Metal Shackles

A Tight Grip

Quality - 5/5 stars

This is actually going to be pretty hard to do as there are 3 different "brands" pictured here. Top-center is a Harbor Freight receiver hitch D-ring shackle. Left we have 2 metal shackles that came with my Hi-Lift off-road recovery kit. To the right, just another metal D-ring shackle! As long as the grade of the metal is sufficient, you will have a quality product though I again do not know how far I would take that with a Harbor Freight product.

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Usefulness - 5/5 stars

Whether you need to hook a recovery rope or tow strap to a vehicle or just want to hang a winch point from your vehicle, a metal shackle is usually the go-to! They are, for the most part, weather tolerant so you can leave them out year-round if you really want and they are built for whatever you can throw at them. They are not just useful but essential if you intend to head off-road in your vehicle especially if there is a risk of getting stuck and needing a tow.

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Cost - 5/5 stars

They are simple, honest tools that haven't changed in design probably since they were created. As a result, they are relatively inexpensive so you should be able to stock up without breaking the bank!

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Overall - 5/5 stars

My only problem with metal shackles is that they do have a threaded pin that can get stuck from road grit or rust buildup. A little oil fixes that but it is still a bit of a chore always having to remove and replace the pin all the time. On the other hand, they should never wear out on you unless you seriously abuse them or bought a low-grade metal. In any case, I do recommend carrying a few with you as your primary or backup, whatever you choose!