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CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner
  • CAMP Nano 22 Carabiner Rack Pack

Nano 22

Rating

My vote: None ( 5.3 avg )

Description

  • One of the lightest carabiners on the market
  • Designed for fluid use with ropes of all diameters
  • Significantly reduces weight and bulk on any rack
  • The design increases strength and reduces weight
  • Available in 8 colors with a new bright finish to coordinate with the most popular cam colors

The evolution of the Nano continues. Following the popular Nano Wire and Nano 23, the Nano 22 is even lighter, stronger, and more functional. The Nano 22 features a special design that is 1 kN stronger in all three of the strength ratings, a deeper basket for holding the rope in its proper position, and a refined gate for smooth, easy clipping. At 22 grams, the Nano 22 is the lightest fully-functional carabiner on the market with unique attributes that set it apart from other smaller carabiners. Like an inner working space large enough to use a clove hitch with ropes of any diameter, a gate opening wide enough for easy clipping on the sharp end, a profiled nose that slips in and out of tight chain links, and 8 colors for individually racking cams. As the trend towards lighter and faster, bigger and bolder continues, the Nano continues to set the standard for carabiners in the area of lightweight functionality.

Retail price

US$ 6.95

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Weight (g)

Weight (g)

In grams, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

22 g
Shape

Shape

Rule of thumb

Almost every carabiner you use will be non-locking offset D’s, with the exception of a Pear/HMS locker as your belay ‘biner.

Offset D (aka Modified D)

60% of the market

A modification of the standard D shape, the top of an offset D is much wider, allowing for a larger (and superior) gate opening. When loaded, most of the weight is transferred to the spine of the carabiner making them stronger than most other shapes. Used for top and bottom quickdraws, as racking carabiners, and lightweight lockers.

Pear / HMS

22% of the market

The Pear/HMS carabiner is used primarily for belaying and/or setting a powerpoint in an anchor. The wide top means they can hold a lot of gear. They are almost always locking and are generally heavier (than D/offset D's) because they need more material to gain back strength lost due to their shape.

Oval

8% of the market

The first carabiner shape to be mass produced. When loaded, the pressure is shared equally on both sides of the ‘biner. Since the weaker gate shares the load with the spine, oval biners aren’t as strong as shapes that direct the load to the spine. The bonus is, your gear rests squarely in the middle, so it's great for holding nuts, pulleys, and prusiks.

D (aka symmetric D)

7% of the market

D’s have a symmetrical shape that sets the rope closer to the spine, putting the load on the spine (versus sharing the load with the weaker gate side, like the oval). Since the strongest part of the carabiner carries the weight, D’s are the strongest shape. Downside: Smaller gate openings than the offset D.

Quick Link (aka Oval link, Maillon Raptide)

1% of the market

Although most climbers wouldn’t refer to this shape as a “carabiner” they are certified by the same EN standard as all the other carabiners. These semi-permanent links ensure the gate will not accidentally open. They're used when setting up a semi-permanent rappel station (not used while climbing up).

Semi-Circle / 3D

less than 1% of the market

Semi-circle: Mostly used by Search and Rescue as this is a great way to secure a chest harness.
3-D: Designed to increase the gate opening and to reduce the chance that the rock will rub your rope and/or the locking gate open. Buy if you’re the curious type; they’re not cheap, and there’s not many in the US.

Learn More

Pros and cons of each shape, graphs and more examples
D / Offset D
Locking

Locking

main non-locking carabiners uses:

  • quickdraws
  • to rack (hold) your gear on your harness
  • part of an anchor setup

main locking carabiners uses:

  • belay carabiner
  • main anchor powerpoint
  • when you need the gate to stay shut

screw gate vs auto-locking gate

Screw gates are generally lighter and cheaper.

Auto-locking gates are usually considered safer as they automatically snap shut, not counting on one's memory to close and are harder to accidentally unlock. The debate comes on opening speed as some are much faster while others can be a struggle.

