Following its review of the top quickdraws for rock climbing, OutdoorGearLab has published a thorough buying advice guide.
PRLog - Jun. 16, 2014 - CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- OutdoorGearLab begins its buying advice article for the best quickdraws for rock climbing by breaking down the components of this important piece of gear: the carabiner and the sling. Gear editor Cam McKenzie Ring explains that all the rock climbing carabiners found in this quickdraw review are comprised of aluminum, which is lighter but less durable than the steel that was once commonly used. In discussing durability, she reminds readers that it is critical that climbers regularly check their gear for excessive or sharp grooving. In fact, safety is a common theme throughout the article. Ring not only clearly explains the importance of kilonewton ratings and how big falls can affect gear over time, but also discusses the effects that your climbing environment (UV rays, salt water) can have on gear. Read on as we summarize the article’s highlights.
The quickdraw buying advice article continues its explanation of carabiners by outlining the difference between hot- and cold-forged models. In recent years, many companies have started manufacturing hot-forged carabiners because it allows them to create lighter weight products. While some manufacturers believe that the older cold-forging methods result in fewer product irregularities, light-weight, hot-forged carabiners have made an enormous impact on the market. Ring also notes that hot-forged models are slightly less durable than their counterparts and recommends cold-forged products if a long-lasting product is your top concern.
Next, the article gives a brief but important explanation of what all the numbers printed on each carabiner mean. These strength ratings refer to the force that the carabiner can hold with the gate opened and closed. All the carabiners in this review met the minimum requirements of the European Committee for Standardization, but some were slightly stronger than others. Although carabiners rarely fail, it is important that climbers be educated about the “physics of rock climbing,” as this gives them a better understanding of the limitations of their gear.
Finally, Ring wraps up her review of carabiner style and construction by describing the different types of gates consumers can choose. On a basic level, climbers can choose between wire and solid gate carabiners, but within each category, manufacturers have several different designs to choose from. This section also explains gate flutter, and how different gate styles help reduce the chances of this dangerous phenomenon.
Following this thorough informative section, the article moves on to discuss the sling or “dogbone” that connects the quickdraw’s two carabiners. In the current market, the primary sling materials are nylon and polyester (Dynex, Dyneema, Spectra). Two of the the largest long-term safety concerns with these slings are abrasion and UV rays. Especially when dealing with nylon slings, the sun can take a big toll on strength. Ring reminds readers that they should be cautious about clipping in-situ draws with slings. After briefly focusing on safety, the article continues by discussing the choices in sling width that consumers have and how sling width affects ease of grabbing. Finally, Ring discusses how weight should factor into the consumer’s decision and ends with solid advice on which quickdraws are best for different types of climbing.
About OutdoorGearLab:
Headquartered in Cheyenne Wyoming, OutdoorGearLab LLC compares products head-to-head to create world’s best outdoor gear reviews. A free resource for outdoor enthusiasts, the company’s website includes reviews of products for activities such as hiking, climbing, backpacking, and camping. OutdoorGearLab employs a team of dedicated Gear Editors who live and play across the country. After testing the outdoor equipment side-by-side, they score the products across a range of weighted categories and publish the results in comparative reviews. Once the competitors are ranked, awards are given to top-performing products. See more at http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/.
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Best Quickdraw Buying Advice Released by OutdoorGearLab
June 16, 2014 at 11:37 AM EDT
