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Cost: $4.85 (2-pack)
Dimensions: 1 3/8”x 5/8” x 1/4” (3.5 x 1.6 x 0.6 cm)
Weight: 0.07 oz (2 g)
Materials: Available in Aluminum or Steel, with Plastic Lock
Load: 3 lbs. (Steel)
Origin: Manufactured in China
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Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock
The Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock is a tiny little carabiner clip that has a lot of uses. It’s especially handy for travel because it’s extremely small and lightweight, at under 0.1 oz, it weights almost nothing. Use it for a keychain, or to add subtle security to your travel backpack.
Materials and Dimensions
The dimensions are about 1 3/8 x 5/8” x 1/4” and it and weighs about 2 grams, or less than 0.1 oz. So basically, it weights almost nothing. You can get these clips in a rainbow of colors to match your gear. The colors are great if you want the clip to stand out, or match your bag, but the black and silver are better for security.
Steel vs Aluminum
I have the Microlock in the both the stainless steel and the aluminum material. And it’s also available in a plastic version. There’s not much difference between the two metal styles. The aluminum weights about 2 g, while the steel is about 3 grams. However, the material on the aluminum clip is slightly thicker. Which I’ll show you later why that might make a difference.
Strength
The Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock steel version is rated to hold 3lbs. But both of them can hold much more than that. I’ll demonstrate by lifting some gear with the aluminum clip since it doesn’t have a rating.
I have a Chrome Macheto 2.0 here. Packed full it weight about 23 lbs. When I attach it to the scale using the hook it holds it fine without breaking or bending. Even when I put pressure on the pack, bringing the weight up to 40+ lbs., there is no noticeable bending of the hook.
How to Use the Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock
Now let me show you how to use this thing. The clip has two steel gates that you clip to your gear. And there’s a tiny plastic toggle in the middle, which you turn to lock the gates in place. And when It’s locked, you can’t open the gates. This thing is pretty tiny though and the plastic lock clip is very small. So if you have big clumsy mitts, or a problem with fine motor skills this thing might be tricky for you to operate.
Microlock in Action
The two main uses for the Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock are as a minimalist key chain, and to secure the locks on your travel backpack. Each side of the clip will hold about 3-4 regular flat metal keys. It may be large enough for a plastic-coated car key, but that’s going to depend on the key. You can clip this to the key leash in your backpack. Or clip a small multitool to the other end like I have here with the Leatherman Style PS.
Clipping Travel Backpack Zippers
The main way I use these clips is to attach the zippers on my travel backpack. To me the TSA padlocks make it look like you are trying to hide something. And they make it clear which pocket holds your valuables. The Nite Ize S-Biner clips offer a lot of the same protection without being so obvious.
For example, I have one now on this Chrome backpack and you can’t even tell it’s locked. And even though this thing isn’t truly locked like it would be with a padlock. It would still take a thief a minute to figure this lock out.
These clips work great for locking zippers or you can clip the zipper pulls together if your pack doesn’t have locking zips. Sometimes you have single zippers instead of double zippers if they line up right, you can sometimes lock these to a different zipper.
Difference Between Aluminum and Steel
I mentioned earlier that the steel and aluminum clips have slightly different widths to the hook. You can see in a closeup that the steel is quite a bit thinner than the aluminum. This doesn’t make much of a difference except on some smaller zipper pulls.
For example, on the Osprey Farpoint both the aluminum and steel work fine for both the 10# and #8 locking YKK zips. But over here the Chrome Macheto doesn’t have locking zippers. So you have to lock the zipper pulls together. The Steel clip works on the both the large and small holes of the zipper pull. But the aluminum will only fit in the larger holes.
Summary
The Nite Ize S-Biner Microlock is a great little accessory that add subtle security to your travel backpack. They weight almost nothing, and at about $5 for a 2-pack, it’s also a good deal.
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