Make sure you get locking biners, preferably the screw lock type. I went to a SWR class a couple weekends ago and heard several stories about how open gate biners just seem to find things to lock into, often at the worst possible time. Imagine you're a swimmer and someone throws you a bag. Great! Then the throw rope slides across your swamped kayak and right into the open gate biner you have on your water bottle, which is attached to your kayak. This is not good! I even replaced the open gate biner that came with my tow tether. No more open gate biners for me!
One thing about locking biners is that the gate hinge and screw lock get "sticky" over time, due to mineral deposits and corrosion from sand particles. I recently replaced my old "shiny" metal locking biners with ones that are coated. They were only a few bucks more expensive. Time will tell if they hold up better than non-coated biners.
As for where to buy, you can support a local climbing shop or go to REI. Your choice.
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