There was a time when I considered the pear-shaped carabiner a "bulky and superfluous" alternative to a D-lock. That was until an unplanned multi-pitch traditional climb made me a complete convert to its genius. The Awkward Start with the Wrong ToolsMy partner and I had planned a three-pitch sport

My journey from park barbecues to traversing remote western regions demanded increasing self-reliance. Tent stakes don't drive themselves into frozen ground, and campfire wood doesn't split automatically. This is where you need a trustworthy "extension of your strength"—a good field hammer. I've use

As an enthusiast who has progressed from casual park camping to high-altitude trekking, my approach to gear has evolved from seeking what's "good enough" to actively "eliminating weak links." After upgrading my tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad to top-tier lightweight models, I turned my attentio

My evolution from a wide-eyed beginner using communal gear at the indoor gym to someone who tentatively leads multi-pitch routes outdoors is almost perfectly mirrored by the upgrade history of my locking carabiners. These three vastly different "life-locks" by my side document all the lessons and re

Attracted by the "dual-hook" efficiency concept, I bought both an aluminum and a stainless-steel S-shaped carabiner for home renovation and camping. After weeks of intensive use, my conclusion is nuanced: it's unparalleled in specific scenarios, but using it wrong leads to annoyance, or worse, dang