Looking for the best locking carabiner? We researched over 40 of the best and most popular locking carabiners available on the market today and purchased the top 11 to include in this in-depth review. Our expert climbers then put these lockers to the test over the course of countless days spent outside sport climbing, trad climbing, and multi-pitching, investigating the pros and cons of each one for belaying, using as a master-point, fixing to an anchor, and rappelling. From the walls of El Cap in Yosemite to the sunny welded tuff of Smith Rock, we put these lockers through the wringer so that we could make the best recommendations for you.

Compare Top Products

	Petzl Attache	Black Diamond Vaporlock Magnetron	DMM Phantom	Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG	Edelrid Pure Slider
Awards
Price	$11.96 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers	$27.95 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers	$15.50 at REI	$35.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers	$17.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score	100083	100075	100073	100072	100071
Star Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Pros	Versatile, lightweight, relatively affordable, lots of gate clearance, gate security stripe.	Light, auto-locking, versatile	Light, small, least amount of revolutions needed for screwgate to lock or unlock	Triple-action auto-locking gate, stainless steel insert increases durability, internal spring bar prevents cross-loading or rotation.	Very quick and easy to unlock, auto-locks, very light and compact
Cons	Screwgate can get stuck closed, aluminum I-beam construction wears out quicker than some.	Can freeze shut, hard to open at times, locks shut on gear loops	Expensive compared to alternatives, the least amount of gate clearance	Heavy, expensive, hard to unlock with one hand.	Locking mechanism not as secure as others, locking slider can block closure of gate
Bottom Line	The best and most versatile locker at a reasonable price.	Worthy of our Top Pick as the best auto-locking carabiner you can buy.	Our favorite personal locker is great for building anchors	An ideal locker for belaying, and great choice for a top-rope anchor.	A unique tool for greater peace of mind while leading
Rating Categories	Petzl Attache	Vaporlock Magnetron	DMM Phantom	HMS Bulletproof Triple FG	Pure Slider
Overall Utility (25%)	10010	1008	1007	1009	1007
Ease Of Unlocking And Locking (25%)	1007	1005	1008	1004	1009
Compactness And Weight (20%)	1008	1008	10010	1005	1009
Gate Security (20%)	1007	1009	1006	10010	1004
Gate Clearance (10%)	10010	1008	1003	1009	1005
Specs	Petzl Attache	Vaporlock Magnetron	DMM Phantom	HMS Bulletproof Triple FG	Pure Slider
Weight	57 g	56 g	41 g	87 g	43 g
Gate Closed Strength (KN)	22	24	24	25	23
Sideway Strength (KN)	7	7	9	9	8

Expand to show full ratings & specs  |  Hide details Updated January 2019
Unlike many types of outdoor equipment, successful locking carabiners aren’t frequently updated year to year. However, new models are always becoming available, and the go-to favorites for die-hard climbers morph and adapt over time. We updated our entire review in December 2018, re-purchasing and re-testing six of the highest scorers and most popular choices from previous years that remain true to what works, while also adding in five new lockers that we see on a lot of people’s racks. With a new round of testing, awards have changed, and we highly recommend you check out the Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FGfor belaying with a gri-gri or ATC, and we’ve also fallen in love with the DMM Phantom Screwgate as our go-to choice for light, compact, locker duties. The Petzl Attache remains the Best Overall winner for its incredibly well rounded design, and we also gave a Top Pick award to the Black Diamond Vaporlock Magnetron for having the best auto-locking system. Read on below to find out more about the other award winners and top picks.

