How to Choose Your Auto Belay Connector

When selecting the webbing for your TRUBLUE Auto Belay, you have five different connector options:

• TRU-LOCK Aluminum Carabiner
• Steel Carabiner
• TRU-CLIP Connector
• Adventure Swivel
• Open Loop

Each option was designed with a specific use case in mind. Understanding the pros and cons of each type of connector will help you to select the best one for your facility. In this article, we'll go through the uses, recommended facilities, and potential drawbacks of each of the five available connectors.

Choosing Your Carabiner

You're probably already familiar with carabiners. Based on their light weight, ease of use, and reliability, carabiners are the most common auto belay connectors used in climbing gyms, rec centers, camps, and climbing competitions.

When purchasing a TRUBLUE Auto Belay or ordering a webbing replacement, you have a choice between two different types of carabiners: the TRU-LOCK Aluminum Carabiner and the Steel Carabiner.

Both carabiners are triple-action and auto-locking. Triple-action means that the metal collar of the carabiner must go through three distinct motions before the carabiner gate can be opened: lifting, twisting, and then squeezing. Unlike a manual locking carabiner, once the user lets go of the collar, the auto-locking function immediately snaps the carabiner back into a secured and locked position. The combination of these two features makes it extremely difficult for one of our carabiners to come open during use, unless the climber intentionally unlocks it. 

Both carabiner models also come attached to a swivel to keep the webbing line from twisting inside of the auto belay device.

Carabiner Risks to Keep in Mind

Carabiners allow for very efficient user throughput and freedom of movement between different auto belay routes. While many climbing facilities order carabiners for exactly these benefits, there are a few risks that you should be aware of and know how to mitigate.

When used correctly, carabiners are extremely efficient and reliable connectors; however, it is possible for climbers to clip into the wrong harness loop or for the carabiner gate to get caught on the belay loop or clothing, preventing the gate from closing completely. Clipping errors are the most common source of auto belay injuries. 

We require climbing facilities to train their users on the safe use of auto belays before using our devices.

TRU-LOCK Aluminum Carabiner

There are a couple of significant differences between the TRU-LOCK Aluminum Carabiner and the Steel Carabiner. The most noticeable difference is that the TRU-LOCK is lighter than its steel counterpart. This makes it the preferred carabiner for any facilities looking to host speed climbing competitions.

Since the TRU-LOCK is made of aluminum, it is resistant to corrosion. If your climbing wall is outdoors or if your facility is located in a humid climate, the TRU-LOCK Aluminum Carabiner is recommended.

Beyond its lighter weight and weather resistant advantages, some climbing facilities also prefer the TRU-LOCK because it comes with a built-in secondary attachment point. This additional point is load bearing, third-party certified, and can be attached to a backup safety system for a variety of applications.

Steel Carabiner

Just like the TRU-LOCK Aluminum Carabiner, the Steel Carabiner is also triple-action, auto-locking, and comes attached to a swivel to prevent the webbing line from twisting.

The Steel Carabiner is popular among indoor climbing gyms, rec centers, and campus climbing walls because it is incredibly durable and long-lasting. If you're looking for a no-frills, ultra-reliable connector, the Steel Carabiner is an excellent option.

TRU-CLIP Connector

The newest member of our connector family is designed for use in family entertainment centers, fun climbs, camps, and other facilities that rely on rental harnesses. It is also an excellent solution for climbing gyms looking for a safe alternative to carabiners (see white paper for recommendations on attaching TRU-CLIP to climber owned harnesses).

Especially in facilities with young or inexperienced climbers, the TRU-CLIP Connector can help to prevent damage to your auto belay devices, while maximizing user safety.

The TRU-CLIP Connector is a sequenced climbing system. Unlike using a carabiner, climbers must insert a specially-manufactured Key Link in order to clip in to the TRU-CLIP Connector. Since the TRU-CLIP is always connected to a Key Link—whether attached to a Belay Gate or the user's climbing harness—there's no possibility of the user dropping or letting go of the connector. Uncontrolled webbing retraction into the auto belay housing can cause damage to internal components and, at the very least, requires the webbing to be rescued.

Key Links are made from stainless steel and are required for the TRU-CLIP Connector to function. Each TRU-CLIP Connector comes with two Key Links. Additional Key Links can be purchased separately. We recommend purchasing one Key Link for each harness in your rental fleet.

In terms of user safety, sequenced climbing systems are designed to eliminate clipping errors. Unless the Key Link is inserted correctly, the connector will not release from the base of the wall. This makes it impossible for users to clip the TRU-CLIP Connector into the wrong harness loop, jam the locking mechanism on their belay loop, or perform any number of preventable human errors when attempting to clip in.

Multiple sequenced climbing systems are available (see the Open Loop Connector for more details), but there are several advantages to choosing the TRU-CLIP Connector:

• TRU-CLIP comes pre-attached to your TRUBLUE webbing, requiring no additional installation
• TRU-CLIP is the lightest sequenced connector on the market
• Clipping in with a Key Link is safe, efficient, and intuitive for users of all ages and experience levels
• Unlike an Open Loop system, TRU-CLIP comes attached to a swivel, which prevents the webbing line from twisting
• No recertification is required

Open Loop

The Open Loop option isn't really a connector at all, but rather it is a full-strength attachment point that allows facilities to install their own sequenced climbing systems. This option is only recommended for family entertainment centers, fun climbs, and other facilities that are already familiar with the use of sequenced climbing systems, as it requires operators to install additional connectors to the Open Loop attachment point manually.

Approved third-party connectors for use with the TRUBLUE Auto Belay include:

• Self Belay
• BelayMate

Adventure Swivel

Our fifth and final connector is meant for specific adventure park applications and a variety of unique operations. Adventure Webbing may be a good option for facilities with smart or continuous belays or those with a custom connector.

If you’re considering Adventure Webbing for your TRUBLUE Auto Belay and have never ordered this type of connector before, we recommend talking to a product expert to ensure that it is the correct fit for your specific application.