Learn More

See the newest auto-locking gate technologies
No
Straight or Bent

Straight or Bent

It's easier to see the difference between straight and bent gates on solid gate carabiners:

Straight Gate

The standard. Always used as the bolt-end of the quickdraw, and still sometimes used on the rope-side too. Also used for racking gear such as cam and nuts.

Bent Gate

Created to make it easier to put the rope into a quickdraw with their larger gate opening. Primarily used on the rope-end (bottom) of quickdraws.

Extra Notes

  • Choosing a bent or straight gate does not significantly change the weight, strength, or price of the carabiner.
  • All locking carabiners have straight gates.
  • Today, many wiregates have a hybrid almost-straight-but-kinda-bent gate and are offered in this version only (not as a classic a bent or straight option). We have classified these as bent gates since they're not totally straight.

Important Note

Many manufacturers are now making the bolt-end carabiner come standard in silver (to match the bolt color), and are coloring the rope-end with other anodizations.

Do not mix (interchange) bolt-end carabiners and rope-end carabiners. This can be very dangerous as small abrasions made by the bolt can easily wear your rope. DMM put out a great video/write-up on this issue.

Straight
Full Size

Full Size

Full size carabiners are easier to hold but generally they're also heavier.

This is a totally debatable field as there is no official size, weight, or gate opening necessary to be full size. There are no certifications and this isn't a standard the manufacturer's normally describe specifically.

We did our best to compare (descriptions, in-person use, etc), as a way to help give more information about this carabiner. Like always, if you see something that seems totally off, send us a note.

No
Keylock

Keylock

A keylock nose means the nose is smooth. Keylock carabiners are also known as: snag-free, notch-less, and hook-less.

Keylock Benefit

The lack of a hooked nose makes for less snagging on gear and bolts – a dramatic improvement.

Keylock Drawback

Given that they’re more complicated to manufacture, keylock designs often come at a higher price, especially in wiregates.

Worth Considering

There are more design features necessary to guarantee a snag-free experience, like the curvature of the nose. Some keylock carabiners will still catch on the nose because of the lack of a smooth nose arc (smoother the arc, smoother the clip).

Learn More

Check out our blogpost that goes over carabiner nose design to get all the details
No
Solid or Wire

Solid or Wire

Solid Gates

Generally on beefier carabiners, so they're usually heavier and more durable. They can also feel more substantial in your hands while clipping. Often favored by sport climbers.

Wire Gates

Featured on the lightest carabiners, so they're favored by trad and alpine climbers.

Some considerations

If you want keylock nose carabiners, then solid gates will be much cheaper compared to wire gates.

When wiregates first came out they were not trusted (too new, looked too simple). Now, it's proven that wiregates have less gate flutter and gate shutter than solid gates.

Learn More

Compare gate flutter and gate shutter
Wire
Gate Opening

Gate Opening (mm)

Gate opening refers to the distance between a carabiner’s nose and the fully open gate.

General Guidelines

top of your quickdraw: 17 mm – 22 mm
bottom of your quickdraw: 23 mm – 26 mm
as an anchor holding webbing/gear: 19 mm+

Adding bias towards a larger gate opening is a great option once you’ve narrowed your choice to a few similar carabiners and need help determining which one is the best.

Learn More

Gate opening comparisons, examples, averages, shape, sizes, graphs, and explanations
21 mm
Number of Colors

Number of Colors

The number of different colors that you can find this carabiner in. This color-coding practice was started with just 2 colors, usually silver (that goes on the bolt side of a quickdraw) and another color for the rope side. Now, carabiners come in 5+ colors sets known as "rack packs" so your carabiners can match your cams.

Climbers can also match their carabiner color to their harness or other gear just for fun.

Learn More

Carabiner Rack Packs Explained
8
Lock Indicator

Visual Warning

A lock indicator is a visual warning only seen on locking carabiners. It adds some sort of visual to show if the carabiner is unlocked such as the color red, a danger sign, an unlocked image, etc. When the carabiner is locked the visual indicator is hidden.

