DeWalt 6 ft twin-leg internal energy-absorbing lanyard with steel snap hooks on all ends

What I’ve Been Using

For the past few months I’ve been clipping into a DeWalt twin‑leg lanyard with an internal energy absorber. It’s a 6‑foot, 100% tie‑off setup with steel snap hooks at every connection point. In practice, that means I can move from point to point while staying continuously tied off, without dragging around the bulk of an external shock pack. DeWalt built the absorber into the webbing, so the whole system sits flatter against the harness and snags less as you work.

Build and Design

The lanyard uses 1.2-inch polyester webbing and zinc‑plated steel hardware. The twin legs are symmetrical, with steel snap hooks on the anchorage ends and a steel snap hook at the harness end. DeWalt rates the webbing to a minimum static strength of 6,000 lb, and the hooks meet the ANSI 3,600 lb gate strength requirement. The hardware and stitching are tidy and consistent on my sample, with reinforced bar tacks at high‑load junctions.

The internal absorber is the headline feature. Instead of a bulky shock pack stitched onto one leg, the absorber is housed within the webbing. That reduces the snag risk and keeps the lanyard’s profile slim—especially noticeable when you’re using harness keepers to stow the idle leg. Compared to traditional external packs, this design is cleaner across the chest and less likely to interfere with tool lanyards or radio straps.

Weight comes in around 4.3 lb for the twin‑leg setup with steel hooks. That’s not featherweight, but it’s reasonable given the twin configuration and all‑steel connectors. More importantly, the weight is distributed evenly when clipped to the dorsal D‑ring, so it doesn’t feel like it’s dragging your harness off-center.

In the Field

I used the lanyard primarily on structural steel and roof framing where 100% tie‑off is non‑negotiable. The twin legs make transitions straightforward: clip the next anchor, confirm it’s fully seated, then move the trailing leg. The snap hooks open and close with a positive, crisp action, and they resist side‑loading when you’re working around angle iron and small structural members. Gate clearance is better suited to D‑rings, anchors, and smaller diameter attachment points rather than oversized rebar. If you regularly anchor to large-diameter steel, you’ll want a variant with rebar hooks.

The biggest difference from my older external‑pack lanyard is how little this one gets in the way. There’s no brick‑sized pouch flopping around. The internal absorber keeps the legs supple and easy to dress through keepers. That matters in tight corridors and when you’re wearing a tool belt—less bulk translates to less snagging and fewer interruptions.

DeWalt includes a protected label pack, which is more important than it sounds. The label pouch is durable enough to keep the vital stats legible after months of grime and abrasion. It also houses an impact indicator that flags when the lanyard’s been loaded in a fall and must be removed from service. I give the indicator a quick glance during pre‑use checks; it’s easy to see and hasn’t peeled or filled with grit.

Comfort and Handling

Between the internal absorber and polyester webbing, handling is smooth. The legs coil predictably and don’t develop hard memory kinks. On a long day, that makes stowing and unstowing the idle leg less fiddly. The all‑steel connectors add heft, but they also add durability. I’ve knocked the hooks against concrete and galvanizing more times than I care to admit—no deformation or sticking, and the gates still close cleanly.

One caveat with any twin‑leg: manage your slack. This lanyard has enough flexibility that it’s tempting to clip low and keep moving. Resist the temptation. Keep anchors at or above D‑ring height whenever possible. Overhead anchoring not only shortens fall distance but also reduces trip hazards from trailing legs.

Safety and Compliance

The lanyard is rated to ANSI Z359.13‑2013 and Z359.3‑2019 and meets OSHA 1910.140 and 1926.502. The connectors meet the 3,600 lb gate strength criterion typical of modern ANSI hardware. It’s suitable for fall arrest when used within the manufacturer’s instructions and with compatible harnesses and anchors.

A quick word on clearance, because it matters. With a 6‑foot lanyard, your worst case (anchorage at D‑ring height) assumes up to 6 feet of free fall, plus up to 3.5 feet of energy absorber deceleration, plus harness stretch and D‑ring shift (call it 1–2 feet), plus a safety margin. In practice, I plan for roughly 14–17 feet of clearance below the working surface to the next lower level. If your anchor is below D‑ring height, your required clearance increases. Always verify site‑specific clearance before use, and choose your anchor locations accordingly.

As with any energy‑absorbing lanyard, once it’s been deployed in a fall—or if that impact indicator shows activation—it’s done. Tag it out and remove it from service.

Inspection and Tracking

DeWalt leans into serviceability with a QR code and an RFID tag. The QR code is easy: scan it with a phone, and you’re taken to product and inspection information. For larger fleets, the RFID tag integrates with asset management systems so you can log inspections without digging for faded labels or scribbling on clipboards. I tested scans with a basic handheld reader and had reliable hits through the label pack.

During inspections, the webbing edges show the expected light fuzzing over time but no glazing or broken stitches. The zinc plating on the hooks resists rust well; still, if you work in salt air or industrial chemical environments, clean and dry the hardware regularly. The protected label pack is genuinely robust—mine remains legible after rain, dust, and the interior of a work truck that doubles as a gravel sifter.

What I’d Change

• Hook options: The standard steel snap hooks are versatile, but there’s no getting around their limited throat for big anchors. A factory option with rebar hooks would broaden its use on heavy steel.
• Weight: For long vertical climbs or tower work, aluminum hooks shave ounces you’ll notice. Steel is durable, but a lighter variant would be welcome.
• Visual leg differentiation: Color‑coding or a contrasting tracer on one leg would make it quicker to identify which leg is parked and which is live when you’re working in low light.

None of these are dealbreakers; they’re quality‑of‑life tweaks that would make a good lanyard even better.

Who It’s For

• General construction crews needing 100% tie‑off without the bulk of an external shock pack.
• Maintenance and facilities teams managing mixed assets, where QR/RFID tracking streamlines inspections.
• Users who prefer steel hardware for durability and don’t need oversized rebar hooks.

If your anchorage points are consistently large diameter or you’re weight‑sensitive (tower, wind, telecom), you may want to look for a variant with rebar hooks or lighter connectors.

The Bottom Line

The DeWalt twin‑leg lanyard strikes the right balance of simplicity, durability, and modern features. The internal energy absorber noticeably reduces bulk, improves handling, and keeps the system tidy around your harness. The impact indicator, protected labels, and built‑in QR/RFID make pre‑use checks and record‑keeping straightforward—small things that support safer habits.

Is it the lightest twin‑leg lanyard out there? No. But for a steel‑hook, twin‑leg configuration, the weight is reasonable and the ergonomics are solid. The hooks feel secure, the webbing holds up, and the whole package meets the relevant ANSI and OSHA standards.

Recommendation: I recommend this lanyard for anyone who needs a dependable, twin‑leg fall‑arrest solution with clean handling and strong inspection/asset‑tracking features. It’s especially compelling for crews who value reduced bulk at the harness and need to keep inspection records tight. If your work demands rebar‑sized connectors or ultra‑light hardware, consider those variants; otherwise, this model is a smart, work‑ready choice.