Carabiner as Toggle?

**Hangandy** · 02-15-2011, 22:46

Hey all. I usually have used an S-Biner to attach my Whoopie Slings. Last night I couldn't find one of my S-Biners and used a regular carabiner. It dawned on me that I could just hook it through my web strap and then use it as a toggle. Worked great. Seems to make more sense than using toggles as I usually will have a biner or two around. Added plus you can still hook things to the biner (though I don't know what or why).

I'm sure I'm not the first, is there a reason this isn't a more common practice?

**Bubba** · 02-15-2011, 23:06

I think in part its because a straight toggle can quickly and easily slide out of the MSH whereas the teeth and the curve of the biner makes it slightly more difficult to undo in comparison. I have seen it done and have tried it myself and it worked great but for the reasons I mentioned I like a straight toggle. JMO.

**Hangandy** · 02-15-2011, 23:13

Makes sense that would be quicker. OTOH biners would store quicker and safer to your pack. Kind of 6 of one 1/2 dozen the other. I think I'm stickin' to the biner just cuz I figured out (though obviously not 1st) myself. And I always have lots of them sittin' round.

**Bubba** · 02-15-2011, 23:24

Biners are convenient because they are something many carry anyways. They don't even have to be climbing biners to work as a toggle.

**SmokeBait** · 02-16-2011, 00:00

Hangandy, no reason not to use a carabiner. Anything of sufficient strength to hold the MSH will work. As stated, lots of folks prefer a toggle for ease of removal, small size and light weight. I can see where a biner could have advantages too. There is no real right way, just the way that works best for you.

**Knotty** · 02-16-2011, 01:22

You certainly can use a carabiner as your toggle in a marlin spike hitch. What I don't understand is how you were using S-Biners to attach your whoopie slings? Highest rated S-Biner is only 100#.

**pig.slayer** · 02-16-2011, 04:31

I've tried using the micro biner's from Mountain fitter as a "toggle" with dynaglide whoopie slings, Worked fine but had a bit of a fiddle factor, not much though.
I figure the aluminium biner, approx. 4mm x 3mm (thick) would take a good deal of force under a shearing load to fail used in a MSH.
I'm only about 75kgs though.

**dragon360** · 02-16-2011, 09:47

I have used biners as toggles as well as regular straight toggles. I keep going back to the biners because I can lock the end of the whoopie sling through the biner and over the knot ensuring that nothing will slip out on me.