The 15 Best Carabiners For Your Keys

Isn’t it always the case that on days when you’re running late, you can’t for the life of you remember where you left your keys?  Okay, if we’re being honest, this happens even on days when we have plenty of time to search high and low, only to discover them already in a jacket or pants pocket, or for some inexplicable reason, chilling in the fridge.  How the heck did they get in there?  You certainly didn’t put your keys there.

The point is, it’s time to become more aware of where you leave your keys when you walk in the door, or better yet, keep them attached to something you won’t lose, like your bag or backpack, a belt loop on your jeans, or the zipper on a jacket pocket.  This is where a carabiner keychain really comes in handy.

With the right lightweight and resilient carabiner, you can keep your keys attached to your person at all times, or at least always know where they are.  You’ll want a carabiner that’s not too bulky, and if it happens to have some extra bells and whistles (a bottle opener, perhaps?), so much the better.  Where can you find this magical key management system?  We’re going to tell you. Here are the 13 best EDC carabiners built specifically for your keys.

The James Brand Mehlville Carabiner

This carabiner eschews the typical, ovoid appearance of a traditional, climbing carabiner in favor of a more masculine, squared-off look (albeit it with rounded edges for comfort).  Made in high-strength aluminum, this product features dual compartments so you can keep your keys on a separate loop from whatever you decide to attach the carabiner to, alleviating issues like keys slipping off when you pluck your carabiner from your backpack or belt loop to unlock the door.  A divot on the side also serves as a handy bottle opener for cracking open a bottle of Newcastle after a long day at the office.

Key Titan Carabiner

This is one weird looking carabiner, but it’s also surprisingly functional.  Part carabiner, part key organizer, the Key Titan looks like one of those minimalist wallets that’s little more than a basic, rectangular frame with a rubber band to hold cards and cash in place, except that it’s impossibly small. Then you realize your keys click into the largest of three compartments so you can flip them inside and secure the ends into the attached suppression band to keep them from dangling and jangling with every movement.  So simple, but somehow pure EDC genius.

Handgrey HG Titanium Carabiner

The stone tumbled titanium that makes up the substance of this industrial carabiner certainly looks rugged, so you won’t mind if it gets roughed up.  However, it’s also extremely strong and durable, with Ti6A14V/Grade 5 Titanium.  EDM wire cutting ensures a precision product that’s built for function and longevity, and the two-piece configuration with hybrid custom gate equates to enhanced ergonomics and functional appeal.  The simple, natural design is based on minimalist Bauhaus sensibilities.  Oh, and it also doubles as a bottle opener.

The James Brand Hardin Carabiner

Carabiners offer a pretty basic proposition: pop the spring clip to snap in pretty much anything on a loop, from your keys, to your water bottle, to your kid’s favorite stuffed animal (hook it to a backpack by the tag).  This attractive carabiner in matte black, orange, silver, or steel blue takes it to the next level with a dual compartment that doubly secures anything you hook in.  Drop-forged in high-grade aluminum for superior strength.

Nomad Carbon Carabiner

This may look like your run-of-the-mill carabiner, but on closer inspection you’ll find an upgrade that truly earns your oohs and ahs.  The carbon fiber body and reinforced steel frame is certainly designed to hold all the keychains you can fit, but the gasp-worthy addition comes when your pop out the top and bottom corners on the non-clip side to reveal a USB charging cable designed to deliver lighting charge capability for your smartphone (iPhone 5 through XS Max and 4th generation+ iPads).

MecArmy EH3 Titanium Carabiner

This eye-catching carabiner comes in titanium, copper, or Damascus steel, but there’s a lot more to it than just a pretty face.  Sure, it can carry your keys, but it also offers multifunctional appeal with a tapered end that serves as a pry bar, screwdriver, or wrench, imbuing it with EDC appeal.  Even better, the spring clip has an added protrusion to serve as a handy bottle opener, so you can pop a cold one following a hike or home repairs.

