Independent arborist gear picks · Typical prices shown, checked at the retailer

Representative photo for ISC Twister Swivel Eye Carabiner Auto-Locking Carabiners

Representative photo. Check the retailer listing for the exact model, color and size.
Photo: carabiner+chains by brenkee, CC0

ISC

ISC Twister Swivel Eye Carabiner

Auto-locking carabiner with a built-in swivel eye to keep lines from twisting.

$45 Typical price. Retail prices change, so check today's price before you buy.
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  • Built-in swivel eye
  • Auto-locking gate
  • Reduces twist in ropes and lanyards
  • One connector instead of carabiner plus swivel

ClimbingPro grade

The ISC Twister swivel eye carabiner is an auto-locking carabiner with a swivel built into a captive eye. It lets a rope or lanyard spin freely, so you get less twist in your system without adding a separate swivel.

Why a swivel carabiner

Rope twist builds up as you move around the tree and can kink a lanyard or wind up a climbing line. A swivel lets the connection rotate so the twist bleeds out. The Twister puts that swivel right in the carabiner, which saves a link in the system and keeps things compact.

Climbers use it on lanyard ends, at the bottom of an SRS system or anywhere a line needs to spin freely.

The swivel also helps when a lanyard needs to rotate as you move around the stem, and it keeps a climbing line from transferring twist into a friction device. That means smoother tending and less fiddling to untwist a line between climbs.

Use and inspection

Load the carabiner along its long axis, and make sure the swivel turns freely before each use. Keep it clean of sap and grit, which can stiffen the swivel. As life-support hardware it must be used to ISC's instructions and ANSI Z133, inspected before every climb and retired after a fall or any damage.

Check that the swivel eye is suited to the rope or termination you attach, since sharp edges or poor fit can damage a splice. See all auto-locking carabiners.