[Keith D.]

Hi All,

Just wanted to let everyone know my recent experience with Salamander. I bought a Salamander throw bag for a GC trip and noticed it had a non-locking carabiner. So, I called Salamander and asked “Is this a mistake or is it standard on their throw bags”. The guy quickly replied it’s standard and hung up, I tried calling back and they never answered my call.

So, if you’re in the market for a throw bag take this into consideration.

 

[caverdan]

I'm surprised a carabiner comes with a new throw bag.

NRS sucks!!!.......cus I didn't get a carabiner when I bought my throw bag.

Wait ......Maybe someone stole it and NRS doesn't suck. 🤔

 

[MNichols]

Not a one of my bags ever came with a biner, locking or otherwise. Had one come with a Kong dog toy on the end, supposed to make it easier to re throw if you missed.. Took it off, was a good theory, but...

 

[GOTY2011]

You don’t mention which model you purchased, but I have purchased a few of his throw bags and other items over the years and have always been impressed.

The website shows most throw bags don’t come with a carabiner of any kind at all. Is the model you purchased listed online with a locking carabiner?

 

[Conundrum]

Some of their waist bags come with a big non-locker as a tow tether for kayaking. Been that way for a long time.

 

[Keith D.]

You don’t mention which model you purchased, but I have purchased a few of his throw bags and other items over the years and have always been impressed.

The website shows most throw bags don’t come with a carabiner of any kind at all. Is the model you purchased listed online with a locking carabiner?

I believe it is the Golden retriever, I got it from a local shop so not sure how it is advertised online. I guess I’m more shocked about the response from their customer service, not to mention a whitewater gear manufacturer using a nonlocking carabiner on a $78 throw bag.

 

[carvedog]

I had to pay $16 for a burger and fries yesterday and it came with a regular carabiner. This bullshit is pervasive.

 

[BastrdSonOfElvis]

Is it a large “paddle biner” meant to be able to clip onto a kayak paddle shaft? I’m yet to see a locking one of those.

 

[flipper42]

Same bought about 5 bags in my day never had a carabiner come with it. Yea bummer he didn't answer your call a second time.

 

[flipper42]

Wouldn't a locking carabiner be a hazard any way?

 

[Easy Tiger]

Dude you need to chill out a little bit. A quick look on Salamander's website shows that the Golden Retriever does come with a non-locking carabiner and exactly what its purpose is: Float Bags for Sale | Salamander Paddle Gear

If you'd rather a locking biner just put a locker on there.

 

[Electric-Mayhem]

Regardless of what carabiner it has.... I will admit that if it did actually go down like you said that its not a great look but will also admit to that possibliy being my response depending on the day I'm having. That said, a quick but friendly response would likely have left the customer happy.

Its not always easy to keep a pleasant disposition and perhaps we should give them a bit of leeway for maybe having a bad day. They seem to make nice stuff... easy enough to replace the carabiner with something you prefer. I tend to prefer a locker too.... but in this case, since the bag has a quick release having a non locker might be a little bit more justified.

 

[tango]

Man, I bought a Dagger Phantom that came with a river knife, water bottle, and frisbee but no sponge if you can believe it. I called and asked if this was a mistake or is it standard, since Daggers leak and all, and they hung up on me too!

 

[Big_B]

I like Salamander and always had good experiences when talking with him on the phone.

I did replace the non-locking biner with a locker just incase I ever forget to put it back in it's pouch on the bag.

 

[donutboy]

So you got a free '****** and called them to tell them that they fugged up? I'd be sure to yelp their butts too!

 

[Wallrat]

I believe it is the Golden retriever, I got it from a local shop so not sure how it is advertised online. I guess I’m more shocked about the response from their customer service, not to mention a whitewater gear manufacturer using a nonlocking carabiner on a $78 throw bag.

If you got it from a local shop…why did you call Salamander? Anyway I’m totally shocked too. It should have come with an entire quickdraw.

 

[Keith D.]

If you got it from a local shop…why did you call Salamander? Anyway I’m totally shocked too. It should have come with an entire quickdraw.

Because I wanted to keep the bag and thought they would be like, no we don’t use those anymore and send me a locking one, but I was wrong. I thought it was basic knowledge that you only use locking carabiners in whitewater but I guess that’s just me.

 

[GOTY2011]

This sounds like a conversation that should have been between you and the shop, instead a dragging a manufacturer. They fulfilled their obligation as advertised.

Derek

 

[Keith D.]

This sounds like a conversation that should have been between you and the shop, instead a dragging a manufacturer. They fulfilled their obligation as advertised.

Derek

No, that is their product and I was asking questions directly related to the safety of their product, so, I was having a conversation with the right person. Not to motion the crappy customer service from the manufactuer.

 

[Ezcruzr]

The carabiner that came with my salamander throw bag was for rescuing a kayak or the likes. A locking carabiner would make that very tough. It's hard enough to clip on to a run away kayak in the rapids as it is. With a locking carabiner, good luck.