gear for Your Rock Climbing Trip?
If you are planning a rock climbing adventure, you want to make sure that you have the right gear. Check out our beginners guide for rock climbing equipment.