Gear Review: Black Diamond Hoodwire Quickdraws

Value Rating: 7 Durability Rating: 7 Overall Rating: 9 Location of Test: Lots of crags around the PNW Duration of Test: 1 year Product Name: Hoodwire Quickdraws Product Brand: Black Diamond Best Use: Sport Climbing, Ice Climbing 12cm long dogbone 81g each 24kN strength The Full Review: The Hoodwire Quickdraw from Black Diamond is the perfect carabiner if you are looking to save weight with wire-gate biners and still have the anti-snag feature on the nose. I like to use these carabiners for almost anything. Multi-pitch climbing, trad climbing, ice climbing and sport climbing. The low weight makes them easy to carry, and you definitely feel a difference between carrying the Hoodwires or other heavier quickdraws. With a 12mm dynex dogbone, it's not the most comfortable to grab when projecting a route, but I would trade that discomfort any day for the weight savings. The wire gate has a really nice snap to it, and clipping the rope is a breeze. It's got that high-quality gate feel to it. The other benefit of the wire gate is that it does not freeze shut in really cold temperatures. A must when ice-climbing. The Good: Really lightweight performance quickdraws that perform amazingly in all disciplines and conditions. Clips really nicely The anti-snag hood works great The Bad: Great value for equivalent quickdraws but definitely a higher price point than other options. Not as durable as heavier quickdraws Anti-snag hood makes it just slightly bulkier nose and sometimes won't fit in crowded bolt hangers. The Bottom Line: If I had to buy these again, I would. You get what you pay for, low-weight, high-quality draws that perform amazingly. SHOP CARABINERS & QUICKDRAWS