Best Overall

Petzl Attache

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at BackcountrySee ItSee all prices (4 found) 83OVERALL
SCORE

• OVERALL UTILITY – 25%10
• EASE OF UNLOCKING AND LOCKING – 25%7
• COMPACTNESS AND WEIGHT – 20%8
• GATE SECURITY – 20%7
• GATE CLEARANCE – 10%10

Weight: 57g | Lock Closure Type: Screw-lock
The most functional and versatile locking carabinerLargest amount of gate clearance makes for less hassleRed safety stripe gives visual indicator gate is lockedAffordableScrew gate gets stuck relatively easilyNot auto-locking

The Petzl Attache has long been a favorite locking carabiner, providing nearly unrivaled versatility for all types of climbing. It’s pear shape means that it has a large basket that allows for clipping many ropes or other ‘biners to it at once without overlap or pinching, and its very large gate clearance means that getting these items on or off is also a cinch. Its I-beam construction means that it’s lightweight while also providing the strength that you would expect. This is a carabiner that can do everything, from belaying to rappelling, using as a master point or on the end of a daisy chain, and is both light and affordable.

There are very few downsides to the Attache, but one would be the fact that it is easy to tighten the screw locking mechanism down too tight, making it very difficult to unscrew. This can be avoided by recognizing that when you screw a locker closed, you are simply blocking the gate from opening, not actually joining the gate to the nose, so it doesn’t need to be super tight. Also, try to screw it closed when it’s un-weighted; doing so while it’s under tension often makes it hard to unscrew when the weight is released. The Attacheisn’t auto-locking, meaning it’s not fool-proof, but this fact is offset by a red visual indicator if the gate isn’t locked. Screw gates also have other advantages, like ease of use with gloves on, and affordability. All in all the Petzl Attache is a locker that we can’t live without, and recommend that every multi-pitch climber has two or three of these when they leave the ground–although it’s easy to find additional uses if you have more!

Read Review: Petzl Attache

Top Pick for Lightweight and Compactness

DMM Phantom

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SCORE

• OVERALL UTILITY – 25%7
• EASE OF UNLOCKING AND LOCKING – 25%8
• COMPACTNESS AND WEIGHT – 20%10
• GATE SECURITY – 20%6
• GATE CLEARANCE – 10%3

Weight: 41g | Lock Closure Type: Screwgate
The lightest locking carabinerThe least amount of screwing to lock gate saves timeButtery smooth gate and screw lockNearly double the price of the Mad Rock Super TechNot auto-locking

Stand at the bottom of any multi-pitch climb, clip the rack onto your harness and notice the significant amount of extra weight, not to mention clutter, that you will have to carry up the route with you. If your intended climb is close to your maximum climbing ability, then the weight of the rack could conceivably make a difference in whether you send or fall. Any opportunity to lighten the load helps you out, which is why we love compact, lightweight locking carabiners. How many lockers you need on a climb is up to you, but only one or two of these at most needs to be larger pear or HMS style lockers, the rest can, and should, be small lightweight lockers. We awarded our Top Pick to the DMM Phantom Screwgate because it is the best one you can buy. It is the lightest climbing rated locker we have ever used, and is also super quick to lock and unlock.

As long as you aren’t trying to belay or rappel with these as your main locker, there is virtually no downside to using them. With their small size, you can’t expect to clip a bunch of other ‘biners to them, or ask them to hold multiple ropes or knots, but they can do literally everything else you would need a locker for, all while weighing less and taking up far less harness space than a typical locker. Anyone who loves multi-pitch climbing and wants only the best performance for when it matters should be in the market for three or four of the DMM Phantom Screwgates.

Read Review: DMM Phantom Screwgate

Top Pick for Belaying

Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG

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SCORE

• OVERALL UTILITY – 25%9
• EASE OF UNLOCKING AND LOCKING – 25%4
• COMPACTNESS AND WEIGHT – 20%5
• GATE SECURITY – 20%10
• GATE CLEARANCE – 10%9

Weight: 87g | Lock Closure Type: Triple Action Auto-lock
Triple action auto-locking offers unrivaled gate securityStainless steel insert eliminates quick wearing and improves durabilityInternal spring bar maintains orientation at all timesHeavyPricey

Whether you use an ATC or a gri-gri for belaying your climbing partner, it needs to be connected to your body or the anchor using a locking carabiner. Most gear manufacturers design lockers specifically with belaying in mind that have features such as an auto-locking gate and that keep the belay device oriented correctly. The best of these is the Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG, winning our Top Pick award for best belay locker. The gate is auto-locking, so if it is closed it is locked, no matter what, but it also requires three actions to unlock it, ensuring the most secure connection possible. We love the stainless steel insert that covers the basket where the most wear takes place, ensuring this ‘biner will last a long time. The internal spring bar is the most effective way, in our testing, to orient the ‘biner in the direction that it needs to be at all times, without risking cross-loading or flipping upside down.

