Clash of carabiners
A few years ago, we picked up the world of carabiners again, after several years of absence from the scene.
The dominant thought at the time was that there was nothing more to say and invent about this category. We didn't believe it, and we worked hard to bring innovation to these products, exploring new tracks and looking for new solutions to old problems.
Maybe we have too many solutions now, so here is a short guide to find your way in our world.
1) HMS carabiners, that is, with a broad symmetric base
They are mainly used for anchoring on the V of the belay, having space for braking devices (plates) and other carabiners. Very useful for using the Munter hitch and for rope maneuvers in general.
The GRIVEL proposals:
- MEGA K6N. Body with round profile ideal for Munter hitch, and screw gate. Weight: 81g
- MEGA K6G. Body with round profile ideal for Munter hitch, closure with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-gate version, for greater safety and speed of use. Excellent also in wet cold conditions because it does not freeze (unlike screw gate carabiners). Weight: 83g
- PLUME HMS K3GH. Small size carabiner, unique in its kind, excellent for multipitch routes, glacier, when you prefer lightness and minimum size, suitable for new thin ropes. Easy to use with gloves, and optimal for use with plate (Scream type). Closure with innovative Twin Gate system, wire-wire version, for greater safety and speed of use. Weight: 44g.
Read here the opinions of our team.
2) Wide asymmetric carabiners
These are carabiners to be used to connect the rope to the harness (e.g. multiple parties on glacier, climbing in top-rope).
Also very useful when parked for self-belay with rope and clove hitch. If used with devices, they tend to bring them closer to the wall thanks to their asymmetry.
The GRIVEL proposals:
- LAMBDA K7G. Excellent for Munter hitch (perfectly round profile). Closure with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-wire version, for greater safety and speed of use. Very simple to use with gloves. Weight: 69g.
- DELTA K5N (ring nut). Lightened profile, it is a classic carabiner for the V of belays. Closure with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-wire version, for greater safety and speed of use. Very simple to use with gloves. Weight: 66g.
Read here the opinions of our team.
3) Medium asymmetric carabiners
These are carabiners to be used as personal anchors ends, to be hooked to the belay points to create a connection and also for rope-harness attachment
The GRIVEL proposals:
- ALPHA K1N. Ideal for connection to belay anchor points. Screw-gate closure. Weight: 56g
- SIGMA K8G. Ideal for use on lanyards and cords, for rope-harness connection on glaciers, or for top-roping. Closing with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-wire version, for greater safety and speed of use. Very simple to use with gloves. Weight: 57g
- TAU WIRE LOCK K12L. Multi-purpose carabiner, has the innovative wire-lock system, which opens and closes like a normal carabiner but offers extra safety. Weight: 55g
Read here the opinions of our team.
4) Small asymmetric carabiners
These are carabiners of minimum weight and dimensions, which make them very versatile for different uses, from clipping to the belay points to create connection, at the end of the lanyards. Very interesting when every gram counts.
The GRIVEL proposals:
- PLUME NUT K3N. Small and light safety carabiner, always to be carried on the harness. Screw gate closure. Weight: 37g
- PLUME WIRELOCK K3L. Ideal for lanyards and anchoring on stops. Closing with the innovative wire-lock system, which opens and closes like a normal carabiner but has extra security. Weight: 42g
Read here the opinions of our team.
5) Carabiners to be used at the waist to belay with a device (tube, gri-gri etc.)
They are ideal carabiners for securing the braking device to the harness, because they remain in position avoiding to rotate and / or go sideways (cross-loading phenomenon).
The GRIVEL proposals:
- CLEPSYDRA L K10G. Large and easy-to-handle body, ideal for sport climbing on crags. Closing with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-gate version, for greater safety and speed of use. Weight: 89g.
- CLEPSYDRA S K10GS. Minimal and light body, ideal for multi-pitch and mountaineering routes. Closing with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-wire version, for greater safety and speed of use. Very simple to use with gloves. Weight: 67g.
Read here the opinions of our team.
6) Special carabiners
These are carabiners with specific characteristics, or that combine particular functions.
GRIVEL solutions
- VLAD: safety carabiner and built-in multi-anchor plate. Ideal for organizing belays and for rescue maneuvers. Closing with innovative Twin Gate system, gate-wire version, for greater safety and speed of use. Very simple to use with gloves Weight: 90g.
