What are quickdraws and how do they work?
Quickdraws — also called extenders, quicks or runners — connect your rope to either your gear or the bolts in a route when rock climbing. Each one consists of two carabiners connected by a sling.
The top carabiner clips to the bolt or gear placement, whilst the bottom carabiner clips to your rope. This system keeps the rope running smoothly through your protection and reduces rope drag as you climb.
Best quickdraws for sport climbing
Sport climbing quickdraws typically have a short, thicker sling and two solid-gate carabiners. The shorter length minimises leverage on bolts, whilst solid gates offer durability for the repeated clipping that sport routes demand.
Look for carabiners with a generous gate opening and a shape that makes clipping easy when you're pumped. Some sport draws have a bent-gate carabiner on the rope end to make clipping smoother. The sling is usually stitched or held in place with a rubber keeper at the bolt end, so the carabiner stays oriented correctly.
Quickdraws for trad climbing
Trad climbing quickdraws generally feature thinner, longer slings and two wire-gate carabiners. The extra length helps reduce rope drag on wandering routes, and wire gates are lighter — an important consideration when you're carrying a full rack.
Wire gates also perform better in winter conditions, as they're less prone to icing up. The longer sling allows the rope to run more freely when your protection placements don't follow a straight line up the crag.
Hybrid and extendable quickdraws
Hybrid quickdraws mix features from sport and trad designs — you might see a solid gate on the bolt end and a wire gate on the rope end, or medium-length slings that work across different climbing styles.
Some quickdraws have extendable slings that can be lengthened when you need to reduce rope drag. These are particularly useful on routes with horizontal sections or when climbing around features like roofs and arêtes.
- Shorter draws for straight-up sport routes
- Longer draws for wandering trad pitches
- Extendable draws add versatility to your rack
Choosing quickdraws for beginners
If you're building your first rack, start with a set of six to twelve draws. A mixed selection works well — some shorter sport draws and a few longer ones give you flexibility as you explore different styles of climbing.
Focus on ease of clipping rather than weight savings. Wider gate openings and generous carabiner sizes make learning to clip more forgiving. You can always add lighter, more specialised draws to your rack as your climbing develops and you understand what you need.
What to look for when buying
Consider what type of climbing you do most. Sport climbers benefit from shorter, more robust draws, whilst trad climbers need longer, lighter options. If you climb both, a set of each makes sense.
Check the gate action on the carabiners — they should open and close smoothly without feeling loose. Look at how the sling is held in place at the bolt end, and whether the rope-end carabiner can move freely. Rock+Run stocks climbing hardware from leading brands including Black Diamond, DMM and Petzl, with options for beginners through to high-end performance draws where every gram counts.
Questions we get asked
How many quickdraws do I need?
For sport climbing, twelve to fifteen quickdraws will cover most single-pitch routes. Trad climbers often carry six to eight quickdraws alongside their cams and nuts. It depends on route length and how much gear you expect to place.
What's the difference between wire gate and solid gate carabiners?
Wire gates are lighter and less prone to freezing, making them popular for trad climbing and winter use. Solid gates are more durable under repeated wear and often preferred for sport climbing where draws stay clipped to bolts for extended periods.
Can I use the same quickdraws for sport and trad climbing?
Yes, though you may find yourself wishing for shorter draws on bolted sport routes and longer ones on wandering trad pitches. Many climbers keep a mixed rack or add specialist draws as their needs become clearer.
What length sling should I choose?
Sport climbing typically uses draws with slings around 10 to 12 centimetres long. Trad climbing often needs longer slings, commonly 17 to 25 centimetres, to reduce rope drag on less direct lines.
Do I need different quickdraws for indoor and outdoor climbing?
The same quickdraws work for both, though indoor climbers often prefer shorter sport-style draws since gym routes are typically straight and well-bolted. Outdoor climbing may require a wider variety of lengths depending on the terrain.
