For 18 years now, CU alum Rick Case has made a living out of taking good things and making them better. Case in point: the Nite Ize Figure 9 Carabiner.
Think of it as the missing link between the venerable trucker’s hitch and a sailboat cleat, with a little rock-climbing ingenuity added into the mix. Building on the success of the original Figure 9 rope tightener introduced last year, the anodized aluminum device eliminates the need to remember all those knots you never use until you need them.
Simply clip the carabiner to a fixed point, wrap a 3mm-9mm rope around the other end as directed by the laser-engraved instructions, and pull tight through the basic cleat to anchor anything from a basic tarp to a bulky boat riding on the roof of your car. Just don’t try to use it as a climbing tool.
The Figure 9 Carabiner is sold separately in two sizes. The small device (MSRP: $3.99) secures loads up to 50 pounds. The big one (MSRP: $5.99) is sturdy up to 150 pounds and easily clips to a 3/4-inch roof or bike rack.
With a gadget this simple, why knot?
Find it: at
