AustriAlpin HMS Rondo Review — Austrian-Made All-Rounder
A round-profile HMS screwlock with a 25mm gate opening, made in Tirol
Comparing more than one carabiner? This is one of five in our full HMS carabiner comparison — see how the Rondo stacks up against the Petzl Attache, Black Diamond RockLock, DMM Phantom HMS, and Mammut Crag HMS.
Read the full comparison →| Weight | 89 g |
|---|---|
| Shape | HMS (Pear), EN 12275 Type H — for the Munter hitch and belay devices |
| Locking System | Screwlock |
| Major Axis | 23 kN (minimum breaking load) |
| Minor Axis | 10 kN (minimum breaking load) |
| Open Gate Strength | 7 kN (minimum breaking load) |
| Gate Opening | 25 mm |
| Dimensions | 110 mm long × 72 mm wide |
| Materials | Anodized aluminium body (matte black) and gate (black), black ktl-coated steel sleeve |
| Standards | EN 12275:2013 (H), EN 362:2004 (B), UIAA 121 |
| Made In | Austria (Tirol) |
| Best For | Sport climbing · ice climbing · mountain sports · all-round belaying |
The AustriAlpin HMS Rondo screwlock carabiner
How It Rates
In This Review
Where to Buy the AustriAlpin HMS Rondo
Support your local climbing shop first. If it’s out of stock, these retailers ship across Europe:
Prices shown are approximate — tap through for current pricing and stock.
What It’s Built For
AustriAlpin describes the HMS Rondo as meeting “all the requirements regarding simple handling and tangible safety,” and the design is built around that. The round profile is meant to allow fluid rope management, which is why AustriAlpin calls it an ideal carabiner for all-around use, and the shape is designed to prevent sharp edges building up from rope friction over time. The manufacturer lists sport climbing, ice climbing, and mountain sports as its main use cases. With a 25mm gate opening and a pear-shaped HMS body, it’s also built for the Munter hitch and tube-style belay devices.
Build & Standards
One naming note before you buy: AustriAlpin sell several HMS Rondo variants. This review covers the standard screwlock (Art.no. KR11B-X). There’s also a brass-sleeve version, a GI brass-sleeve version, and a Selfie variant that’s heavier at 93g with a wider 27mm gate. Check the article number if the spec you’re reading doesn’t match what’s below.
The body and gate are anodized aluminium in matte black, paired with a black ktl-coated steel sleeve, and it’s made in Tirol, Austria. AustriAlpin says a special milling at the thread gives the screwlock a self-cleaning action, a detail aimed at the grit that gets into a screwgate over time. On paper it’s strong enough for the job: 23kN along the major axis, 10kN on the minor axis, and 7kN with the gate open, and it’s certified to EN 12275:2013 (Type H), EN 362:2004 (Type B), and UIAA 121. At 89g and 110mm long, it’s the heaviest carabiner in our five-way comparison, which is the trade-off for that larger, rounder body.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Round profile designed for fluid rope management, per AustriAlpin
- 25mm gate opening on a true HMS (EN 12275 Type H) shape
- Thread milling designed to give the screwlock a self-cleaning action
- Certified to EN 12275 (H), EN 362 (B), and UIAA 121
- Made in Tirol, Austria
Cons
- Heaviest of the five carabiners in our comparison, at 89g
- Manual screwlock only — needs discipline to check every time
- Price varies by retailer — from €14.83 up to €20.50
AustriAlpin HMS Rondo Review: Final Verdict
On its published specs, the Rondo is a well-made, Austrian-built HMS for climbers who want a round, rope-friendly body and a generous 25mm gate and don’t mind carrying a few extra grams for it.
If weight matters more to you, our top pick for an all-round first locker is the Petzl Attache, covered in our full HMS carabiner comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AustriAlpin HMS Rondo certified?
Yes — AustriAlpin lists it as certified to EN 12275:2013 (Type H), EN 362:2004 (Type B), and UIAA 121.
What is the HMS Rondo made of?
Per AustriAlpin’s datasheet, the body and gate are anodized aluminium (matte black and black respectively) and the sleeve is black ktl-coated steel.
How heavy is the AustriAlpin HMS Rondo?
89g, and 110mm long by 72mm wide, per AustriAlpin. That makes it the heaviest of the five carabiners in our comparison.
Which HMS Rondo version is this?
The standard screwlock, article number KR11B-X. AustriAlpin also make a brass-sleeve version, a GI brass-sleeve version, and a Selfie variant at 93g with a 27mm gate opening. The specs on this page are for KR11B-X only.
Does the HMS Rondo work with a Munter hitch?
Yes — as an EN 12275 Type H (HMS) carabiner with a 25mm gate opening, it’s designed for the Munter hitch as well as tube-style belay devices.