The 8 Best Grappling Hooks
Updated by · How we research
No grappling hook here is climbing gear. We compare 8 folding, fixed and pocket hooks by claws, steel, size and rope; the Ruipoo Folding leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
None of these hooks is climbing gear, and every load number for them is the seller's claim. A grappling hook, or grapnel, has three or four prongs on the end of a rope, and people throw or drag one to pull down branches, recover gear from water, clear pond weeds or anchor a small boat. The rope and carabiner matter as much as the hook.
Editor's Notes
October 19, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Half the 2021 picks were gone, and owner reports pushed out one more. The GearOZ Multifunctional, Lixada Survival GR40C, Titaner Titanium and Cyfie Grapnel are no longer available, and the Maomao Gravity Hook listing has disappeared. We also dropped the Fury Martial Arts FP03400. It's cheap, but owners describe a folding joint that works loose and a threaded section that snapped, and that's not a part you want failing over your head.
The Ruipoo Folding stays on top. It has the best paper trail of any folding hook we looked at, including one owner's two-year write-up of hard use. The Cyfie 3-Claw, US Stainless 316 and TEC Retreev Mini stay too.
New are the Ant Mag 4-Claw, a full kit with 65 feet of rope, the MHDMAG 3-Claw, a one-piece hook for water work, the TRIWONDER Gravity Hook, a light budget folder, and the Yiliaw X-13, a small hook for weeds and light pulls.
One thing hasn't changed since the last version of this page: none of these is climbing gear. Every load number here is the seller's claim, nobody has lab-tested these hooks, and the buyer's guide explains why the rope and carabiner matter as much as the hook.
February 12, 2021:
We are always happy to see that our previous recommendations are standing the test of time and continue to be the best options currently available, which is exactly what we found we revisiting this list for our current update. In fact, when used for their intended applications and within their recommended guidelines, all of our previous selections are still performing reliably, so we didn't remove any of them. However, we did identify a few other good options to add.
The Fury Martial Arts FP03400 is a new inclusion that we like for its non-reflective back finish, slightly rounded tips that can make for safer use, and ability to be unscrewed for storage. Another new addition is the Titaner Titanium, which is a small and easily carried grapnel that doubles as a waterproof container. And, finally, we also added the US Stainless Store 316 as an ideal choice for marine use, since it is made from corrosion-resistant steel and comes in a variety of sizes.
October 19, 2019:
While many of us may have images of ninjas scaling vertical obstacles when we think of grappling hooks, they are actual versatile tools that have a wide range of use. For example, they can be used to dredge riverbeds, pull a branch or frisbee out of a tree, or retrieve lost items from pits and crevices. With this in mind, we wanted to make sure we included a variety of models to ensure there was one suited to every need. Before getting into which are some of our favorite options and why, we want to point out that you should always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for safe use of these items. That means not using one to suspend your body weight unless it is specifically stated as being suitable for climbing, no matter how much capacity a particular model has.
This round of updates saw a lot of new models being added, and a lot of old ones being removed. For example, the Reitu Outdoor was replaced with the Cyfie 3-Claw. Both of these have three arms, but the latter has significantly more buyer reviews for us to base our decision on. We also replaced the TI-EDC Gear with the Ruipoo Folding, since the latter has nearly 150-percent more weight capacity than the former, as well as a saw tooth design that gives it a better grip on most material.
If you primary use for a grappling hook is retrieving items and you want something small and very portable, we recommend you take a look at the GearOZ Multifunctional, which is both a grapnel and gravity hook, or the TEC Retreev Mini, which has removable tines that can be stored inside the main unit.
Special Honors
Rapid Assault Tools GHX8 Rapid Assault Tools makes the GHX8, a folding hook machined from 7075-T651 aluminum with a black anodized finish and a stainless shackle. The maker rates it at 1,650 pounds. It weighs about 1.6 pounds, measures 8 inches long and 11 inches across when open, and folds to about 4 inches wide. It's built for police and military entry teams and costs several times as much as a consumer hook, which is why it sits here rather than in the ranking. ratools.com
Folding Or Fixed, Three Claws Or Four
Size matters too: a 5-inch hook is for weeds and floating debris, while a 9- to 10-inch hook can grab a limb.
A grappling hook, or grapnel, is a shaft with a rope eye at one end and three or more prongs at the other (Wikipedia). Most hooks sold for outdoor use today fall into four groups.
Folding hooks swing their claws flat against the shaft for carrying, then lock them open with a twist collar or a screw sleeve. They pack small, and the saw teeth on most of them bite into bark and rock. The trade-off is the joint: rivets, threads and collars are the parts that wear, loosen or rust. One owner who used a Ruipoo folding hook for two years as an ATV winch anchor and branch puller found only rust specks, but he oiled the claws and threads after wet use (BushLife).
