Back in college, I had a friend that clipped his water bottle to his backpack with an oversized screw-lock carabiner, and I always thought it was impractical. I have also seen keychain-sized or non-load-rated carabiners used improperly in ways that were just as eyebrow-raising.
There’s a middle-ground size of carabiner that I have come to favor, with the Fusion Contigua. It’s a smallish carabiner, ~3-3/8″ long, that can be used to clip or secure accessories such as water bottles or pouches to bags, and it’s far sturdier than $2 keychain carabiners that might only be rated to 75 pounds or so.
Advertisement
I have a wire-gate Fusion carabiner, and a straight-gate, and I prefer the wire-gate a little more, just based on how it feels to open and close the spring-action gate. If you don’t have a preference, the straight-gate version is a little less expensive.
What I like about these carabiners is that they’re versatile in everyday use, without being flashy or going overboard. They’re small and discreet, but extremely strong, durable, reliable, and effective.
The Fusion Contigua isn’t the only carabiner I own – I went on a “try ’em out” shopping spree last year when I needed more – but it’s one of my favorites. I also still have a box of keychain/accessory carabiners from when the hardware store clearanced them out, and they’re good for miscellaneous uses too.
Price: $6-7
Buy Now(via Amazon)
You can get similarly styled accessory carabiners at lower unit prices. But for something that will last for years (I bought my Fusions in 2015 and 2017, and they’re still going strong), I’m happy to pay more for a higher quality product.
Advertisement
The Contigua carabiners are made in the USA and have the load rating (23kN) written on the side.
Joel A.
I used to rock climb in a former life, and used my normal climbing carabiners for clipping everything. They are rugged and dependable, which makes them amazing for clipping heavier stuff reliably, but you will quickly realize the downside of a connection point that can easily support your bodyweight from free fall – sometimes a weak point is good. Had one clipped to my belt loop barely catch a door strike plate and I got to lose a belt loop real quick.
Toolfreak
Hadn’t heard of the Fusions before, but it’s great there’s still USA-made options for a reasonable price.
I bought a Black Diamond cababiner at a retail store almost two decades ago, (back when they were made in the USA too) have used in daily as a keychain, and though it’s of course a little scratched up, it’s still in fantastic functional shape.
It’s great to have something that can be quickly used to clip one thing to another, and that can easily support a person, or more than one in a pinch.
I’d agree there are times when you’d be better off using something that will be the weak link and break rather than the more expensive stuff it’s clipped to, but there are plenty of cheapo clip packs for such applications, just buy a bunch when you find them and leave the cheap clips on whatever it is so you don’t have to break out the nice USA-made clip every time.
Ton
You should add actual pics for size reference.
Koko The Talking Ape
I have yet to find an application where a carabiner isn’t huge overkill. For attaching gear to other gear, I’ve made hooks from coat-hanger wire (the vinyl coated kind), or just used nylon cord or velcro straps. Versatile, cheap and easily strong enough.
Stuart
Every morning I rush 2 preschoolers out the door, with a larger carabiner and 30cm sling used to hold 2 lunchboxes, 2 water bottles, and a small kid-sized backpack. I use the same to haul everything back in the house at the end of the day. It’s been going strong for over a year, and I’ve used it a bunch of other times too. It costs about $10-12 in total, and has been far more convenient and comfortable than anything I’ve tried to use before.
The beauty of carabiners is that they’re versatile and both quick to attach and quick to release.
Koko The Talking Ape
Well preschool-level work is a whole ‘nother thing. I’m just an amateur. 😉
Jimmie
If my goal is to find something to clip a 2lb water bottle to my bag, what’s the advantage to spending $6-7 for one of these carabiners if the $2 clips are themselves good for 50-75 lbs?
Stuart
I’ve broken a few over the years (the spring gates), and the smaller size and lower strength limits the versatility of cheap accessory/utility/keychain carabiners.
If you’re looking for a less expensive product, Nite Ize’s S-biners are good.
Basically, this isn’t an automatic “better than cheap carabiners” product (although it is indeed better), it’s more of a “hey, this is out there” suggestion for anyone who, like me, was looking for something better that didn’t cost too much.
Brian M
I feel that Nite Ize makes very good products. Super cheap carabiners are a waste. Something $3+ is where you’ll find something that lasts…I don’t think $7 is unreasonable.
It’s funny, I spend thousands of dollars on Amazon every year…my most used item is a water bottle that I annoyingly paid $15. In retrospect, it was dumb for me to balk at the cost. If you’re going to use it a lot, don’t feel bad spending a little more for something good. That $7 carabiner is cheaper than one trip to Starbucks.
Joe framer
Appreciate the ..made in the USA…tool suggestion..love to see that
Mahalo
I have found my climbing carabiner (which I use for hammock) to be quite the perfect device for hanging my hardhat onto my backpack when I fly for work. I prefer to travel light and have never had trouble with the backpack/hardhat combo qualifying as my “personal item”. That’s great, because the hardhat won’t take up space in my carry-on should I need to pack for a night or two.
george curtis
As a paraplegic, I have used mostly the cheap carabiners now for 19 years. Never had a failure and they are easily used. I also love the large ones from harbor freight. I have few of the ones mentioned and they are good also. I have tons of them just in case.
jdough
Climbing for 20 years and have found this full strength ‘biner to have the best price to very small / ultralight ratio. While serviceable for clipping ropes, I keep these scattered around for all kinds of gear and impromptu rigging. Usually $6 each. https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/fs_mini_carabiner.html https://www.amazon.com/Metolius-FS-Mini-Carabiner-Blue/dp/B00XPSM5UW/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1547928043&sr=1-1&refinements=p_89%3AMetolius
it’s_jake
I’m late to the party, but if you want to spend _more_ the petzl ange is a fantastic piece of kit. i’ve been using one to clip my keys for about 10 years and it’s as smooth as the day i got it. keyless single wire gate- never snags on my belt loops, effortless clipping. plus climbing rated