One of the few downsides to this locker is its weight, but the added security features are worth it. That said, on multi-pitch routes we would likely choose to carry a lighter HMS style locker, like the Petzl Attache for belaying with. We also discovered that the triple-action gate is difficult to open with one hand. With its bulletproof metal insert, this locker is also ideal for use while rappelling, or as a master-point top roping anchor, in addition to regular belaying.

Read Review: Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG

The Best Auto-locking Carabiner

Black Diamond Vaporlock Magnetron

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OVERALL
SCORE

• OVERALL UTILITY – 25%8
• EASE OF UNLOCKING AND LOCKING – 25%5
• COMPACTNESS AND WEIGHT – 20%8
• GATE SECURITY – 20%9
• GATE CLEARANCE – 10%8

Weight: 56g | Lock Closure Type: Magrentron Auto-locking
Auto-locking means if it’s closed, its lockedVery light for an HMS-style pear lockerUnique magnetic locking mechanism PriceyHarder to remove from harness loops than screw gates

Locking carabiners are the most secure way of attaching yourself to the rock or anchor, your belay device to your harness, or the rope to an anchor, with one caveat: they are only secure if they are actually locked. If you don’t remember to screw the gate of your locker closed, then it isn’t as secure as you think. The Black Diamond Vaporlock Magnetron is our favorite answer to this problem. It’s an auto-locking carabiner, meaning if the gate is closed, it is automatically locked, so there is never a need to remember to lock it, or to check to see if it’s locked. It uses a unique magnetic design to keep two hinges closed that block the gate from opening, and must be depressed on each side in order to release to open. Of the four auto-lockers we tested for this review, we found this one to be the most versatile for all-purpose use, which is why chose to recognize it as our Top Pick.

With the benefit of never having to worry about whether it’s locked or not comes a few notable downsides. The Vaporlock Magentron is a bit pricey, around $10 more than the comparable Petzl Attache. It also requires you to squeeze the two hinge triggers every time you wish to open it, which can be a bit frustrating when it is sitting on a back gear loop of your harness. With thick gloves on, squeezing these triggers is undoubtedly harder than manipulating a screw gate locker. These complaints are minor, however, when considering the peace of mind gained by simply knowing that the gate is locked. Pear shaped ‘biners like this one are very versatile and can be used for almost any purpose, and we think everyone could find an appropriate use for at least two of them.

Read Review: Black Diamond Vaporlock Magnetron

Best Bang for the Buck

Mad Rock Super Tech Keylock Screw

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SCORE

• OVERALL UTILITY – 25%6
• EASE OF UNLOCKING AND LOCKING – 25%7
• COMPACTNESS AND WEIGHT – 20%9
• GATE SECURITY – 20%6
• GATE CLEARANCE – 10%4

Weight: 45g | Lock Closure Type: Screw-lock
VERY AffordableCompact and lightweightEasy to open and closeSmall gate openingNot large enough for belaying

At less than $8 retail, the Mad Rock Super Tech locking carabiner is far and away the least expensive in this review. You could buy two of them for nearly the same price as a Petzl Attache, which is our favorite locker, and three of them for less than a single BD Vaporlock Magnetron. These ‘biners are super light and very small, which combined with their low price, makes them worthy for loading up on for long alpine or free climbs.

The downsides to the Super Tech are basically the same as you would find with any compact lightweight carabiner. They are a modified D-shape, so they really only attach to one rope or item comfortably without overlapping and crowding taking place. They are also too small to use regularly for belaying or rappelling, but they can certainly work in a pinch if need be. However, a handful of these can really lighten and shrink your rack, and at the price there is no reason not to add three or four to your collection of Attaches.

