Guide Gear Review: Black Diamond Hoodwire Carabiner

Last season I retired many of my well-used carabiners and decided to try the new Black Diamond Hoodwires. According to BD: “Their hot-forged construction combines a keylock design with wire gate functionality.” Translation: greatly reduced snagging when you’re clipping gear, bolts, screws, or runners and virtually no gate whiplash when you’re logging some air time. I paired them with double length BD Dynex runners for a lightweight and versatile addition to my rack. I’ve used them on all of my climbing endeavors for the last nine months– local favorites in Eldorado Canyon, wide cracks at Vedauwoo, desert towers of Red Rocks, alpine rock, alpine mixed, and even ice climbs down in Ouray. They’ve excelled in all conditions. Plus, the iconic BD-Orange color looks great in the photos and it will keep your pilfering partner from “acquiring” your new gear!

See you in the backcountry.

-Matt Lipscomb
Colorado Mountain School Guide
AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide
mlipscomb@totalclimbing.com