Whether tying down a vehicle on a trailer, cinching gear in your rig, or securing stuff on a roof rack, everyone should have a set of ratchet straps in their tool kit. They help keep items from moving around and are, essentially, a product to keep things safe and secure.
I’ve used a wide variety of ratchet tie-down straps, and their quality and performance can vary greatly. I recently got my hands on a set of Keeper KwikFeed ratchet tie-down straps. The press release touts these straps’ as having “fast, hassle-free loading” and “unmatched speed and simplicity.”
FYI, Keeper has been in business since 1979 and offers a variety of cargo, towing, and trailer products for both consumer and commercial use, and their products are widely available.
Admittedly, not all ratchet straps are created equal. Some can be difficult to open, tricky to feed, and a chore to undo. So, are the Keeper KiwkFeed straps any good?
Keeper sent both 1” x 12’ and 1.25” x 16’ straps (two ratchets and two straps per pack) with 500 lb. and 1,000 lb. working load limits (WLL), and 1,500 lb. and 3,000 lb. breaking strengths, respectively.
Both feature the company’s patented KwikFeed technology, letting users slide the strap sideways through the rachet’s forged drum. This eliminates the need to thread the entire strap through it, speeding up the process of securing the load. Keeper claims a 35% reduction in load securing time using KwikFeed.
Large, Easy-To-Use Ratchets
The first thing I noticed about these products were the large, easy-to-hold handles and release levers. They feel good in the hand without digging in like cheap ratchet straps sets.
The release lever is sizable and easy to use with decent action. Additionally, they opened up effortlessly and the drums rotated with a quality feel.
Each ratchet has a hook with a thick rubberized coating and a durable safety clasp to prevent them from falling off the anchor point under slack. The clasps are also rubberized, textured, and sturdy.
Additionally, there’s a soft tie loop near the ratchet handle, which makes it easy to tie back on itself for further rigging ability.
Durable Straps
The straps themselves feature the brand’s Extreme Edge Webbing which Keeper says has 30% more cut resistance for high durability. They WLL is clearly marked on the straps in both pounds and kilograms. The 12’ straps have easy-to-see orange edges, which aid in visibility.
The 16’ straps are two shades of gray, however. Sewing and construction feels strong. The straps aren’t too thick nor too flimsy feeling.
Using the KwikFeed Technology
The slick thing about these straps is you can hook both ends to their anchor points, pull tension on them, then simply slide the strap into the drum without needing to feed the entire strap through the slot.
Instead, you slide the strap in from the drum’s side. It can take a bit of practice, but it’s a neat system without the hassle some ratchet strap sets present.
In my testing, I used the 12” straps to secure an ARB Fridge/Freezer, and then later, to secure our gear during the 2025 Thunderbird Rally. This included backpacks, bags, and toolboxes.
The KiwkFeed tech works well most of the time. Occasionally, you fumble with the strap when sliding it in sideways, but most of the time it works as advertised. Once under tension, the ratchets move smoothly and feel well made. After nearly 600 miles of road rally competition, our gear didn’t move an inch.
Releasing the Ratchets
When it came time to undo the ratchet’s tension, the large ergonomic handle made it easy, without binding or fuss. Many cheap ratchets don’t have rubber or plastic coatings on the release levers and can dig into fingers. Not the case with the Keepers, which always felt comfortable.
However, due to the side notch on the drum, which allows the “kwik feeding,” the strap can get doubled over when pulling it through the slot after use. This happened more than once. Perhaps with more practice it wouldn’t happen as often, but it’s worth noting. Regardless, the drums rotated smoothly and easily.
Ratcheting Innovation
Ratchet straps aren’t generally a product you associate with innovation. However, Keeper KwikFeed straps improve on an age-old item.
While many companies can offer a durable strap with good handles and fabric, the notched forged drums really do make securing your cargo faster and easier. Prices start around $16 for the 1” x 12’ version.
Note: a 2” x 27’ version is also available with a 3,333 lb. WLL for heavy-duty applications.
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