| Karabiners are divided into two categories - | | | | Camp Nano Wire Karabiner is ultra compact and at |
| non-locking and locking, both have sub-categories. | | | | just 28 grams is one of the lightest on the market. |
| Non-locking karabiners have different types of gate - | | | | This can offer a considerable weight saving if |
| straight, bent and wire and locking karabiners fall into | | | | climbers replace normal clips with Nano Wires. Ideal |
| auto locking gate and screwgate lock. | | | | for sports climbs. |
| A non-locking biner has a sprung swinging gate that | | | | A screwgate locking karabiner prohibits the gate |
| opens to insert or remove a climbing rope. The gate | | | | from opening thanks to a barrel around the gate. |
| snaps shut under the spring's pressure. The straight | | | | When the barrel is at one end of the gate it cannot |
| gate is the strongest type of non-locking biner and | | | | be opened except once the user releases the barrel. |
| usually the cheapest available. The DMM Shadow | | | | The locking mechanism offers security against the |
| Straight Gate features DMM's keylock nose to avoid | | | | biner opening accidently. A screw gate is probably the |
| the biner snagging on the bolts or the rope. With it | | | | most popular biner used among climbers. The barrel |
| clipping is really easy and it is completely anodised to | | | | winds up and down a thread on the gate which is |
| combat corrosion and prolong its life. | | | | done manually to lock when needed. The DMM |
| With a bent gate there is no strength sacrifice, | | | | Phantom Screwgate is the lightest keylock |
| equipment can be clipped in and unclipped easily. The | | | | screwgate biner in the world. It is very strong and |
| Clog 10mm Bent Gate offers great value and is | | | | perfect for traditional and alpine climbing. |
| compact and lightweight. The nose is oriented to | | | | The shape of the karabiner also varies. The Oval |
| optimise easy clipping of equipment and the bent | | | | shaped biner is the most basic and distributes |
| gate guides the rope for even easier clipping. Ideal | | | | pressure on both sides. The D shape is stronger as |
| for trad sports and all round use. | | | | most of the force is on the spine which is the |
| A wire gate is the lightest type which allows climbers | | | | strongest part. The HMS biner has a pear shape, is |
| to carry more without being weighed down. The | | | | heavier and offers more room for the rope or gear. |