This post is all about the best carabiners for keys that you can add to your EDC in 2023. Read on to see our top recommendations!
Living an active lifestyle in today’s world looks very different than it did in years past. People are getting out more often, hiking, biking, and adventuring. With this shift in activity comes a shift in EDC gear like knives, wallets, and the star of this article: the EDC carabiner.
Once relatively exclusive to the mountain climbing and mountaineering world, carabiners are far more popular today. You can find carabiners securing keyrings to backpacks and belt loops in urban settings just as often as you’ll see them in cliffside camps.
Having evolved just as much as our lifestyles have, carabiners can serve many functions. These spring-loaded clips can keep your keys securely in place, double as a bottle opener, serve as a multitool, or, of course, allow you to tackle a 5.10 ascent safely (climbing skills not included).
Before you head out to your local climbing shop for the best carabiner for your keys, you should understand the different types of products on the market and which will work the best for your lifestyle.
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best carabiners for keys you can buy right now:
Great choice for any guy looking for a convenient way to hang keys, bags, and other gear from almost anywhere.
The Nite Ize S-Biner has individual latches with independent locks, allowing you to secure an item on one ring while you use the other for latching to your belt loop or bag.
WESN makes these carabiners from a single piece of machined titanium, and its minimalist design is really impressive.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
Shopping Considerations
Carabiners are light years ahead of where they used to be. Once manufacturers understood how much of an impact they would make on the EDC world, they started packing them full of features and specialized uses.
Here are some features to keep in mind when you’re shopping through the best carabiner for keys.
Size
Carabiners for your keys and other gear come in a wide variety of sizes. Some are small enough to blend right in with your keys, tucking away nicely in a pocket. Others are large enough to handle hanging a large backpack from a tabletop.
Whichever carabiner you decide on, make sure its size works for your lifestyle. It’s all about balance. Buy one large enough to handle your daily needs but small enough that it won’t get in your way.
Material
Unless you’re a climber or a serious EDC enthusiast, you might not realize how many different materials carabiners can come in. Each material has its pros and cons, so it’s worth doing a little research before deciding on a carabiner.
Common materials include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. Steel is the least expensive but also the heaviest. Titanium is the lightest and strongest, but it’s also expensive compared to the other metals.
If you’re just using your carabiner for keys, a steel or stainless steel carabiner will work quite well. On the other hand, if there’s a chance your carabiner might pull double-duty in a real weight-bearing situation, you might want to consider a titanium carabiner.
Functions
What you need from a carabiner is an important factor when choosing the best one.
If you prefer your EDC kit to serve multiple purposes, there are carabiners that can deliver. Some models can double as a multitool, with built-in screwdrivers, wrenches, and knives. Many have built-in bottle openers as well.
If there’s a chance that you might actually need to use your carabiner for its intended purpose, you’ll want to go with a traditional climbing carabiner. They’re on the larger side, but they tend to be lightweight and will hold your keys just as well. They just don’t have any built-in features.
The Best Carabiners for Keys in 2023
There are so many great carabiners for keys on the market. Some have cool and unique designs, while others are just strong and streamlined. Choosing a carabiner from this list can really round-out your EDC kit and ensure that your keys stay put.
RoxyVon Utility U8
Guys looking for a high-quality lightweight carabiner should check out the RoxyVon Utility U8. This double-loop carabiner features titanium construction, making it lightweight and durable while still fitting in with a minimalist design.
For such a lightweight, compact carabiner, there’s a lot to love. It measures 2.64 inches long and just over 1.25 inches wide. Thanks to its titanium construction, it weighs less than an ounce.
It also has a dual loop design that allows you to clip it to your belt loop or bag without your keyring slipping off.
Pros:
- Compact Design
- Double Loop
- Titanium Construction
Cons:
- No Color Choice
While the sandblasted polish is a nice look, there aren’t any other color choices available. Adding a black or green option would definitely add to the RoxyVon’s style.
