Gear > Everyday Carry

10 Best Carabiner Keychains to Clip Your Keys Into

By Andrew Peloquin  |  Updated June 27, 2024

10 Best Carabiner Keychains to Clip Your Keys Into
Courtesy The James Brand

Keys are one of the three items (along with a phone and wallet) I (like most guys) carry around every single day.

My front door, back gate, mailbox, gym bag padlock, storage shed, truck bed lock box, and so many more—I need a key for pretty much everything.

But I hate wasting precious pocket space with a bulky, over-heavy keychain that makes a visible bulge any quick-fingered pickpocket can spot a mile away. No, I’m all about keeping it simple, sleek, stylish, and, most important of all, practical with a carabiner keychain.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • Secure and easy key storage: Don’t waste your time fiddling with key rings; the carabiner-style clip allows you to add and remove keys in seconds, and attaches easily to any belt, bag, or backpack.
  • Protect your EDC loadout: Stop scratching up your smartphone or knife by carrying too many keys in your pocket. Thanks to the keychain, you can store your keys outside your pocket to protect your loadout.
  • Bonus tools included: Some carabiner keychains feature integrated tools—such as a bottle opener, knife blade, or screwdriver—that makes them versatile as well as practical.

Carabiner keychains are low-key and ultra-versatile. I’ll clip mine onto my EDC pocket knife and connect that to my belt or backpack strap. When I dress up, I’ll throw it inside my briefcase. I’ve got all that extra pocket space to fit my wallet, phone, and other important items that I want close at hand.

Plus, in addition to being great keychains, I’ve found they’re handy connectors, great for joining ropes and cables, and many even come with added tools I use around my house and office throughout the day.

In the pursuit of the perfect carabiner keychain for my loadout, I’ve personally tested as many as I could get my hands on and combed through piles of product reviews.

Best Overall Carabiner Keychain

Trayvax TALON Carabiner Multi-tool

Why did I choose it?

I love a good multi-tool, so the fact that this carabiner also comes with a bottle opener and three sizes of screwdrivers is just a “win” in my books. And there’s no arguing with the durability and sleek good looks of its CNC-machined, heat-treated stainless steel structure.  


Best Looking Carabiner
The James Brand the Mehlville

Best if You Actually Climb Too
Black Diamond MiniWire Carabiner

Best Hook Designed Carabiner
HEROCLIP Carabiner Clip and Hook

Best Multi-tool Carabiner
OUTDOOR ELEMENT Firebiner


Best Overall Carabiner Keychain

Trayvax TALON Carabiner Multi-tool


$45
 

The Talon by Trayvax is one of the toughest carabiners I’ve tested (easily top three!), built from heat-treated stainless steel and CNC-machined in the USA to ensure its durability and reliability.

What I love about it is that it’s also a versatile multi-tool. Included in the carabiner’s design is a bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, and two sizes of flathead (slotted) screwdrivers. I’ve found this carabiner so handy on multiple occasions when working on DIY projects around my home or walking around a job site.





Best Looking Carabiner

The James Brand the Mehlville


$39
 

This carabiner keychain is utterly unlike anything I’ve seen before—a minimalist, modernized take on an already ultra-practical tool.

The dual-compartment design ensures my keys are securely locked into place while still making it easy to clip the carabiner onto anything, anytime.

Thanks to the machined Anodized 6063 Aluminum used to build it, it’s insanely tough and water-resistant. (I know this first-hand because my wife has already dropped it repeatedly on the wet, rainy ground, and my son actually dropped it into a lake on our last camping trip. And still it’s held up!)

It also includes a stainless steel bottle opener that’s perfect for cracking open a cold beer at the end of a long, busy work day. Yes, that’s the real reason I always keep it close at hand.





Best if You Actually Climb Too

Black Diamond MiniWire Carabiner


 

When I think simple and tough, it’s the Black Diamond MiniWire Carabiner that comes to mind. It’s rated for climbing, built to support your weight and your gear while tackling a tough cliff or overhang. I’ve put it to the test on more than one gnarly ascent and it’s held up beautifully to even my weight (250 pounds).

The hot-forged construction is both durable and lightweight, and the shape has been optimized to ensure easy, instant clipping and unclipping.

It’s actually the lightest of the Black Diamond carabiners, weighing 0.81 ounces, and they’re affordable enough you’ll want to buy them over and over. It’s the perfect solution for climbers like me who want a versatile option for carrying around their EDC gear in style. To the mountain and back, it will serve your needs beautifully.





