Most daisy chains are three- to four-foot pieces of webbing that have been doubled back and divided into multiple, two-inch bar-tacked loops. They come in various diameters and lengths and are made of a variety of materials, including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (Dyneema or Spectra) and nylon. Dyneema or Spectra became popular in the 1990s. Super strong (15 times stronger than steel) and super light, it is durable and resistant to moisture and UV light.
Attached directly to a harness, "daisies" enable a climber to both secure herself to an anchor or piece of gear and also to adjust the distance between herself and that anchor or gear easily. All sorts of climbers who want an easy, convenient way to clip to the anchor use daisy chains. However, they were developed for aid climbers, who use them to clip to and weight a piece of gear while placing another piece.
There are also some adjustable daisy chains, which are handy because a climber doesn't have to clip or unclip to adjust how far she is from her anchor or piece of gear.
What to Look for
When choosing a daisy chain, consider pricing, the weight you want to carry, the width of the webbing used, the length of the daisy and the type of climbing you will be doing. Dyneema and Spectra cost more than nylon, but can really make a difference to alpinists or other climbers wanting to significantly reduce the weight they carry, especially if you purchase the thinnest models. People using daisies for aid climbing might want to consider a beefier version that will withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Choose length based on what feels most convenient. People with longer arms might want a longer daisy chain, while shorter people might find the extra loops annoying.
Common Pitfalls
Adjustable daisy chains are really nice when brand new because they make adjusting the distance between a climber and an anchor very easy. However, the metal buckle (like a belt buckle) gets gritty and wears down after much use. Coupled with the wear and tear of the webbing, which often makes the webbing fuzzier and thicker, these daisy chains often become increasingly difficult to use.
In terms of types of material, Dyneema or Spectra webbing is fantastic and has revolutionized the climbing experience in terms of lightening climber loads. However, be careful because when knotted back on itself or other slings of similar material, Dyneema or Spectra can burn through itself.
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