Read Review: Mad Rock Super Tech Keylock Screw

Analysis and Test Results

Locking carabiners, or simply “lockers” for short, are carabiners designed for climbing or rigging purposes that include a mechanism that keeps the gate closed. It is important to recognize that by locking the gate closed, you are not joining the gate to the nose to make the carabiner stronger; these carabiners are already extremely strong. Locking them simply prevents the gate from unwanted openings, securing whatever is inside the ‘biner––whether a rope, knot, or sling––without allowing it to escape by accident. While lockers used to come in fairly simple designs, there are now countless varieties to choose from, each with an intended purpose and emphasizing certain traits, whether it’s for belaying, rappelling, attaching the rope to a fixed piece or bolt, or countless other situations. Where, when, and what type of locker to use in any given situation is up to you, but the most common uses while climbing are on your belay and rappel device, as a master point of an anchor, as the connection point for a Personal Anchoring System (PAS) if you choose to use one, and to construct equalized multi-pitch anchors. For more information about the different styles, shapes, sizes, and gate locking mechanisms found on locking carabiners today, check out our Buying Advice Article. For more information about where and when to use locking carabiners to climb safely, we recommend consulting a guiding service or climbing school.

You can never have too many lockers on a big wall climb. Here George is really happy he is attached with a couple of lockers for backup as he completes yet another lower-out cleaning the roof out of the black cave on the North America Wall, El Cap.

For the purposes of this review, we tested three main styles of locking carabiners: those designed for belaying, HMS or pear-shaped lockers, and compact/lightweight lockers. These lockers come with a variety of different gate locking systems, and we made sure to test all the carabiners for all different purposes to give you the best picture of how well they perform. To accurately compare the lockers, we graded them according to five different metrics: Overall Utility, Ease of Locking and Unlocking, Compactness and Lightweight, Gate Security, and Gate Clearance. For each metric we awarded a score of 1-10, and in all cases scores were awarded in comparison to the other products. Each metric was then weighted based on how important it is to the overall function of the locking carabiner, and the scores were added together to come up with a product’s overall score. Just because a product does not score highly in this review, does not mean it is a poor piece of equipment, and just because it scores highly does not mean it will be the best carabiner for your needs. We encourage you to identify your individual needs, and then delve deeply into the individual reviews to get the best feel for which product will work best for you. Read on for descriptions of each grading metric, including how much it is weighted for the overall score, and which products perform best for that particular purpose.

At hanging belays like this one, a couple lockers can not only make things a lot safer, but also put your mind at ease as you contemplate the void beneath your feet.

Value

As any fledgling climber will soon come to realize, rock climbing is not an inexpensive sport to get started in. There is a sizeable investment in gear needed to enter even at the lowest rung of the ladder. To simply go gym climbing regularly a climber will need to purchase shoes, a harness, a chalk bag, and a belay device, not to mention potentially investing in education or guiding, as well as a gym membership. Those who wish to explore further will need to spend many times more in equipment and learning, and even for an experienced climber, the need to continuously replace equipment like shoes, rope, harness, and a rack is significant. For this reason, value becomes a very important concern for climbers, not to mention the fact that a disproportionate amount of climbers are college students or dirtbags pinched for funds.

Price vs. Performance Comparison020406080100$0$10$20$30$40$50Overall Performance Score (better scores are to the right)Price $ (lower is better)

We don’t grade products specifically for the value they offer, but anyone who is concerned about this point should check out the chart above. It represents the price versus performance of each carabiner, with the large blue dots representing award winners, and the smaller grey dots as non-award winners. You can mouse over the dots to see which product they represent. Further to the right represents higher performance, and higher up represents greater cost, so the products that present the best value are those that fall in the lower right of the chart. As you can see both the Petzl Attache and the DMM Phantom Screwgate provide awesome performance at a reasonable price, while our Best Bang for the Buck winner, the Mad Rock Super Tech is far and away the most affordable, and gives pretty decent performance for that price. We also discuss the value of each carabiner in its individual product page, so check that for a more in-depth discussion.

The Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG, with its stainless steel insert, seen here under the belay rope, will last light years longer than a similarly shaped aluminum locker, and so is a great value even though it costs slightly more.

Overall Utility

Overall Utility takes into account how well a locker performs at its intended purpose, as well as how versatile it is. In general, belay lockers, HMS-style pear lockers, and compact/lightweight D-lockers are designed for different purposes, so we first set out determining which were the best products at performing their intended purpose, compared to the competition. However, climbing is a game where you want to carry the least amount of stuff to aid in your performance, so having a locker that can do more than one thing well is a great advantage. So we also took into account the versatility of each locker, meaning its ability to be used in more than one situation without significant drawbacks.

Overall Utility Rating0.02.55.07.510.0Petzl AttacheHMS Bulletproof Triple FGVaporlock MagnetronDMM PhantomPure SliderRocklock ScrewgatePetzl FreinoSuper Tech Keylock ScrewPositronMetolius ElementDMM Belay Master 2109877766665

Lockers are useful for any style of climbing, even single pitch cragging, as shown here. The Vaporlock Magnetron was so light it didn’t bother us to take it to the top of the route to put on the chains as a secure master point for top-roping.

Among all the lockers tested, the Petzl Attache does the best job at combining function and versatility. It is easy to use, is large enough to be used for nearly any purpose, has a very versatile pear-shaped basket, and is light enough to not make you think twice about bringing it on long climbs. For these reasons, it is the highest rated HMS/pear-style locker. Among the lockers designed for belaying, we found the performance of the features on the Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG to be far superior to the others. Its triple-action locking mechanism is super secure for belaying, it has an internal spring bar that keeps it properly oriented, and the stainless steel insert greatly increases longevity and decreases wear. While it is pretty heavy, we felt that it was also relatively versatile for use in anchor setups as well. Among the compact/lightweight lockers we found that the Edelrid Pure Slider and the DMM Phantom Screwgate were roughly equal in terms of overall utility. The Pure Slider didn’t function as well as a locker as the DMM Phantom, but we found it to be more versatile in a number of different situations, so scored them the same. Overall Utility accounted for 25% of a product’s final score.

Using a tiny and compact locker, like the black Super Tech shown here, as the second locker in an auto-block belay device, saves weight and space and works great. Using a locker with round stock in this situation will help the rope feed easier, but we prefer to carry less weight.

Ease of Unlocking and Locking

The 11 lockers tested in this review include six different styles of locking mechanism: the classic screw lock found on five of them, a double-action twist auto-locker (Petzl Freino), a triple-action twist auto-locker (Edelrid HMS Bulletproof), a sliding locker (Edelrid Pure Slider), a magnetic auto-locker (BD Vaporlock Magnetron), and a screw gate with plastic safety bar (DMM Belay Master 2). By repeatedly opening and closing these gates we learned that they range from very quick to relatively laborious, and super easy to requiring great dexterity. For this metric, gates that were quick and easy to open scored the highest, and ones that took longer and were more difficult scored lower. While screw gates require the same action to either lock or unlock, auto-locking ‘biners snap closed and locked automatically, making them super easy to lock. However, they often require more dexterity to unlock, and can sometimes be annoying to unlock in order to simply remove it from a harness loop.

Ease of Unlocking and Locking Rating0.02.55.07.510.0Petzl FreinoPure SliderDMM PhantomPetzl AttacheSuper Tech Keylock ScrewRocklock ScrewgatePositronMetolius ElementVaporlock MagnetronHMS Bulletproof Triple FGDMM Belay Master 2109877666544

In order to unlock the Vaporlock Magentron, you must depress the bottoms of these two gold levers by squeezing them on either side of the gate, allowing them to come off their magnets and the gate to be pushed open.