Fixed hooks are one piece, so there's nothing to fail but the steel. They're bulkier and don't fit a pocket, but they suit water work, where a joint collects grit. A welded 316 stainless grapnel is the choice for salt water and boat use.
Pocket retrieval tools, such as the TEC Retreev Mini, carry tiny spikes in a keychain capsule. They're for keys and small objects only.
Tactical hooks, such as the Capewell Retractable and the Rapid Assault Tools GHX8, are machined for police and military teams, cost several times as much, and are mostly sold outside general retail.
Three claws fold narrower and weigh less. Four claws catch more reliably on a branch or a rock edge. Size matters too: a 5-inch hook is for weeds and floating debris, while a 9- to 10-inch hook can grab a limb.
What The Load Ratings Really Mean
Every pound figure on a grappling hook listing is the seller's own claim. We found no independent lab or break test for any hook on this list, and the same hook often carries different ratings from different sellers. The Cyfie 3-Claw is listed at 660, 770 and 880 pounds depending on where you look, and its seller calls its figure experimental. Climbing magazine also notes owner reports of cheap hooks bending or breaking under modest loads (Climbing via Yahoo).
Even a true rating applies to a straight, steady pull on the hook itself. Pulling at an angle, jerking the line or loading a single claw tip lowers what it can hold. The rope, knots and carabiner are rated separately and are usually the weakest link. Owners of several kits say the included carabiners are low quality, and Ant Mag notes that its claw rivets aren't stainless. US Stainless, which marks its 316 hooks with the grade and maker, publishes no load rating at all and says not to use them for overhead lifting.
Treat a claimed rating as a ceiling for comparison, not a working load. Choose a rope rated well above the job, replace bargain carabiners with a rated one, and keep pulls slow and in line.
Safe Use And Care
No grappling hook on this page is climbing gear. Climbing equipment carries UIAA or CE certification with climbing listed as an approved use, and Climbing magazine points out that nothing in a typical grappling hook setup is designed or tested to hold a person. It also warns that pulling on a hook lodged in rock can dislodge loose stone onto whoever is below (Climbing via Yahoo). The certification body is the UIAA. Several sellers on this page say the same thing in their own listings.
Throw only where nobody stands downrange, and remember a hook that misses a branch comes back down. If you use one as a winch anchor, stand to the side of the line, not behind it, because a hook that pops loose under tension flies back toward the winch. The BushLife reviewer also recommends a synthetic winch line over steel cable for this reason.
Open new hooks with care, since the points are sharp. After water or mud, rinse the hook, dry it, and oil the claws and any threads; carbon-steel claws rust faster than stainless ones. Before each use, check that rivets are tight and that the lock collar seats fully. In freezing weather, dry the mechanism first so it doesn't ice up. And use a hook only on property where you have permission.
How we researched this
We compared 19 grappling hooks and retrieval tools, including every product on the previous version of this list, and screened nine in depth. We read the sellers' and makers' published specifications, a two-year owner review, Climbing magazine's guidance on grappling hooks and patterns in owner feedback, and we checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab tests of these hooks. Every load figure on this page is the seller's own claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can you climb with a grappling hook?
No. Grappling hooks sold for outdoor use aren't certified climbing gear, and several sellers say so in their listings. Climbing equipment carries UIAA or CE certification for climbing. Use a hook to pull, retrieve or anchor objects, never to hold a person.
What are the types of grappling hooks?
There are four common types: folding hooks with three or four claws, one-piece fixed grapnels, pocket retrieval tools such as the TEC Retreev Mini, and tactical hooks built for police and military teams.
Is a grapnel the same as a grappling hook?
Yes. Grapnel is another name for a multi-pronged hook, and the word also covers small grapnel anchors used to hold a dinghy or kayak in place.
Should I get a folding or a fixed grappling hook?
Folding hooks pack small and suit hikers and drivers. Fixed hooks have no joint to loosen or rust, so they suit pond, dock and boat use, especially in a 316 stainless version for salt water.
Does the rope matter?
Yes. A hook is only as strong as its rope, knots and carabiner, and kit carabiners draw frequent owner complaints. Pick a rope rated well above the job and replace a cheap carabiner with a rated one.
What is the Capewell Retractable grappling hook?
It's a U.S.-made retractable tactical hook sold mainly to police and military buyers. Its rating is about 1,600 pounds per the maker and dealers. It was sold out at the dealer we checked, and its price is several times that of consumer hooks.