Only a small list of manufacturers add this safety feature, although you can easily add one yourself with a permanent marker.

No
Strengths (kN)

Strengths (kN)

In kilonewtons, the strength, as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

Major Axis Closed Gate Strength

This is the strongest orientation and the way carabiners are designed to be loaded.

Major Axis Open Gate Strength

This strength is measured because while climbing, carabiners lying against the rock can be opened slightly as they move across an uneven surface. A carabiner can also open slightly during a fall as the ‘biner starts to vibrate, dispersing the energy (also called "gate flutter"). A weak gate closure (due to a poor/failing spring or an over-stressed wire) could also leave the gate ajar.

Minor Axis Gate Strength

Carabiners are not intended to be loaded along the minor axis (cross-loaded), but it is possible for a carabiner to unintentionally rotate during use, especially while belaying. Of all accidental misuses of a carabiner, cross-loading is the most frequent suspect, which is why there is a rating for it.

Generally wire gates are stronger than solid gates in the minor axis. During the test, the wire gate bends, absorbing some of the force, as compared to a less pliable solid gate.

Learn More

How carabiners are rated, recommendations and strengths.
  21 kN   9 kN    8 kN
AVG RATING
4.8975
( 4.9 avg )
Rating
2.04
( 2 avg )

Horrible quality control, very wide range of actual weight

Pros
still lightweight
bigger gate opening than some direct competitors like the nineteen g makes it more easily usable
Cons
Weigh anything from 23-25g each!
Nose tends to hook the rope or harness
Familiarity
I’ve used it a few of times

Let's be real, we're looking at this site, we're weight addicts to one extend or another. And the 22g are just a fancy wishful thinking by CAMP according to my scales!

These weigh anywhere between some 23g and 24-25g for the others, highest I got was 25,3g on one. This is a crazy margin of error percentage-wise and just shows extremely poor manifacturing quality control or process in my opinion. I weighted them in direct comparison with some edelrid nineteen g 'biners and those were within .3g of one another and a great benchmark the scale was working properly.

Still very nice to have a bit more wiggle room with the bigger gate opening and it feels nice as well, but that weight problem is so apparent, it feels like a massive scam!

Rating
6
( 6 avg )

Best small Biner

Pros
Weight
Colors
Easier to clip and unclip than Ocun Kestrel or Edelrid 19g
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

I used these on all my cams now after trying the Edelrid 19g and the Ocun Kestrel. These are a good weight and good size. The gates open wider than either of the others making clipping and unclipping way easier. 

I used these on all my cams now after trying the Edelrid 19g and the Ocun Kestrel. These are a good weight and good size. The gates open wider than either of the others making clipping and unclipping way easier. 

Rating
4.02
( 4 avg )

If your nr 1 priority is to scale weight

Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Small!
Familiarity
I’ve used it a few of times

If you wish to scale weight and doesnt climb with gloves or twin ropes - They are good. However, they aren't my first choice! If you seek a full size and lightweight carabiner - Look at Camp Photon wire.

If you wish to scale weight and doesnt climb with gloves or twin ropes - They are good. However, they aren't my first choice! If you seek a full size and lightweight carabiner - Look at Camp Photon wire.

Rating
6
( 6 avg )

So Light

Pros
Super Light
Good Gate Opening
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

These are my go-to racking carabiners. They're light, look good, and have good gate clearance. They're so light that they feel like they shouldn't have a full strength rating. Ultimately, my favorite racking biner.

These are my go-to racking carabiners. They're light, look good, and have good gate clearance. They're so light that they feel like they shouldn't have a full strength rating. Ultimately, my favorite racking biner.

Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

Great Small Carabiner

Pros
Super light
Clips pretty well
Cons
Pretty small
Familiarity
I’ve used it a few of times

These carabiners are great for racking pro, or if you've got dextrous fingers for the upper bit of an alpine draw. They feel to small to be of use, but they are way easier to use than their size would suggest. Also they come in every concievable color which is great.

