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Lifespan Of Your Climbing Gear – Part B Metal Components

02/11/2023
by Nikos Mitsakis

WHEN TO RETIRE YOUR METAL EQUIPMENT

 (CARABINERS, QUICKDRAWS, DESCENDERS - BELAY DEVICES, etc.)

How long your climbing gear can last depends on a wide variety of different factors.

The type of equipment (metal or textile), the quality of its materials, the frequency of use, its care and storage as well as the environment in which it is used affect its durability and lifespan.

The table below details the expected and maximum life expectancy for climbing equipment with moderate use (about twice a week):

Climbing Gear

Life Expextancy
(moderate use)

Maximum Lifespan
(From manufacture date)
     

Harness

2 to 3 years

10 years

Rope

2 to 3 years

10 years

Helmet

10 years

10 years

Quickdraws

3 to 5 years

10 years
     

Belay Devices

5 to 10 years

N/A

Carabiner

10 to 15 years

N/A

Source: https://rockclimbingguru.com/how-long-climbing-gear-lasts-helpful-guidelines/

In a previous article (link) we analyzed the lifespan of textile climbing equipment (harnesses, ropes, slings). In this article we will focus on the metal parts of our equipment, carabiners, belay devices, nuts, friends, etc.

Although metallic, our materials are not immortal, mainly due to the hardship they are subjected to during their use, as well as due to a lack of proper maintenance and storage.


When to retire a carabiner

Immediately retire a carabiner if it is cracked, excessively worn, or has a malfunctioning gate.

Important: A carabiner that has been dropped from a great height should also be removed as drops can cause damage but carabiners may appear intact!

 

How to check your carabiners

Immediately retire a carabiner if it is cracked, excessively worn, or has a malfunctioning gate.

Important: A carabiner that has been dropped from a great height should also be removed as drops can cause damage but carabiners may appear intact!

 

How to check your carabiners

• Keep your carabiners free of burrs that can damage a rope.
• To sand burrs, use 220-400 grit sandpaper. If this does not remove the burr, destroy the carabiner.  
 
How to withdraw your carabiners Give your carabiners another life as a key ring or to hang your water bottles. Be sure to mark the unsuitable carabiners so that they are not accidentally mixed up with the rest! You can also contact your local recycling facilities to see if you can recycle them.  

 

Quickdraws

Quickdraws are a unique piece of equipment as they consist of special straps (dogbones) and carabiners. Dogbones belong to textile equipment, while carabiners are metal. Therefore, their individual parts usually last for different periods of time.

Dogbones typically last between 3 and 5 years of moderate use and have a shelf life of 10 years. Carabiners typically last 10 to 15 years of moderate use and have no limit when left unused.

Therefore, quickdraws as a whole will typically last 3 to 5 years of moderate use if the dogbone is not replaced. Replacing the dogbone every 3 to 5 years will extend the life of the quickdraws until the carabiners wear out.

 

Belay Devices and Descenders


 

The descenders and belay devices (8s, buckets, reverso, grigri etc.) are a metal piece of climbing equipment and therefore do not have a lifetime in themselves. So they will wear out with use and at some point need to be replaced. It's another piece of climbing that should be checked before each use, as a single sharp edge can lead to irreparable damage to your rope with all the dangers that entails.

On average, belay devices will last 5 to 10 years with moderate use. If used daily they should usually be replaced within 3 years due to excessive wear.

In general, belay devices and descenders should be replaced as soon as they are damaged such as if:

  • They have sharp edges
  • Fall from a height of 3-4 meters or more
  • Have obvious dents or cracks

As with some of the other pieces of climbing equipment, if you have any doubts about the integrity of a belay device, don't use it. Unlike other pieces of important climbing equipment, belay devices are relatively inexpensive and can be easily replaced. This gives you absolutely no reason to use a worn and bad belay device!


Nuts / Stoppers

Nuts/stoppers, being metal, also do not have a shelf life limit, so their lifespan again depends on use. Specifically in this type of equipment, the most common forms of failure affect the wire rope. Careless removal of the nuts can gradually damage the wire threads. If the wire has started to wear out it is good to retire them. A permanently kinked cable is weakened and should also be retired.

Corrosion damage is another common problem. Always wash your gear in clean water and then dry it thoroughly before storing it after climbing sea cliffs or near shore.

Damage to the nut head is more rare, but can occur as a result of a heavy drop or even overuse of a nut removal tool. Withdraw if there is much damage or distortion. Shallow/superficial scratches are usually not a problem.

 

Friends

Another important and special part of the climbing equipment (which also concerns traditional "trad" and not sport climbing) is "friends".

Although friends are designed with great precision and expertise today, they are subject to failure due to wear and bending fatigue. This occurs at the point where the flexible member (wire rope) joins the rigid member due to repeated bending.

It is therefore important to carefully examine this particular point and if it is found that some strands of the flexible stem are broken, then it is definitely time to withdraw the device!

In most modern friends, the potential break point is often covered by a protective plastic casing, and in some cases this casing can be moved slightly to allow inspection.

A thorough inspection of the friends at the beginning of the climbing season is therefore recommended in conjunction with the inspection before or after each use!


Storage of metal equipment

Do not store carabiners, descenders, belay devices, quickdraws, etc. in humid or salty air, along with wet equipment or clothing, or near corrosive chemicals. Proper storage and maintenance will protect your equipment as much as possible!

 

Sources

https://thebmc.co.uk/have-you-checked-your-camming-devices-recently

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/when-to-retire-climbing-gear.html

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/caring-for-your-carabiners.html

https://rockclimbingguru.com/how-long-climbing-gear-lasts-helpful-guidelines/

https://goextremesports.com/how-long-does-a-grigri-last/


 

 

 

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