Nite Ize Figure 9 Carabiner Rope Tightener

I spotted these at REI a few months ago and tried using them as a way to tension my camping hammock. The biners are "rated" at 50lbs. I'm not sure if that is 50lbs static with the gate open or closed. My guess is that the 50lbs rating is the tension required to cause the rope/chord to slip through the tensioning loop. Either way, it's always a good practice to back things up with a few half-hitches cinched up to the biner. n
In any case, one Fig-9 securely held me in my hammock for 2 nights w/o any slippage even in a high wind and hail storm.
Pros: light/compact, easy to use.
Cons: will slip unless a backup knot is used.

There is a reason the Nite Ize Figure 9 tightener won a Backpacker Magazine Editors' Choice award a few years back. They are very easy to use, very convenient, perfect for everything from camping to tying stuff down on a roof rack. Whether it is the Figure 9 biner or the rope tightener, they are definitely worth it. No more knots.

I purchased these to make attaching my tarps to the trees a little simpler. I used to have the ridge line attached to the tarp and used a truckers hitch or some other knot to tighten the lines up around a tree or pole. Now I reverse this. I use a bowline knot to quickly hitch to the tree and attach the Figure 9 biner to the tarp tie outs and then quickly tighten up and center up the tarp. Takes seconds to do and almost as quick to undo.

I do suggest a backup knot of some kind once everything is set. Under high loads some cords can start to slip. With a slippery half-hitch the thing is solid and does not move.

Well worth the small weight penalty to me.

I run a hunting guide service out of Soccoro, NM and securing gear to the top of our range rovers during antelope hunts is a hassle. This little item made my life easier. No more loose tie downs on the roof racks. I would highly recommend this product.
AJ Hunting Outfitters