Guide · Carabiners and connectors
Will my carabiner fit the attachment? Eyelet, gate and body size
Carabiner fit depends on the attachment's eyelet, the gate opening and the body thickness. Sizes elitefts, Power Systems and MakeIt publish, and a checklist.
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Picks that fit
- Fusion Climb Tacoma Steel 50KN Auto Lock Carabiner (Gold)Check price on Amazon
- Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner (Black)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
A carabiner fits when its gate opens wide enough to pass both the cable end and the attachment's eyelet, its body sits in both without binding, and the gate closes fully afterward. Few makers publish eyelet sizes, so measure yours, compare them with the carabiner maker's stated dimensions, and ask the attachment maker if unsure.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- Fusion Climb Tacoma Steel 50KN Auto Lock Carabiner (Gold)Check price on Amazon
- Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner (Black)Check price on Amazon
"Standard" connections still vary
REP says its cable attachments use a standard carabiner-style connection, and advises confirming carabiner size and pulley spacing if specialty connectors are used.[1] In other words, "standard" covers the method, not one size of hardware.
What carabiner sizes are published
| Carabiner | Size and gate, as listed | Load figure, as listed |
|---|---|---|
| elitefts Carabiner 2 Pack | 3 in tall, 1.5 in wide at the top and 1 in at the bottom; spring snap gate; steel[2] | None published |
| Power Systems 10-pack (PWR67003) | Loop .37 in at the small end to 1.5 in at the top; ".3 inch steel"[3] | "550 lb load", not classified |
| MakeIt carabiner | 8.0 cm long, 4.6 cm wide; D-shaped; spring gate[4] | 12 kN breaking strength, not a working load |
Read these carefully:
- elitefts' 1.5 in is the body width at the top, not a measured gate opening.[2]
- Power Systems' listing does not state the gate type, the gate opening or whether 550 lb is a working load or a breaking strength.[3]
- MakeIt says its 12 kN is a breaking strength that must not be confused with a recommended working load.[4] Our gate and loading guide covers what that means.
Attachments sold with and without one
Many attachments ship without a carabiner, so plan for one:
- REP says its Pro Series Neutral Grip Lat Bar does not come with a carabiner.[5]
- REP's D-handle is sold singly or in pairs, without a carabiner.[6]
- Rogue's Loading Pin ships without a strap or carabiner.[7]
- Lattice's Lifting Pin has a carabiner-friendly mounting hole, with no carabiner included.[8]
- Golden Grip includes a carabiner with its loading pin.[9]
Measure the eyelet
Attachment makers rarely publish eyelet inside diameters. Measure your own: the inside width of the eyelet or ring at its narrowest point, and the thickness of the metal it is made from. Do the same for the cable end. If the numbers are close to a carabiner's gate opening, ask the attachment maker which connector it recommends.
A fit checklist
- Eyelet: the carabiner body passes through the attachment's eyelet and the cable end without forcing.
- Gate opening: the gate opens wide enough for the thicker of the two.
- Body thickness: the carabiner's metal is not so thick that the eyelet binds on it.
- Gate closes fully: with both parts clipped in, the gate snaps shut by itself, and locks where it has a lock.
- Nothing presses on the gate: the eyelet sits in the carabiner's spine end, not against the gate.
If any check fails, use a different carabiner. A gate that will not close over the eyelet is not a usable connection.
Locking carabiners that state their dimensions
These are climbing and rigging carabiners whose makers state a gate opening. None is presented by its maker as a gym product, and their kN figures are breaking strengths, not weights you can load.
Picks that fit3 products
Fusion Climb Tacoma (Gold, single): steel auto-lock with a 0.95 in gate opening; rated 50 kN major axis as a breaking strength.
More on choosing
Fusion Climb Tahoe XL (Black, single): steel screw-lock with the widest stated gate here, 1.25 in (31.7 mm). Black Diamond RockLock (Black, single): aluminum screwgate with a 25 mm gate opening. Pick the one whose gate opening clears your eyelet and cable end. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' is Amazon.com or the brand.
Steel auto-locking carabiner with a wide gate
Fusion Climb Tahoe XL Steel Screw Lock Key Nose Carabiner (Black)
Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner (Black)
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Questions
What size carabiner do I need for a cable machine?
One whose gate opens wide enough for both the cable end and your attachment's eyelet and closes fully over them. Published gym carabiner sizes range from MakeIt's 8.0 x 4.6 cm to elitefts' 3 in tall carabiner, so measure your eyelets first.[4][2]
Does any carabiner work with a cable attachment?
No. REP says its attachments use a standard carabiner-style connection, but advises confirming carabiner size and pulley spacing if specialty connectors are used.[1]
My carabiner gate will not close over the eyelet. Is that OK?
No. A gate that cannot close is not a usable connection. Use a carabiner that fits; our gate and loading guide explains why an open gate matters.