How to choose a connector

The choice of the connector that best suits your needs depends on several factors, including the type of activity you have to carry out, the environment in which you are going to operate, the geographical area and therefore the relevant reference regulations. Our catalog of connectors (more commonly called carabiners) boasts more than 300 variants and to find the right one you need to carefully evaluate the following variables.

Materials

Aluminum alloy

Best weight-to-load ratio
Anodizing finish for best resistance in aggressive environments
Attractive appearance, colorful finish

Carbon steel

For heavy-duty and heavy-duty use
New "Lunar White" Zinc-Nickel finish with increased corrosion resistance

Stainless steel

High quality AISI 316L steel
Maximum corrosion resistance
Perfect for marine environments and the food industry
The burnished "BB" finish is available on request

Form

OVAL

Versatile shape that evenly distributes the load between the body and the lever

Asymmetric

Self-closing connector designed to secure the load in a predetermined direction

Symmetrical

Smooth, smooth bends are gentle on the equipment and allow for easy repositioning of loads

HMS

A self-closing connector, HMS is the acronym of the German term Halbmastwurf-Sicherung, intended mainly for dynamic belaying using a "half-boatman" knot

Special

Self-closing connector with complex shapes intended for special uses; can in some cases be connected directly to a specific type of anchor

Quick link

Manual screw lock connector intended for those uses where frequent removal is not required

Safety rings

Screw

This ring is the one commonly used for mountaineering. The Kong version is popular because it operates quickly

Twist Lock

(2 movements) - The twist-lock bezel is optimal for safety and practicality. For this reason, it is preferred in rescue operations and for industrial uses. Available in ANSI approved version (US standard)

Autoblock

(3 movements) - This ring requires three movements to open, so it is intended to perform the most difficult tasks. Available in ANSI approved version (US standard).

Rise Lock

Innovative automatic ring nut that guarantees the practicality of the 2-movement ring nuts, while significantly reducing the risk of accidental opening. To open, it is necessary to perform the two movements of rotation of the ring nut and opening of the lever in a distinct manner and respecting the right sequence

Double gate

This ring nut is preferred for repeated use, as is the case on lifelines, because it is operated quickly and easily

Express

This ring nut is preferred for repeated use, as is the case on lifelines, because it is operated quickly and easily

Rules

The world of regulations is extremely complicated and articulated; For this reason, below is a brief summary that allows you to better understand the tables and choose the most suitable connector for each need.

CE EN 362 (PROFESSIONAL USE - safety at work against falls from height)

(Class B) Base Connector: A self-closing connector for use as a component of a security system.
(Class M) multi-purpose connector: A basic connector or quick link with a screw nut for use as a component, which can be loaded on the major axis and to a lesser extent on the minor axis.
(Class T) terminal connector: a self-closing connector designed to allow attachment as an element of a subsystem in such a way that the load is applied in a predefined direction.
(Class A) anchor connector: self-closing connector, designed to be connected directly to a specific type of anchor as a component.
(Class Q) screw-lock connector (quick link): Screw-lock connector, which becomes part of the connector load when fully screwed in, for use only for long or permanent connections.

CE EN 12275 (RECREATIONAL USE - mountaineering equipment)

(Class B) Base Connector: Self-closing connector for use anywhere in an insurance system.
(Class H) HMS connector: self-closing connector - generally pear-shaped - to be used mainly for dynamic belaying, using for example a half-boatman knot (HMS).
(K-Class) via ferrata connector (Klettersteig): self-closing connector to be used primarily to connect a climber to a via ferrata anchoring system.
(Class T) terminal connector: A self-closing connector designed to ensure that the load is applied in a predefined direction.
(Class A) Specific Anchor Connector: Self-closing connector designed only to be connected directly to a specific class of anchors.
(Class Q) Screw Lock Connector - Quick Mesh: Screw lock connector, which becomes part of the connector load when fully screwed on.
(Class X) oval connector: connector with self-closing and symmetrical shape designed for example for aid climbing and pulleys.

