Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw

Curated from 67 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 9, 2025

Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw

Brand: Black Diamond
Price: $19
Snoop Score:
2.9
Sentiment
6.4
Popularity
1.1
Technical
2.5

Snoop's Take

The Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw is designed specifically for rock climbing enthusiasts who seek reliability and ease of use. Featuring a new HotForge top carabiner and a redesigned HotWire wiregate at the bottom, this quickdraw enhances safety and performance during climbs. Consumer sentiment around the Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw highlights its snag-free design and lightweight nature, making it a favorite among climbers. Users appreciate the keylock design, with one stating, "Keylock, Keylock, Keylock," emphasizing its importance in preventing snagging during use. However, there are concerns regarding potential gate failures, with some users advising caution when clipping directly to the harness due to safety issues. Overall, despite some concerns about gate reliability, the Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw is recommended for climbers looking for a lightweight and effective quickdraw option, especially for sport climbing where thicker dogbones are preferred.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Quickdraws

The only place I really notice a big difference between expensive biners and cheap biners is on the rope side of of alpine draws - having a snag-free biner is awesome for when you extend it.

Positive Feedback

Such an odd failure. Why did the gate blow out the spring on the backside.

Negative Feedback
Product
2.9
Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw
Sport Climbing
2 / 10
Trad Climbing
2 / 10
Gym and Indoor Climbing
2 / 10
Multi-Pitch & Alpine
2 / 10
See how this compares to all Quickdraws

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Snag-free clipping is beneficial
The only place I really notice a big difference between expensive biners and cheap biners is on the rope side of of alpine draws - having a snag-free biner is awesome for when you extend it.
Light and reliable quickdraws
They have taken a beating and are really easy to clip and are light weight.
I prefer clipping wiregate over a traditional gate.
Keylock design is preferred
Keylock, Keylock, Keylock.
Ended up going with the all keylock set and this just reaffirmed my decision so thanks!
Thicker dogbones are preferred for sport climbing
People tend to use thicker dogbones for sport as they quite often end up pulling on them when redpointing routes, thin and light ones for trad as the gear is less likely to be used to pull on.
They keep the gates oriented the right way, and will stay more organized on your harness.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Gate failure during use
Such an odd failure. Why did the gate blow out the spring on the backside.
If safety is your thing, technically wire gates are slightly safer because they are harder to come out when the gate is being pushed down, or something.
Concerns about gate failure during use
Maybe don't clip the quickdraw from the bolt directly to the harness because if you fall it will break
Quick draws use short dynama/nylon slings that have no stretch in them. So when you fall directly on a sling it is likely going to rip/snap.
Keynose are worth the money. The rest is just style.
I used to care about solid gates and gate flutter, but I stopped giving a toodleboot about that.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Black Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cmBlack Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cm$19
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Black Diamond Hotforge Hybrid QuickdrawBlack Diamond Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw$19
1.0
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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Importance of dogbone thickness
Thicker dogbone is better for grabbing = for sport climbing.
Preference for keylock design for easier cleaning
keylock on bolt side for easier cleaning. Nose hook on rope side for lower chance of accidental un-clipping.
Preference for key lock design for easier cleaning
I make sure all of my draws have key lock instead, that provides the same function as the hood wire.
General discussions about climbing gear preferences
really helpful website.
Comparative opinions on quickdraw brands
No more twisting draws making things backclipped.
Theyre significantly cheaper at the sale price, but their shape is slightly different then the bd biners.
Preference for longer slings in quickdraws
17cm slings are nicer imo. and the petzl spirit express is the best, but the black diamond positrons will work fine!
Debate about the importance of material for slings
nylon makes it easier to grab the draws for those sketchy clips when you dun wanna fall while clipping

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion on replacing carabiners in quickdraws
Can you put different carabiners in a quickdraw (aka swap them out for new ones)?
you can replace the carabiners on a quickdraw usually without issue, unless the rubber band that secures the rope side biner is too tight for the spine of the new biner to fit through.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Preference in quickdraws varies by personal experience
I find them noticeably easier to clip than when I have to use my friends’ QuickDraws.
Preference for different quickdraw styles
Opinions on sport specific quickdraws. As someone who only sport climbs and boulders, is it worth investing in some sport specific quickdraws such as BD Freewire, or just using all round draws?
Purchase the draws you like.
I am personally not a fan of the BD Freewires. They just feel cheap for some reason.
Quickdraws: Wire VS Solid? Its as implied in the title, but I just wanna hear your opinions on what to get.
General preference discussion for quickdraws
Very comparable to the spirits and have a hooded wire gate on the rope-end biner for cleaning.
Discussion on sales and budget options for quickdraws
There are always sales going on, like 20% off here and there, but when are the "end of the season" sales?
If anyone is on a tighter budget and is willing to wait for a sale on some cheap but solid quickdraws, every so often on amazon The Gear Coop puts a 5-pack of camp wire gate quickdraws on sale
just pickup the black diamond set that is on closeout now. 12 draws for like 100.
Replacement of soft gear depends on use and storage conditions
If it was used for 5 years straight or kept in the car for 5 years, then yes.
Discussion on preferences for different quickdraw brands
thanks! I was also eyeing up the Spirits as well but I don't know if he'd prefer the bent or straight gates
Discussion about transitioning from sport to trad climbing
Are you thinking of transitioning to trad eventually?

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Generally, no major differences between brands
Any major brand is fine and there isn't any real difference.
There are actually 0 make or break features on QDs, only preference.
Static gear should not be used in certain fall scenarios
Static gear - as for quickdraws - must never be used with fall factor 1 or 2.
It's fine to do, but never, ever climb above the fixed pro when doing so as a fall could result in major damage to you or the static gear.
Discussion on wiregate vs solid gate preferences
Having the nose not make as an aggressive "hook" makes it so that you don't have to twist the biner as much when clipping.
Preference for different quickdraw styles varies by personal experience
helping with buying quick draws
Confusion over CE tags and dating quickdraws
both CE notified body numbers and have nothing to do with dates.
Concerns about brand reliability and quality issues
The lack of email response and disappearance of live people on phones is frustrating as well.
When couldn't admit to causing actual deaths, I'll pass on their stuff.
I think the release buttons were defective.

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