Best Hook Designed Carabiner

HEROCLIP Carabiner Clip and Hook


$23
 

I’ve never seen a carabiner clip quite as multi-faceted as this one. No, it’s not a multi-tool (like some of the others on our list). Instead, it features both a carabiner clip and a built-in extendable/retractable hook that I can use to hang my items anywhere I want.

The fold-out hook can hold up to 60 pounds, and it features a rubber tip that will keep it from sliding/falling when hung. It’s small, lightweight, but built from aircraft-grade aluminum to be weather-resistant and tough-as-nails.

I’ve used it to hang hammocks (for kids), securing my food bag high on a tree branch, tethering my backpack to my suitcase when traveling, and hauling in all my groceries in one trip. This carabiner can do it all.





Best Multi-tool Carabiner

OUTDOOR ELEMENT Firebiner


$15
 

What I love about the Outdoor Element Fiberbiner is that it steers in the opposite direction from so many carabiner keychains. Rather than going for a minimalist design, they pack as many tools as possible into their little carabiner.

That’s right: this isn’t just a keychain, but it’s also a utility blade, bottle opener, screwdriver, and fire starter (a ferro rod rated for 2,000+ sparks). It’s so handy to pack with me when camping, hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It’s also perfect for survival or emergency situations.

One very handy use I’ve found is for hauling supplies. Because the carabiner is rated to carry up to 100 pounds, I can use it to haul around pretty much anything—from groceries to tool bags.

In the two years I’ve had this badass little carabiner clipped to my belt or backpack, I’ve yet to be caught unprepared for anything.






Nite Ize S-Biner Dual Carabiner


 

If you want to keep it budget-friendly, this Nite Ize carabiner is your top pick. They come in a wide range of colors to choose from, including black, blue, green, gray, red, and orange. Plenty of size choices, too, designed to hold anywhere from 5 to 100 pounds.

It’s slim, versatile, and sleek, perfect for everyday use. At that price, you definitely can’t complain, and you’ll find they last for years of regular use thanks to their durable construction.






Leatherman Carabiner Accessory


 

As a lifelong Leatherman guy (got my Wave+ on my belt right now!), this is an absolute must-have for my EDC loadout.

I like to use it for my keys, but it works great for clipping my dogs’ leashes together or strapping a heavy water canteen to my pack when I’m out hiking.

Leatherman offers a 25-year warranty to guarantee it’s as tough and rugged as the rest of their tools, and it’s built for decades of daily use. Best of all, it’s one of the most affordable carabiner keychains on this list.






WESN THE CB


$60
 

You don’t have to load up with ultra-heavy, bulky items; in fact, smart EDC carry is about keeping things as light, minimal, and functional as possible. Fewer tools to do more jobs.

With the CB, that’s what you get. This simple carabiner has no fluff or frills, just an ultra-practical minimalist design that perfectly complements any lifestyle, activity, or profession.

Made from a single piece of insanely tough milled titanium, this carabiner keychain weighs just half an ounce (so you’ll never feel it dragging on your belt) and is just 2.5 inches long (small enough to fit anywhere, while still being the perfect size for your keys).






Tibitdeer Titanium Multifunctional Carabiner Keychain


$14
 

Got a lot of keys to haul around—maybe too many for a regular-size keychain? This Tibitdeer carabiner keychain is designed ultra-large to hold a greater-than-average number of keys, so you can keep adding more and more without worrying that you’ll run out of storage space.

The push-lever design makes adding or removing your keys a breeze, but it will lock securely in place so you never have to worry about losing your keys again.

It’s built from tough-but-featherlight titanium, perfect for clipping onto your backpack or pouch so you’ve got everything within easy reach.

And, for those evenings you want to kick back and relax, you’ll love how easily the built-in bottle opener pops the top on that tasty drink you’ve been looking forward to all day.






Dango Carabiner and Shackle


$69
 

The Dango Carabiner and Shackle is the perfect duo to step up your key-holding game. The carabiner itself clips onto your belt, and is tough enough to handle the weight of your knife, flashlight, or other gear.

However, thanks to its design, you can easily secure the shackle on the end, which provides you even more key storage space. Made from 6061 aerospace grade aluminum, it’s a tough-and-rugged device that you’ll never have to worry about—no rain, sleet, nor snow can corrode it, and you’re more likely to break your belt than this carabiner.





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