Anybody ever encounter S-Biners?

[tolkien]

They're like two-sided carabiners, but much smaller. I found them after I bought several carabiners, and I quickly added them to my list. Very light, very useful. Has anybody who used them had any problems with them?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_az07PLfwhLw/SwebiD8KTAI/AAAAAAAABl4/53VO99k_W2A/s1600/e97cb169-7803-4fa1-8d92-7c0f093cf5b3.jpg
(not the real size: they're about the size of ones big toe)

[just dad]

I have used them for a couple years. They have performed well.

[tuswm]

I like them but dont usually take them hiking. They also dont hold up well in the ocean.

[adamkrz]

I have one, Don't like it - it opens too easy causing me to lose a small light I had attached.

[STICK]

I have a few, but I have found that for me they are overkill. I cannot remember which number I bought, but it is the one that holds up to 75 pounds. However, I have found them to be is too big, and too heavy. Mine weighs somewhere over an oz or maybe more. I ended up replacing them with the ZPacks Mini-D Carabiners. Much smaller, effective and way lighter. 0.1 oz each!

[Dogwood]

You might want to approach it like this, different biners for different uses. Those S-biners are certainly stronger and more durable than those cheapy spring loaded biners found at checkout stands meant for things like key chains, etc but not quite up to the stength needed to save your life climbing. The S-biners come in plastic or metal. The plastic(I think it's plastic) weigh less but are less relaible. The metal and plastic look VERY similiar. Might be good for some hiking related uses. I used one of the small plastic S-biners to hold a water bottle attached to a D-ring on my shoulder strap. As Adamkrz said they do open easily. I've lost a few that way.

[Rocket Jones]

They have a bad rep over on the Everyday Carry Forums because they open too easily. I wouldn't trust one to hold anything important.

[Rocket Jones]

They have a bad rep over on the Everyday Carry Forums because they open too easily. I wouldn't trust one to hold anything important.

[Spokes]

Here's another vote for them opening up way too easy

[4Bears]

If they come out with a locking one then they might have a true winner as they do open much to easy for attaching to a pack and then walking. IMHO

[Buffalo Skipper]

I have 4 of them I take hiking. Nite-z small. I use them to attach my underquilt to my hammock. I have 2 spares that I keep on my whoopie slings to keep the loop from closing in on itself. I find them useful for small tasks like this. Total weight of all 4 is under 1.5 oz.

For the purpose of weigth calculation, I just include them with whatever object to which they are attached.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EEc1uPCDL.jpg

[Many Walks]

I keep looking at them and walking away. It seems if I get the stronger ones, they'll add more weight than they're worth. If I get the lighter ones, they'll be too flimsy to hang on to the gear. If I'm going to carry something on the trail I want it to be there when I hit camp. They look good, but so far I'm not convinced they are.

[ScottC]

I used the model Buffalo Skipper showed above for a PCT Bear hang, but the cord rolled out the biner. Switched back to a traditional, small aluminum biner.

[Nutbrown]

I attach my tarp to my single tarp line with the smallest metal ones. Works well.

[leaftye]

I haven't had a problem with mine and I've been using it for months.

[AaronMB]

Essentially, I've found that they work OK when pressure is constant, or coming from one direction.

I've used them for a few years and my only loss has been when they are used as zipper pulls: the back and forth action of zipping/unzipping can cause the zipper loop, if you will, to slip under the biner's catch, resulting in the biner coming off the zipper.

[ATsawyer]

As an AT overseer, I pick up what falls off other people's packs. I have picked up a number of S-'biners from the Trail, but never a standard carabiner. In my experience, it would be the 'biner most likely to fail.