Best Non-Locking Carabiner of 2024

Reasons to Buy

• Strong build quality
• Great clipping and unclipping action

Reasons to Avoid

• Slightly heavier

The Wild Country Helium 3.0 carabiner stands out as our top pick, primarily due to its exceptional clipping and unclipping ease, along with a thoughtfully designed nose. A standout feature is its clipping action. The gate requires less pressure to open compared to other carabiners we tested, making it a breeze for quick and efficient clipping. This ease of use is a significant advantage, especially in scenarios where quick action is crucial.

Unclipping is just as smooth as clipping. The nose of the carabiner has been thought out well, with a recessed key lock design that prevents snagging, making it a pleasure to use.

In terms of size, the Helium 3.0 strikes a perfect balance. Smaller carabiners can be a little awkward to handle, but we feel like the Wild Country Helium 3.0 is just big enough that it doesn't have this problem.

However, it's worth noting that the Helium 3.0 is slightly heavier than its competitors in the same category. The difference is minimal though, only a few grams, so this doesn't feel all that important to us.

Reasons to Buy

• Great for unclipping
• Unique gate design

Reasons to Avoid

• Gate is a little stiffer than we'd like

The Petzl Ange L carabiner distinguishes itself with its innovative design, particularly the gate and nose. Unlike most carabiner gates that have two parallel pieces in the gate, the Ange L opts for a single-piece metal gate. This design choice, while not drastically altering the clipping experience, is on our opinion a better gate and nose design. The gate's slightly stiffer feel compared to other carabiners we tested does require a bit more effort during clipping, but this wasn't a big deal.

The standout feature of the Petzl Ange L is undoubtedly its nose design. The absence of a notch completely eliminates the possibility of snagging, an annoying problem with some less well designed carabiners. This feature, combined with a small lip at the end of the gate to catch your finger on, makes unclipping very smooth and hassle-free. In terms of weight, the Petzl Ange L sits comfortably in the middle range, not too heavy nor too light, making it a versatile choice.

Overall, the unique one-piece gate and snag-free nose design make the Petzl Ange L a top pick for us.

Reasons to Buy

• Great affordability
• Simple design
• Low Weight

Reasons to Avoid

• Stiff gate
• Not ideal for larger hands
• Noticeable notch in the nose that will catch on slings and ropes

The Black Diamond LiteWire carabiner stands out for its straightforward design and attractive price, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a basic, budget-friendly option. While its clipping action is okay, the gate is noticeably stiffer than ideal, we're not crazy about. However, it's effective enough for general purposes.

A notable weakness of the LiteWire is unclipping, which is hindered by a simplistic nose design. There's a noticeable notch that will sometimes catch on slings and ropes.

But the carabiner's simpler construction has benefits. It's lighter than many alternatives, which will definitely appeal to anyone counting grams. The no-frills approach also makes the LiteWire a lot more affordable. If you're buying a bunch of carabiners, that value might be what you're looking for.

So if your priorities lean towards a basic, lightweight, and cost-effective carabiner, and you can overlook some shortcomings in clipping and unclipping, the Black Diamond LiteWire is an solid choice.

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable price
• Lightweight
• Open gate design
• Good for quickdraws

Reasons to Avoid

• May not be as durable
• Narrow gate opening
• Not as easy to clip in

When it comes to finding a non-locking carabiner on a budget, look no further than the Camp Photon Wire. This lightweight beauty won't leave a hole in your wallet, or your backpack. It's light as a whisper, whilst still being strong and durable, a quality blend that Camp consistently produces.

Made with a wire gate, the Photon Wire has a smooth clipping action. This is a feature that many users have noted in their reviews, and is a real selling point. No need to fiddle around trying to clip on your gear, the Camp Photon Wire makes it effortless.

Its key-locking gate reduces the chance of anything getting snagged, preventing any unwanted hitches whilst out exploring the great outdoors. Numerous users have praised this feature in their reviews. This carabiner has got the practicality down to a tee.

The Photon Wire has an ample gate opening too, making it easy to handle with gloves on. The large gate clearance is praised by users for its usability in all weather conditions. A little winter chill won’t keep this carabiner down.

One of the main points of contention for some users, however, is the size of the actual carabiner. Some users have reported that they found the carabiner to be a bit too small for their liking. This is worth factoring in if you have larger hands or typically use larger gear.

Its color variety is another aspect that received mixed opinions. While some users appreciated the different colors for easy identification of their gear, others found the colors too bright and preferred a more subdued color palette. As this is more of an aesthetic consideration rather than a functional one, it really comes down to personal preference.

Reasons to Buy

• Very lightweight
• Super compact
• Great for multi-pitch climbs
• Solid build quality

Reasons to Avoid

• Not ideal for ice climbing
• Small size may not suit all individuals
• Possibly less durable with rough use

The Black Diamond MiniWire is a tiny marvel that has made a big impression in the realm of non-locking carabiners. As an ultralight option, it stays true to the ethos of 'less is more'. This feather-light piece, weighing in at a mere 23 grams, is perfect for those multi-pitch trad climbers or alpine adventurers looking to shave grams off their rack without compromising on durability or functionality.

While its size might scream 'delicate', the MiniWire holds up in actual use. Constructed from a single piece of hot-forged wire, it is impressively robust and reliable for its size and weight, warranting top nods from customers who emphasized the carabiner's robustness and longevity throughout reviews online.

But being ultralight, there are trade-offs to consider. The MiniWire’s size means it lacks in certain areas - it's smaller than your typical carabiners, and reviewers noted that it can be a bit fiddly, particularly for those with large hands or when wearing gloves. Some users also raised concerns about the gate tension being a bit stiff which can make clipping and unclipping a tad challenging initially. But many seemed to agree that it was a minor issue that did not overshadow the product's overall superior performance.

Another characteristic loved by users is the smooth-clipping wire gate. While it doesn’t have a keylock nose, the hooked nose didn’t snag on slings or hardware during use, according to some of the most favorable reviews online. This is an important feature, especially while you're out there hanging on to dear life in precarious situations.

In terms of price, the Black Diamond MiniWire is one of the most affordable ultralight carabiners out there. Reviewers felt that the MiniWire provides good value for those looking to go ultralight on a budget.

In a nutshell, while it has its minor drawbacks, the Black Diamond MiniWire has managed to impress a range of users - from experienced climbers to backpackers, with its promise of ultralight weight, robustness, and affordability. It's tempting to add multiples of these to your gear rack.