karabíner

Karabíner, commonly known as a carabiner, is a metal loop with a spring-loaded gate used to quickly connect components in rope systems. It is widely employed in climbing, rope rescue, industrial rope access, caving, and sailing, providing a fast and reusable connection between harnesses, ropes, and anchors.

Carabiners come in various shapes, most notably D-shaped, oval, and asymmetric (also called single- or multi-directional). They are typically made from aluminum alloy for light weight or steel for increased durability and load capacity. The gate can be non-locking or locking, with locking variants including screw-lock, twist-lock, and auto-lock designs. Locking mechanisms aim to reduce the risk of accidental opening during use.

In practice, a carabiner connects pieces of equipment and must be loaded along its major axis, with care taken to avoid cross-loading or loading the gate. They are rated according to standards such as UIAA and European EN standards (for example EN 12275 for connectors and EN 362 for rope-access hardware). Typical strengths are specified as major-axis, minor-axis, and gate strengths; common sport carabiners have major-axis ratings around 20–25 kN, minor-axis around 7–9 kN, and gate strength at least 7 kN, though exact values depend on the model and construction.

Safety considerations include avoiding damaged or deformed gear, not using a carabiner with a open gate under load, and performing regular inspections. Proper use requires matching the carabiner to compatible ropes, harnesses, and devices, and following manufacturer instructions and industry standards.

Origin of the term: the name derives from the German Karabinerhaken, reflecting its historical military and mountaineering uses. Modern locking variants and standardized models emerged in the 20th century to support safer rope work.