These carabiners are great for racking pro, or if you've got dextrous fingers for the upper bit of an alpine draw. They feel to small to be of use, but they are way easier to use than their size would suggest. Also they come in every concievable color which is great.

Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

Lightweight and small

Pros
Lightweight
Doesn't snag
Cons
Hard to use with gloves
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

These carabiners are great. I use them for racking carabiners to differentiate between different types of cams. My only complaint is that they are harder to clip than it's cousin the photon, and are much harder to clip if pacing cams with gloves when mixed climbing. Overall awesome carabiner.

Rating
6
( 6 avg )

Happy Camper

Pros
Doesn't snag
Light Weight
Durable
Cons
Orange doesnt come in the 5 pack and the Metolius #3 is bomber
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

Love these carabiners. Super thin profile fits into small spaces and tight on your belt. Very lightweight and great for alpine climbing. Easily my favorite carabiner. 

Love these carabiners. Super thin profile fits into small spaces and tight on your belt. Very lightweight and great for alpine climbing. Easily my favorite carabiner. 

Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

does the job

Pros
light
cheap
Cons
made in china
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

I have eight of these on cams. Feels ok in hand and use.
If one is willing to consider more local businesses look elsewhere, as these are Made in China.

I have eight of these on cams. Feels ok in hand and use.
If one is willing to consider more local businesses look elsewhere, as these are Made in China.

WeighMyRack Gear Review no rating given just a review

The most wanted carabiners tend to be light and/or expensive carabiners. The most owned carabiners tend to be carabiners that are easy to find at most climbing shops. Black Diamond would dominate the most owned list if they had not completely changed their carabiner lineup in 2020.

Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review rating 4/5

The CAMP Nano 22 is one of the lightest full-strength carabiners on the market and our Top Pick for Ultralight choice. CAMP likens using lightweight gear to giving your rack an enema. We could take that analogy one step further, and say that while it might lighten you up, you might not enjoy the process. Our testers found it hard to clip and unclip, and you wouldn't want to use these with gloves on or at an anchor. All that being said, if you are looking for the lightest possible climbing rack (and aren't into fee-soloing), then the Nano 22 really is your best option.

WeighMyRack Gear Review in-depth technical review

If you found the Nano 23 usable, you should absolutely love the improvements of the Nano 22. And, if you didn’t enjoy your Nano 23 experience, you have no reason to rule out the Nano 22. Although it bears the same name and is similar in size, the 22 is a completely different carabiner. Fortunately for us, these vast improvements haven’t even changed the price.

WeighMyRack Gear Review first-hand review

CAMP states the Nano 22 is “the lightest fully-functional carabiner on the market with unique attributes that set it apart from other smaller carabiners.” This is one piece of marketing spray we actually have to agree with. If you’re looking to replace existing gear to drop weight at a great price, or if you are building a new trad rack and want to go with lightweight racking ‘biners, or alpine draws, the Nano 22 is an excellent ultralight option.

The Alpine Start Gear Review no rating given just a review

These really are wonderful little biners. I honestly can’t think of anything I don’t like about them. Well, maybe that I don’t have enough as these will make for an amazingly light trad rack. Thanks to the combination of usable size and low weight, I think the Nano 22 is quite possibly the best trad and alpine rock biner on the market. (Though I still prefer the larger Photon Wire for use with gloves.)

Carabiners and Quickdraws 2015

Introducing the new carabiners and quickdraws of 2015.

Features of Nano 22

This video explains all the features of Nano 22.

The UIAA equipment standard provides a baseline for equipment performance in a test lab under controlled conditions on new equipment. Although these test conditions are relevant to the conditions encountered climbing, conditions encountered at the crags and the condition of the equipment are equally important. This recommendation from the UIAA member federation The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) provides vital equipment information that is NOT explicitly addressed in the standard, particularly failure modes of the equipment and recommendations for the use, inspection, maintenance, and retirement of equipment.