With its double-action twist auto-lock, the Petzl Freino was far and away the quickest and easiest locker to lock and unlock. It locks by itself every time in a snap, and to unlock you simply turn the gate ¼ turn and open it. This can easily be accomplished with one hand almost instantly. The Edelrid Pure Slider has a tiny little sliding lock that snaps over the tip of the nose when the gate is closed, and was the second quickest and easiest to unlock and lock. To unlock, simply slide the lock down with the thumb as you open the gate, and it then snaps closed and locks by itself (most of the time). Among screw gate lockers, the DMM Phantom was far and away the easiest and quickest. It needs only two full revolutions, or four half twists, of the screw gate to move from fully locked to fully unlocked, less than any other screw lock, and also features very smooth, buttery twisting action. We found the DMM Belay Master 2 and the Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple to be the slowest and most difficult to lock and unlock. In the case of the Belay Master 2, with its plastic clip that must be snapped in place after screwing closed, this is by design. But the dexterity needed to manipulate the triple action unlocking maneuver of the Edelrid Bulletproof was one we could not master with only one hand. Ease of Unlocking and Locking accounted for 25% of a product’s final score.

Compactness and Weight

Gone are the days when carabiners were made of thick, heavy steel. Today most ‘biners are made of an alloy of aluminum, which is far lighter than steel but can still be engineered to meet CE testing requirements for breaking strength. Also common these days are ‘biners made with an I-beam construction, rather than a fully rounded rod of metal (although these are still common as well). I-beam design allows engineers to remove more metal while still meeting testing certifications, thereby further lightening the load of a single ‘biner. Of course, using aluminum alloys in a lighter weight construction comes with the downside that these ‘biners may show wear and need to be retired sooner, but for most climbers carrying less weight per item, multiplied by all of the many trinkets we need to carry with us up the rock, makes a noticeable difference in comfort, performance, and also fun, making weight something worth paying attention to.

Compactness and Weight Rating0.02.55.07.510.0DMM PhantomPure SliderSuper Tech Keylock ScrewPetzl AttacheVaporlock MagnetronPositronHMS Bulletproof Triple FGMetolius ElementPetzl FreinoRocklock ScrewgateDMM Belay Master 2109988755443

With a rack this size, needed for aiding up the clean route Lunar Ecstasy is Zion National Park, saving weight on lockers (and every other piece of gear for that matter) can be a huge plus.

Compactness is another factor to consider when choosing which lockers to buy. In many cases, you simply don’t need a large locker that can adequately hold a Munter-hitch (like HMS style lockers are designed to do), and having a smaller locker will not only save weight once again, but also take up less space on your harness. Why would we want our climbing gear to be smaller if possible? Well, chimney your way up into the narrows of the Steck-Salathe in Yosemite, and I think you will find a good answer! To rate for compactness and lightweight, we measured each locker on our independent scale, counting grams to be more accurate, and then adjusted the scores accordingly depending on how small or large they were. Smaller and lighter meant higher scores.

Using the super light and compact Pure Slider as an anchor attachment on a multi-pitch bolted climb at Smith Rock. It clearly holds a hitch just fine, and here is shown also backed up with a personal anchor system daisy chain.

The king when it comes to compactness and lightness is the DMM Phantom Screwgate, advertised as the lightest locking carabiner in the world. At 41g (1.45 oz.) it is lighter even than the Edelrid Pure Slider, which came in second (43g, 1.52 oz.), even though the Phantom comes with a screw gate, which is bulkier and more secure than the sliding lock mechanism of the Pure Slider. The Mad Rock Super Tech Keylock Screw (45g, 1.59 oz.), was a very close third to these other mega lightweights. Worth pointing out is that both the Petzl Attache (57g, 2.01 oz.) and the BD Vaporlock Magnetron (56g, 1.98 oz.) were barely any heavier, less than half an ounce, but offer more versatility. Compactness and lightweight account for 20% of a product’s overall score.

Gate Security

Let’s face it, if you didn’t want the gate to stay locked closed, you would just buy a wiregate ‘biner. While all of these lockers are going to stay closed once they are locked, some of us have slightly less trust in the gear, or more propensity to OCD behavior, than others, making gate security an important thing to consider. Auto-locking ‘biners offer the most gate security because they lock automatically when they close. If the gate is closed, you can rest assured it is locked. Screw gate lockers, on the other hand, have a large caveat: you have to remember to screw them locked. Ask any experienced climber if they have ever forgotten to screw the gate of their locker closed and you are bound to hear some stories.

