Simond Spider Carabiner - 2007 BCS

I got my hands on a bunch of these for my very first set of quickdraws. After using them, I've been spoiled as every other biner on the market now feel difficult and awkward to clip. There's simply no way to get the Spiders snagged while clipping or unclipping as the motion is just so smooth.

I'd seen these biners in one of the climbing rags and liked the idea. Not only are these biners notchless, like the Black Diamond positron or the petzl spirit, but the nose itself is a solid smooth bar. Indeed it is very easy to clean these biners from bolts, especially useful on overhanging sport routes when you have to all but wrestle standard biners. However, these biners feel really odd in your hands, and the gate action is rough. I only bought the straight gate, as I like wires for the clip end of draws.

Simond's Spider biner, both bent and straight gate, is the best keylock type biner on the market. I've used Petzl Spirits and other (e.g. Kong) keylock biners, and the Spider beats them. Well-made, best design, great shape, I have slowly been converting all my draws to Spiders. This biner frightened Petzl so much, they sued Simond (for patent infringement) to keep it off the market. Petzl's tactic kept the Spider off of shelves for a few years, but Petzl lost their suit, and climbers can finally get this great biner again. If you want to enjoy smooth clipping and uncliping, get some Spiders.