ANSI (American National Standard Institute)

The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) is an organization that oversees the development of standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States.
ANSI/ASSE Z359 is a protection program against falls from height, specifically the ANSI/ASSE Z359.12 standard establishes the minimum requirements of connection elements.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global non-profit organization, founded in 1896, dedicated to eliminating deaths, injuries, economic and property losses due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The NFPA 1983 standard defines the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing and certification of equipment for emergency personnel, dividing it into three categories:

"E" Escape: immediate self-rescue of a single person in charge of emergency or fire services from a fatal emergency situation, generally above ground level, using components of systems or assembled systems designed for evacuation by self-rescue.
"T" Technical use: designation of a piece of equipment or an assembled system designed for technical use loads and evacuations based on calculated and known design loads.
"G" General use: designation of a piece of equipment or assembled system designed for general-purpose loads, technical uses, and evacuations based on calculated and known design loads.

UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme)

The UIAA is the international federation representing mountaineering and climbing associations globally. Founded in 1932, it is responsible for promoting safety in the mountains, environmental sustainability and the development of sport. The UIAA sets technical standards for mountaineering and climbing equipment, certifying products such as carabiners, ropes and helmets to ensure their reliability. It also supports international competitions and initiatives for the protection of mountains.

UIAA 121 – Strength and Testing of Carabiners
- Minimum major axis resistance (with closed nut): ≥ 20 kN
- Major axis resistance (with open nut): ≥ 7 kN
- Minor axis strength: ≥ 7 kN
UIAA 122 – Automatic Closing and Locking
- Standard for carabiners with self-closing and locking systems
UIAA 123 – Corrosion Test
- Corrosion resistance verification to ensure durability
These standards ensure that UIAA-certified carabiners offer high levels of safety for use in extreme environments.

EAC (EurAsian Conformity)

The EAC is a mandatory certification for the marketing of products, including carabiners, in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. This marking certifies the product's compliance with the technical and safety standards established by the EAEU, similar to European (CE) standards. For carabiners, tests verify the strength, materials and reliability of the closure system, ensuring that they are suitable for use in mountaineering, climbing and work at height.

Patents

Keylock

Did you know that Kong was the first company to manufacture KeyLock connectors? This revolutionary locking system patented by Kong in 1985 takes its name from the particular shape of the joint between the lever and the body of the connector, which resembles a door lock. The novelty of the patent is that it has definitively eliminated any sealing tooth both on the body of the connector and on the now completely cylindrical lever. There is no longer any possible entanglement point of the rope or webbing during insertion and release. All the sharp edges of the milling of the connector body and lever, which are no longer necessary, have also been eliminated

Frog

The CLAMP SYSTEM of the FROG connector is a lever concept that distorts the schemes and offers a double movement system with automatic snap closure. Developed in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano and awarded an honorable mention for the Compasso d'Oro Award in 1998, the FROG has become over the years one of Kong's most emblematic products. Conceived and created for mountaineering use, it has found great acclaim in the professional field but also in the world of fashion, leather goods, dog leashes, suspension systems for video cameras and much more...

i-Connector

Innovative connectors equipped with NFC microchips that allow you to always have the history of the device at hand, without the aid of expensive readers, a common smartphone or PC is sufficient.
This solution facilitates and speeds up the periodic inspection phase and avoids dangerous serial number transcription errors.
Compatible with all inspection software

Rise Lock

RISE™ (RIght SEquence) is an innovative automatic bezel patented by Kong, which guarantees the practicality of the 2-movement bezels while significantly reducing the risk of accidental opening. Its operation is as simple as it is effective: for the opening it is necessary to perform the two movements of rotation of the ring nut and opening of the lever in a distinct way and respecting the right sequence. If this sequence is not respected, such as in the case of twisting the rope around the ring nut or rubbing against an edge, the locking system intervenes, preventing accidental opening