Amaillon,maillon rapide orquick link is a metal link, similar to acarabiner.[1] Maillons have athreaded 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 wordmaillon comes from theFrench language, meaning "link".[3]
Maillons are used primarily inclimbing andcaving. In caving, they are used to make secure and vital connections such as those required when usingsingle rope technique,[4] or for attaching ropes to anchor points. In climbing, they are used to construct leave-in-placeabseil anchors. Maillons can also be used for fastening harnesses with a dual attachment point.
