How to Choose Carabiners

Add an extra measure of safety and convenience to your braking system with the Petzl Freino locking carabiner—its gated spur enhances braking friction.
Imported.
View all Petzl CarabinersBest Use | Climbing |
---|---|
Carabiner Type | Locking |
Gate Type | Auto-lock |
Gate Open Clearance | 15 millimeters |
Strength Major Axis Closed | 25 kilonewtons |
Strength Major Axis Open | 9 kilonewtons |
Strength Minor Axis | 10 kilonewtons |
Dimensions | 103 x 80 millimeters |
Weight | 85 grams |
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I picked the Freino to pair with my GriGri and, frankly, it's fine. The little hook for your rope when lowering or rappelling is nice but not game changing. It has quite a few drawbacks, however: -It is a really small carabiner - far smaller than most belay 'biners. -Because of the size and shape, it doesn't really hang on your harness or gear sling well without the hook being a bit hazardous. -Also due to size and shape, it is only useful for belaying/rappelling with specific devices. Overall, I feel like you are better off getting two regular carabiners and using both in your belay loop (one for the belay device, one to clip the rope for extra friction).
The biner works fine with a Simple, but US cave rigging practices (IRT) are not conducive with it. The problem has a few layers to it: First: because of the position of the friction spur, the gate has to face away from you. Next: in US caving, it is very common to rig the rope such that it is laying on the ground. Often this means the caver must negotiate over a ledge while descending. Third: the gate is only double-action... if the biner is scraped across the lip/ledge, it can twist the gate and it be pushed open. **I writing this warning because I have scraped/pushed open the gate on the edge of a pit while on-rope to rappel.** I would be hesitant to put a new caver (in the US) on this biner, and would opt instead for an Am'D screwgate biner with a Raumer Handy as the brake.
Bought this carabiner so my daughter can easily add extra friction while belaying me. I am almost 2x my daughter's weight and she loves belaying me with the Freino tied into a GRIGRI+.
I bought this to help when I'm on belay and lowering my heavier partner, it works like a charm. Some other reviews made me worry it would be too small, I use it with a grigri and have no complaints re size or anything else. It's super easy to clip the rope thru the freino ahead of lowering and makes a meaningful difference in taking off some of the weight. My partner is about 70 pounds heavier than me.
Seeing as HMS means a carabiner is munter specific, I'm surprised Petzl didn't come up with something similar for this carabiner and GriGris. My personal GriGri feels incomplete without the Freino, especially in the many different guiding scenarios I get with clients through Pisgah Climbing School. When I first borrowed this years ago from a friend, it felt bulky and less versatile due to the required configuration and shape. Years later, it's a core tool in my kit, whether it's belaying a heavier climber from below or above, managing friction better when I'm descending (especially if it's wet or the rope's thin), saving a redirect carabiner in top belays, or for lowering heavier items in a search and rescue application. The double action gate is super smooth and easy to operate one handed but gives me more peace of mind than a standard screwgate that might work itself unlocked. Despite the high price and niche appearance, I highly recommend this carabiner for anyone using a GriGri
Awesome carabiner. Especially when paired with the grigri.adds rope control and the one handed engage/ disengage is so nice!
Works well to provide extra friction for lowering. However, it is extremely easy to pinch a bit skin in the wire gate when attempting to open the main gate.
This is the right carabiner to use with a GriGri, plain and simple. You can easily add resistance when lowering or rapping, which is a huge deal. Honestly, just try it, you'll never look back. I'm on here buying my second because my first one is worn out.
This is the best Grigri specific locker, prevents cross loading and and the little clip thing adds extra control. Great for heavier climbers or more control overall.
I really like using this carabiner for the grigri, the extra friction lets your lower much smoother especially heavier climbers, and the design also prevents cross loading. When belaying from above with a grigri, it allows me to easily lower the climber without and extra carabiner. with all that said, the biner does takes some getting use to, like turning it on an angle to fit through the belay loop.