Black Diamond RockLock Twistlock Carabiner

Some carabiners feature angled edges and fancy tools.  This Black Diamond beauty offers simplicity and smooth edges to avoid snags when you’re running rope through your carabiner while repelling or belaying.  At roughly 4.3×2.75 inches, this is Black Diamond’s largest Twistlock carabiner, featuring locking function, an auto-lock gate, and curved spine to maximize gate opening.  The square hinge end ensures safety by holding a belay loop securely when the carabiner is open, delivering peace of mind.

Outdoor Element Firebiner

The strange curvature of this carabiner will likely leave you scratching your head, but every part has a purpose.  At 3×5.75 inches, it’s not small, but that’s all to your benefit, whether you’re attaching scads of keys or utilizing the built-in screwdriver, utility blade (inset for safety), bottle opener, or Spark Wheel (patent pending) that gives this unique carabiner its name.  No simple key-carrier, this cool carabiner will go from city to outdoor adventure, popping bottle caps on the fly and helping you light your grill or campfire whenever you forget the matches.

HEROCLIP Mini Carabiner

This mini carabiner won’t help you climb a sheer cliff face, but at 2.25×1.9 inches, it adds unobtrusive utility to your average belt loop or pack pull.  It also has a hidden feature you’re sure to love, thanks to an added hook that nestles around the back edge of the carabiner.  It folds at two joints and rotates 360 degrees to turn your carabiner into a handy hook you can use to hang a helmet from your backpack or hang your backpack on a branch.

Tec Accessories Python Clip

Not all carabiners are cut out for climbing.  Some are just meant to make your EDC items easier to carry.  That’s the case with the Python Clip, which keeps all sorts of items, like keys, pens, or Swiss Army Knives, secure, but detachable.  Small, lightweight, and ergonomically designed, this sturdy clip features a gate guard for added security and a taper for easy opening.  At dimensions of 1.10×0.39 inches, it’s fairly diminutive, but perfect for lightweight carry.

MecArmy FL10 Titanium EDC Carabiner

It’s a carabiner.  It’s a flashlight.  It’s a prybar.  There’s no denying the multi-functional appeal that serves you just as well in an urban setting as a rural one.  It definitely holds keys (but not people, so don’t try repelling with it).  It also has a CREE LED flashlight that delivers 360 lumens when you need to get in your front door in the dark or find the porta potties at your campsite, There is also a Micro USB charging port to keep your light bright, along with a pry bar, box opener, bottle opener, self-defense tool, and paracord attachment.

Nite Ize S-Biner Carabiner

As the name implies, this durable carabiner in stainless steel features an “S” design with two spring clips on opposing sides.  Individual weight ratings vary by size (with five sizes available), ranging from 5-100 pounds, so if you’re only using this carabiner for keys, the smallest size should work fine.  If you want to tote a bit more weight or use it for tough jobs like lashing camping gear to your roof rack or hanging a gallon of paint to your ladder, a larger size is apropos.

The James Brand Holcombe Carabiner

This two-compartment carabiner is heralded as the “smaller, smarter carabiner for everyday carry”.  How does it live up to this description?  It’s certainly tiny, designed to fit perfectly on a single belt loop.  So, that takes care of small sizing.  As for the intelligence factor, that comes in the aspect of slim design that hangs straight and won’t swing around when clipped into place.  The lower compartment ensures that your keys won’t accidentally pop out should the spring clip accidentally be opened.

Leatherman Carabiner Accessory

Leatherman is a brand that delivers what men want, and its Carabiner Accessory makes sure you have the one tool you’re always going to need anywhere you go: a bottle opener. The hex driver integrated into the upper right corner makes it easy to tighten bolts or nuts on the go. Its steel body is ultra-tough—perfect for rough-and-rugged guys who tend to drop or throw their keys around. Though it’s not intended to be a load-bearing carabiner for climbing, it’s more than able to handle the weight of a full water bottle or a trunk-full of groceries (because who wants to do two trips into the house?).

Trayvax Carabiner

Ditch the “fluff” and keep it simple—that’s exactly what makes the Trayvax Carabiner such a great choice. There are no built-in frills or fancy features, but it delivers maximum durability, reliable design, and performance to last a lifetime. The wire gate is incredibly rugged and will never break, no matter how tough you are with it. You’ll always know your keys are totally safe as long as you’ve got this bad boy clipped to your hip.

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