The James Brand Holcombe
Guys that want their carabiner to blend in with their minimalist style rather than stand out should definitely give The Holcombe from The James Brand a look. This carabiner comes in both titanium and stainless steel, each with its own look and color.
The Holcombe measures 3 inches long, .875 inches wide, and .25 inches thick, so it hangs nice and flat from your belt loop. The stainless steel comes with a black finish, while the titanium has a raw, tumbled look.
The bent wire latch divides two loops, so you’re less likely to drop your keys when snapping The Holcombe on. It also has a built-in flat screwdriver that doubles as a scraper.
Pros:
- Awesome Minimalist Design
- Choice of Two Materials
- Double Loop
Cons:
- No Locking Feature (but we’re splitting hairs here)
The only real downside of The Holcombe is that the latch doesn’t lock, but that doesn’t matter to everyone. If you don’t need a locking latch, The Holcombe is a great choice.
WESN CB Carabiner
Guys that want carabiner unlike any other should check out the WESN CB carabiner. WESN makes these carabiners from a single piece of machined titanium, and its minimalist design is really impressive.
The CB measures 2.5 inches long, 1 inch wide, and just .175 inches thick. It only weighs .5 ounce, so it works just as well clipped to a backpack as it does in a pocket. It’s available in a raw titanium or a black finish, both of which look equally as good.
Pros:
- Unique Design
- High Quality Materials
Cons:
- Premium Price Tag
The only downside to the WESN is its price tag, but it’s definitely worth it. The design and quality alone could demand a higher price, so you could actually consider it a deal.
PPFISH Titanium Carabiner Keychain
If you were hoping to spend a little less on your key carabiner, you should definitely check out the PPFISH Titanium Carabiner Keychain. This simple titanium carabiner offers plenty of functionality without a massive price tag.
The PPFISH won’t get in your way, with its compact 2-inch length and width just under 1.2 inches. Built from titanium, it weighs only 7.5 grams, so it’s unlikely that you’ll even notice it on your hip.
Pros:
- Titanium Construction
- Two Separate Loops
- Great Price
Cons:
- Difficult to Get a Split Ring On and Off
This carabiner has a separate, solid loop for your key ring. While that’s great for the security of your keys, it can be difficult to remove your keyring or add additional keyrings. You don’t have to store your keys on the solid loop, however. You can latch them onto the carabiner instead.
Black Diamond HotForge
Guys looking for a more rugged approach to carrying their keys will like the Black Diamond HotForge carabiner’s traditional styling and heavy-weight capacity.
Black Diamond uses a hot-forged process to allow them to remove material where it isn’t necessary and add it where it needs reinforcing. It also has a one-hand screw-lock to ensure it locks in place on your belt loop, bag, or anywhere else you can clip it.
The Black Diamond is a legit climbing carabiner, so it’s large compared to the EDC models on the list. It also weighs quite a bit more, tipping the scale at 50 grams.
Pros:
- Traditional Climbing Carabiner
- Screw-Lock Closure
Cons:
- No Built-In Features
- Larger and Heavier Than Standard EDC Carabiners
The benefit is that this carabiner is the weight capacity to get you out of a jam if you ever need it. The downside is the bulk that comes along with the capability.
HEROCLIP Carabiner Clip and Hook
The HEROCLIP Carabiner is a great choice for any guy looking for a convenient way to hang keys, bags, and other gear from almost anywhere. The medium-sized model can handle up to 60 pounds and measures 3 inches by 3.75 inches when closed.
The HEROCLIP has a unique design, with a built-in hook that allows you to hang it from almost anywhere while it hangs onto your gear securely. It also rotates 360 degrees as well. The hook has a rubber-coated tip to prevent scratching surfaces.
Pros:
- Can Hang On Anything
- 60 Pound Weight Capacity
Cons:
- Large and Heavy
The only downside of the HEROCLIP is that it’s bulky. It’s the biggest carabiner on the list, and it weighs 2 grams unloaded.
Black Diamond Litewire
If you’re after a traditional climbing carabiner without any frills or extras, the Black Diamond Litewire is the way to go. This is an actual climbing carabiner that can just as easily hold your weight as it can hold your keys.
