What Carabiners Are and Why Travelers Use Them
A carabiner is a metal loop with a spring-loaded gate, originally designed for rock climbing. But travelers have discovered dozens of uses for them: securing backpack straps, hanging gear in small rooms, attaching items to bags, emergency repairs, and even makeshift clotheslines.
They're cheap ($2-10 each), nearly indestructible, and take up almost no space. Most experienced RTW travelers carry 2-4 carabiners.
Types of Carabiners
Not all carabiners are equal. Different designs serve different purposes:
Locking vs. Non-Locking
Non-locking carabiners: The classic design. The gate opens with a simple push. Fast to clip and unclip. Less secure for critical applications but fine for most travel uses.
Cost: $2-5 each
Locking carabiners: The gate requires turning before opening, providing extra security. Useful for expensive items or situations where accidentally opening matters.
Cost: $5-15 each
D-shaped vs. Oval
D-shaped carabiners: Asymmetrical, lighter, stronger, and more efficient for climbing. Better for serious gear use.
Oval carabiners: Symmetrical, easier to clip items, better for general travel use where you're just attaching things.
Size Matters
Small carabiners (30mm): Lightweight, fit on keychains, good for light items. Limit: 1,500-2,000 lbs
Medium carabiners (40mm): The sweet spot for travel. Easy to handle, hold plenty of weight, not too bulky. Limit: 2,000-3,500 lbs
Large carabiners (50mm): Overkill for most travel. Heavier and bulkier. Only if you're serious about rock climbing or need to clip very thick straps.
For RTW travel, carry 1-2 medium non-locking carabiners and 1-2 small locking carabiners.
Travel Uses for Carabiners
Securing Backpack Straps
Hostel theft is real. Carabiners let you clip your backpack to a fixed point (bed frame, radiator, heavy furniture). It won't stop a determined thief, but it prevents opportunistic theft.
Clip one strap of your backpack through a carabiner attached to the bed frame. Someone grabbing it will encounter resistance and likely give up.
Hanging Gear in Small Rooms
Small rooms have limited space. Hang wet clothes, towels, or bags from a carabiner attached to a window frame, curtain rod, or hook. This keeps them off the floor and creates drying space.
Creating an Improvised Clothesline
String a light cord between two fixed points and use carabiners to hang clothes. This works in hostels with limited drying space.
Emergency Gear Tie-Downs
Something broken? A carabiner can:
- Temporarily attach a backpack zipper that's failing
- Secure a broken backpack strap
- Hold a backpack closed if the main zipper is damaged
- Attach a bag to your backpack frame
Organizing Gear
Clip multiple small bags together using carabiners. Organize items without rummaging through your whole backpack.
First Aid and Repair
A carabiner can hold a tourniquet if you're hiking and injury occurs. It's not standard first aid equipment, but the principle works.
Buying Carabiners for Travel
What to look for:
- Weight rating at least 2,000 lbs
- Straight-gate or ball-lock design (simple and reliable)
- Aluminum construction (light and strong enough for travel)
- Smooth edges (won't tear gear)
Popular brands:
- Black Diamond: Premium, reliable, slightly expensive
- Metolius: Good quality, reasonable price
- Generic outdoor brands: Fine for travel; you don't need fancy climbing gear
Where to buy:
- Outdoor retailers (REI, Decathlon, etc.): Higher price, reliable quality
- Online (Amazon, etc.): Cheaper, but verify ratings
- Local hardware stores: Sometimes have cheap options
Spend $3-8 per carabiner. You don't need premium climbing gear for travel use.
What to Pack
For an RTW trip, carry:
- **Two medium non-locking carabiners**: General purpose, easy to use
- **One small locking carabiner**: For things you don't want accidentally opening
Total weight: less than 3 ounces. Cost: $10-20.
Safety Considerations
Carabiners are strong, but understand limits:
- **They won't support you**: A carabiner can hold 2,000+ pounds in the proper direction, but abuse or side-loading weakens them
- **Check before critical use**: If you're relying on a carabiner for serious weight (like securing yourself), verify it's in good condition and rated for that weight
- **Inspect regularly**: If a carabiner is bent, cracked, or damaged, replace it
- **Use proper technique**: Clip items through the loop, not around the gate
DIY Uses Travelers Don't Always Think About
- **Suspend a bear bag** (if camping): Clip a bag to a carabiner attached to a rope hung over a branch
- **Create a pulley system**: With rope and carabiners, create a simple mechanical advantage for moving heavy items
- **Repair a broken bag**: Clip a torn strap back together temporarily
- **Secure a tent guy line**: In windy conditions, extra anchor points help
- **Mark your tent**: Clip a carabiner with a flag or bright tape to your tent for easy finding in crowded campsites
The Minimalist Approach
If you don't want to carry multiple carabiners, one medium non-locking carabiner covers most uses. The second one provides redundancy and allows simultaneous use cases.
Why Carabiners Beat Other Solutions
Vs. rope: Carabiners are faster and don't require tying knots
Vs. Velcro straps: Carabiners are reusable, stronger, and work with different diameters
Vs. padlocks: Carabiners are lighter and faster to use
Vs. duct tape: Carabiners provide repeated secure attachment without permanent commitment
They're not perfect for everything, but they're incredibly versatile.
Conclusion
Carabiners are one of the most practical, lightweight travel items. They cost almost nothing, weigh almost nothing, and solve numerous problems. Every RTW traveler should carry at least one.
If you find yourself improvising solutions for securing things, hanging items, or emergency repairs, you'll quickly understand why carabiners are so popular with experienced travelers.