Quickdraws (also known as Extenders) are used by rock and ice climbers to allow the climbing rope to run freely through bolt anchors or other protection while leading. The straight gate carabiner is clipped to the protection, a bent or wire gate for the rope.[1]
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A quickdraw consists of two carabiners connected by a sewn loop of webbing referred to as a dogbone.[2] These differ from slings used in traditional climbing (known as runners) in being sewn through, providing greater rigidity (which assists rapid clipping) and geometric protection (from the carabiner clipping itself out of the sling loop in a fall).
Dogbones typically run between 12 cm (5") and 30 cm (12") in length. Traditional climbers tend to opt for longer quickdraws, which allow for greater rope movement and thereby reduce the chances of protection becoming dislodged.[3] Shorter, stiffer, easier to clip quickdraws are preferred by sport climbers, who rely on fixed protection and do not have the same concerns about dislodgement.
Pre-assembled quickdraws are available in a wide variety of carabiner styles and sling lengths to suit different applications and tastes. Climbers also assemble their own out of dogbones and carabiner combinations adapted to their needs.