Gate Security Rating0.02.55.07.510.0HMS Bulletproof Triple FGVaporlock MagnetronPetzl FreinoDMM Belay Master 2Petzl AttacheDMM PhantomSuper Tech Keylock ScrewRocklock ScrewgatePositronMetolius ElementPure Slider109987666664

The Vaporlock Magnetron is the best auto-locker we tested, featuring double magnetized levers on each side of the gate that hold it locked closed. Its pear shape makes it super versatile and great for belaying.

With its auto-locking closure and triple-action unlocking mechanism, the Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG is the most secure locker that we tested. The BD Vaporlock Magnetron and the Petzl Freino are also auto-locking, but are a bit easier to open up, although it’s virtually impossible to imagine a scenario where they would open on their own. Among the screw gate lockers, the DMM Belay Master features a plastic clip that snaps over the closed, locked gate, ensuring that it cannot unscrew or open on its own, and providing a solid visual indicator. The Petzl Attache also comes with a visual indicator, a solid red stripe across the gate that you can see if it is unlocked, but which becomes covered up when locked. Gate security accounts for 20% of a product’s final score.

Screw gates have the unfortunate disadvantage of occasionally coming open on their own due to the vibrations of the rope or being knocked against the rope helping the screw the loosen and slip downwards. Orienting them upside down, as shown here, prevents this from happening as gravity keeps the gate closed.

Gate Clearance

Different sizes and shapes of carabiners have different amounts of gate clearance. Gate clearance is the amount of space, at its narrowest point, between the gate and the nose when the gate is fully open. Gate clearance isn’t a very important feature if you intend to simply clip one sling or rope through your locker, but when you are using a locker as a master point and have multiple ropes or knots clipped to it, then clearance can become an issue. In particular, if too many items are clipped to a single small locker, it can at times become difficult to get the gate open and slide a rope or knot out. This is why we often carry a couple of HMS-style large lockers to use as master points on multi-pitch anchors, and then top off our rack with far smaller and lighter lockers with much less carrying capacity and gate clearance.

Gate Clearance Rating0.02.55.07.510.0Petzl AttacheHMS Bulletproof Triple FGRocklock ScrewgateVaporlock MagnetronMetolius ElementDMM Belay Master 2Pure SliderPositronSuper Tech Keylock ScrewDMM PhantomPetzl Freino109987655433

With its large capacity, the Rocklock screwgate makes for an excellent master point for an equalized anchor, as it is easily able to hold a clove hitch, as shown here, or even two!

Not surprisingly, smaller, D-shaped lockers have less gate clearance than larger, pear-shaped HMS style. We measured gate clearance with a ruler with the gate fixed open by a rubber band, and those with more clearance scored higher than those with less. We also documented the clearance of each locker in the specs table. The Petzl Attache, despite not being the single largest locker in our review, never-the-less has the most gate clearance at 2.6 cm. Close seconds were the largest lockers tested, the Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate, as well as the Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG at 2.4 cm of clearance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the DMM Phantom has the least amount of clearance, only 1.6 cm. As the least important feature contributing to a locker’s performance, we weighted this metric at only 10%.

Doesn’t get much nicer than topping out just before dark, here testing lockers on a quick late afternoon jaunt up the classic three pitch Zebra Zion at Smith Rock.

Conclusion

Climbing gear companies manufacture all sorts of locking carabiners, most of which are designed with a certain purpose or function in mind. Choosing the right locking carabiner starts by assessing the particular situations that you expect to use it, and then narrowing the search based upon the attributes that will lead to the best performance for those situations. Most climbers own many lockers, so buying a few different types and using them in different situations can help to make the selection process easier. We hope that the information presented here has made your search easier, and we encourage you to check out the individual product pages for each model of locker that you are interested in for more information. Happy climbing!