Black Diamond uses their hot-forged construction when making the Litewire, so it’s as light as an affordable climbing carabiner can be. It is a bit large, however, as it needs to handle ropes and other climbing attachments. It comes in several different colors as well.
Pros:
- Strong Climbing Design
- Multiple Colors
Cons:
- No Lock
- Large
Other than its large size, the downside worth mentioning is that it doesn’t lock. The bent spring latch will do a great job of keeping the Litewire closed in most conditions, but it’s worth knowing that it doesn’t lock.
Nite Ize S-Biner SlideLock Carabiner
Check out the Nite Ize S-Biner if you’re looking for a locking carabiner with dual, independent loops. The Nite Ize S-Biner has individual latches with independent locks, allowing you to secure an item on one ring while you use the other for latching to your belt loop or bag.
The Nite Ize comes in three sizes: #2, #3, and #4. The #4 is about the size of a credit card in both width and length. However, it has a 75 pounds weight capacity which is pretty impressive for an EDC carabiner. It has dual latches, each with its own Slidelock for securing it shut.
Pros:
- Separate Loops with Individual Latches
- Slidelocks Keep Latches Locked Shut
Cons:
- Loud Logo and Branding
The S-Biner is an awesome option. The only real complaint is its loud branding and logo. It will stand out against a traditional or minimalist guy’s style.
RoxyVon U4 Titanium Carabiner
The RoxyVon U4 Titanium Carabiner is an excellent choice for guys looking for a carabiner with some built-in extras. This dual-loop carabiner has a built-in scalpel knife and a ruler for a bit of additional functionality.
The RoxyVon is compact and attractive. It measures 2.64 inches long, 1.26 inches wide, and .15 inches in thickness. It weighs 15.6 grams as well.
While the RoxyVon is of titanium construction, it’s not exactly lightweight. Also, the U4’s knife uses a scalpel blade, so it isn’t durable.
Pros:
- Lightweight Titanium Construction
- Built-In Knife
Cons:
- Blade Isn’t Sturdy
You’ll find yourself replacing it frequently if you use it much. A more permanent knife that could take an edge with a sharpener might’ve made it a better carabiner.
Valtcan Titanium Carabiner Multitool
When it comes to functionality, the Valtcan Titanium Carabiner Multitool is at the top of the list. This multitool features a carabiner for your keys, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, several wrenches, and a bottle opener.
Pros:
- Tons of Built-In Tools
Cons:
- Bulky
The Valtcan measures 2.3 inches long, 1.0 inch wide, and .2 inches thick. While the size itself isn’t really an issue, it does weigh almost 18 grams, so it’s not exactly lightweight despite its titanium construction.
Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock
If you’re looking for a multi-carabiner solution for your EDC needs, the Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock 5-pack might be just the ticket. This set of five carabiners works similarly to its bigger counterparts, with dual loops with individual latches.
However, the S-Biner Microlock uses one central lock for securing the latches as opposed to separate Slidelocks.
The Microlock is small. It’s so little, in fact, that it’s likely smaller than the keys you’ll be putting on it. The tiny size helps to make it lightweight for easy carry.
Pros:
- Comes in a 5-Pack
- Locking Latches
Cons:
- Could Actually Be Too Mini for Some Guys
The truth is that the Microlock might actually be too small for some guys. While you can certainly use it for a keyring, it might be hard to get something this small to latch onto your belt.
Final Thoughts
The best carabiner for your keys will come down to many factors, but you should be able to find your solution on this list. If you’re looking for a mini carabiner for a solo key that you’re afraid to lose, check out the Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock.
If you’re after a heavy-duty carabiner that you can hang off a restaurant table or workbench, check out the HEROCLIP for its functionality and built-in features. If you’re just looking for a high-quality carabiner with a minimalist design, The James Brand Holcombe can get the job done.
Whichever carabiner that you choose, be sure it helps you fill in the gaps in your EDC game.
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