Gibbs Klimair Bidirectional Lanyard Adjuster

The Gibbs Klimair bidirectional lanyard adjuster is a mechanical device for changing the length of a positioning lanyard in both directions. It is an alternative to a friction hitch for climbers who want consistent grip and controlled release.

Why a mechanical adjuster

Bidirectional means the adjuster is built to let you both take in and pay out lanyard while it still holds you in position. On a spar or a big leader, that means you can walk your lanyard up or down the stem and change length without fighting a hitch that has bound up under load.

Mechanical adjusters also behave the same in rain, cold, and sap, which a hitch cord does not always do. The trade-off is that they are matched to a narrower range of ropes, so check what the device is built for before you buy a lanyard to go with it.

Setup and safety

Read the manufacturer's instructions for this device and confirm the rope diameter and construction you climb on falls inside its approved range. A device that grips well on one rope can slip or bind on another, so test it low and slow on new rope before you trust it at height.

Inspect the cam teeth, springs, side plates, and attachment points before every climb, and keep the device free of sap and grit. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard (ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions), be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers. Never improvise a configuration the maker does not show. Compare other options in rope grabs.