A plain S-Biner is handy for keys and clipping gear to a pack, but there’s always the worry that something works its way off a spring gate. The Nite Ize S-Biner SlideLock adds a small slide lock to each gate. Ours is the size #3 in black stainless steel, a medium size for everyday jobs, and it cost us $8.
What’s in the box
An S-shaped accessory carabiner in stainless steel, with a spring wire gate at each end and a plastic slider on each gate that locks it shut. It’s 68 × 30 mm, weighs 14 g and is rated to 11.3 kg for holding gear; it isn’t a climbing carabiner.
What we like
- A slide lock on each gate
- Lock one side, use the other
- Stainless steel, 14 g
- Sits flat against a pack
- Only $8
What we don’t
- Not for climbing (11.3 kg)
- Gates a little stiff
- Sliders can collect dust
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nite Ize |
| Model | LSB3-01-R6 |
| Material | Stainless steelPlastic sliders |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight | 14 g |
| Max load | 11.3 kgNot for climbing |
| Size | 6.8 × 3 × 1 cm |
The Slide Locks
Push the small black slider with your thumb and it moves over the gate and locks it. Each gate locks on its own, so you can leave one side locked onto your pack and still clip things on and off the other. The sliders have just enough friction to stay where you put them, and they feel sturdy. The gates are a little stiff, though, especially when new.
Using It
We’ve used ours to hang a water bottle from a pack, to hold a small pouch of snacks and to hang a light lantern from the awning zip, and the locks held every time. Most of the time it holds the car keys on one locked side, with the other side clipped to a belt loop or a bag. The flat S shape sits close against a pack instead of sticking out, and at 14 g you don’t notice it. Stick to the 11.3 kg rating: it’s for gear, not people.
Other S-Biners
If you don’t need the locks, the plain S-Biner #3 in stainless steel is the same size and weight with two spring gates. Nite Ize also makes the SlideLock #3 in aluminium. Over time the sliders can collect a bit of dust, so give them a rinse now and then whichever you choose.
S-Biner or Small Clip?
We also use the Sea to Summit Accessory Carabiners, tiny 3 g aluminium clips that come in a set of three. They’re for light organising jobs inside a pack; for keys and anything you want locked on, the S-Biner SlideLock is bigger, stronger and has a lock on each gate.
This one S-Biner SlideLock | Ultralight Carabiner (Small) | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Black | GreyBlueOrange |
| Lock | Yes | No |
| Material | Stainless steel | Aluminium |
| Gates | 2 | 1 |
| Size | 68 × 30 mm | 40 × 23 mm |
| Clips per pack | 1 | 3 |
| Weight | 14 g | 3 g |
| Our score | 8.9 | 9.1 |
Conclusion: Nite Ize S-Biner Slidelock Size #3Conclusion
The Nite Ize S-Biner SlideLock #3 takes the S-Biner and adds a lock to each gate, so your keys and gear stay where you put them. It’s stainless steel, 14 g and easy to use one-handed. It isn’t for climbing (11.3 kg), the gates are a little stiff and the sliders can collect dust, but for $8 it has earned a permanent place on our pack.
The S-Biner with a lock.
It has held our keys, a water bottle and a lantern on the awning without anything coming loose, and at 14 g you don’t notice it. It’s rated to 11.3 kg, not for climbing, and the gates are a little stiff.
- Hikers
- Campers
- Everyday carry
Yes. I paid $8 for a stainless steel S-biner with a lock on each gate that keeps keys and gear secure. It isn’t for climbing, and the gates are a little stiff.
