The Petzl ATTACHE 3D locking carabiner is one of those pieces of climbing gear that deserves an exclamation point every time you write it. It looks something like this: Petzl ATTACHE 3D! This is because when one initially looks at it, then handles it, the appropriate response is, “whoa!”
What makes this locking carabiner so special and exclamation-worthy is the 3D design that essentially means the excess metal in the middle has been taken out, creating an ultralight carabiner that is still as strong as the standard rounded shape. In fact, Petzl says they scientifically calculated a way to reduce the weight to 55 grams while also maximizing the strength of the gear.
Looks and weight aside, how does the Petzl ATTACHE 3D carabiner work at the crags? Just like any other locking carabiner with a few positives and some minor negatives. First the positives:
1. It really is light weight. If every carabiner is as light as as the Petzl ATTACHE 3D, then having a rack full of them would mean you could run up any multi-pitch climb and practically not even feel them hanging from your gear loops.
2. The gate locks and unlocks really fast and easy. In fact, the thing is so smooth you sometimes have to double check that it hasn’t come unlocked during use. The grip on the lock is also quite nice.
3. Unintended unlocking is quickly noticed thanks to a red indicator.
Now for the negative. Even though the unique 3D shape makes the carabiner lighter and thinner, it doesn’t feel quite as smooth when a rope is being fed through it when belaying. This was only slightly noticed when top-roping or belaying from above, but when the Petzl ATTACHE 3D was connected to an ATC as part of a guide-mode belay system from above someone seconding, the 3D edges created some rope drag and lessened the rope’s ability to flow through the device. For this reason, the Petzl was demoted to linking the belay device to the anchors rather than being used as a locking mechanism on the ATC Guide.
Overall, the Petzl ATTACHE 3D sacrifices a bit of rope-work performance for much lighter weight and bulk. If you’re a climber who likes to cruise up multi-pitch routes and demands a lighter rack, then the benefits of this carabiner far outweigh the negatives. But if you’re a casual weekender who belays on sport routes or uses locking biners for toprope anchors, then a standard, rounded carabiner may be a better choice where weight is not an issue.
Purchase the Petzl ATTACHE 3D.