Carabiners
Trust your connection with premium Climbing Carabiners
Climbing carabiners are one of the most important pieces of hardware in a climber’s kit. At The Outdoor Warehouse, we carry a wide selection of auto-locking, screw-gate, wiregate, and NFPA-rated steel carabiners designed for every style of climbing and professional rope work. Whether you’re belaying, building anchors, racking gear, or performing rescue, the right carabiner ensures safety and performance.
Also known as climbing clips, biner, locking carabiner, non-locking carabiner, and wiregate.
Why Carabiners Matter in Climbing
- Safety: Connects harness, rope, and belay devices securely.
- Versatility: Used for belaying, rappelling, anchors, and gear management.
- Strength: Rated to withstand high loads (kN ratings).
- Professional Use: NFPA-rated steel carabiners for rope rescue, arborist, and rope access applications.
Understanding Carabiner Types
Auto-Lock Carabiners provide maximum security with gates that lock automatically — ideal for belaying or critical anchors.
Screw-Gate Carabiners offer manual control, lightweight strength, and flexibility, making them a classic choice for many climbers.
Wiregate Carabiners are ultralight, resist freezing in alpine conditions, and are best for racking gear or sport climbing quickdraws.
Steel Carabiners are the heavy-duty choice — commonly used in gyms, rescue, and rope access. Many meet NFPA standards for fire/rescue operations.
Carabiners are typically made from aluminum (lightweight, ideal for trad/sport climbing) or steel (durable, for rescue and high-wear scenarios).
For sport climbing, carabiners are commonly paired into sets called Quickdraws, which make clipping bolts faster and more efficient.
Climbing Carabiners at a Glance
| Type | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Lock Carabiners | Belaying, anchors | Secure, no manual screw, safety-first |
| Screw-Gate Carabiners | General climbing use | Manual lock, versatile, lightweight |
| Wiregate Carabiners | Sport, alpine, racking gear | Lightweight, freeze-resistant, quick clipping |
| Steel Carabiners | Rescue, gyms, rigging | Durable, NFPA-rated, long lifespan |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using non-locking carabiners for belay or anchor points.
- Cross-loading (loading a carabiner across its minor axis).
- Not checking the gate closure before weighting.
- Ignoring wear on carabiner spines and gates.
Carabiner Checklist
- ✔ Match the right carabiner to the application (belay, anchor, rescue).
- ✔ Verify strength rating (kN or NFPA) before use.
- ✔ Inspect gate action and hinge before every climb or rescue.
- ✔ Retire carabiners with grooves, sharp edges, or gate issues.
- ✔ Carry a mix of locking and non-locking for flexibility.
Pro Tip
Always carry at least one Auto-Lock Carabiner for belaying and one Screw-Gate Carabiner for anchors. Add Wiregate Carabiners to keep your rack light and efficient. For rescue or rope access, choose NFPA-rated steel carabiners for maximum strength and compliance. Don’t forget to pair them into Quickdraws for sport climbing.
For Rope Rescue Professionals
Need NFPA-rated hardware? Our selection of Rope Rescue Gear includes steel carabiners, pulleys, and rigging equipment trusted by fire, rescue, and rope access teams worldwide.
Pair With
Why Buy Carabiners from The Outdoor Warehouse?
- All carabiners meet or exceed UIAA/CE safety standards.
- Options in aluminum and steel, including NFPA-rated models for rescue.
- The Outdoor Warehouse provides expert-selected hardware and fast shipping.
Buying Guide Snapshot
Belay? Choose an auto-lock.
General climbing? A screw-gate covers most needs.
Sport/alpine? Wiregate is the lightest choice.
High-wear/rescue? Go with NFPA-rated steel for durability and compliance.
Shop climbing carabiners today at The Outdoor Warehouse — built for safety, strength, and your next adventure.
