A maillon, maillon rapide or quick link is a metal link, similar to a carabiner.[1] Maillons have a threaded sleeve which tightens over a thread, as opposed to a hinged gate like a carabiner, making them stronger, but more difficult to use.[1] Like carabiners, maillons are available in a range of shapes and thicknesses (i.e. strengths), and often offer greater versatility over carabiners as their different shapes and lack of hinged gates allow them to be used in multi-directional load situations.[2]
The word "maillon" comes from the French language, meaning "link".[3]
Maillons are used primarily in climbing and caving. In caving they are used to make secure and vital connections such as those when using single rope technique,[4] or for attaching ropes to anchor points. In climbing they are used to construct leave-in-place abseil anchors. Maillons can also be used for fastening harnesses with a dual attachment point.