I’ve noticed that when Elise goes online shopping for paracord, she really isn’t ever quite sure what she’s looking for. She typically has colour preferences and has a particular function in mind (to make a paracord wrap for her new ESEE knife, for instance), but at the end of the day, she still has no idea what type of paracord she’s just put into her shopping cart besides how it looks. And you can’t tell the quality of paracord simply by how it looks.
I figured it was high time I took a minute to write a full guide to paracord, mostly for you guys of course, but also so that Elise has a guide to reference in case she wants to switch up the colours of her paracord handles a week from now; you know, so she doesn’t have to ask me, “Is this one good?” a thousand times while going through the Amazon/eBay search results. With this guide, she should get the gist of how to find quality paracord without asking me each time, and so should anyone else that’s taken the time to read this.
I’ve been advocating the use of 550 paracord as a go-to cordage since long before I even began scribbling on this blog, and though I’ve never went into full detail with regards to why yet, I’ll be doing so here. There’s plenty of information online of course, it’s certainly already there for anyone who wants to learn, but I figured sticking all the useful information I could think of into one easy-to-browse source, like we did with our guide to batoning, might be helpful for quite a few people (Elise included).
I’m hoping that any and every question you could have about paracord will be answered in this article, but if you do have any questions that weren’t answered here, take some time to post them in the comments section and I’ll be sure to answer them!
What Is Paracord?
Paracord (otherwise known as parachute cord, 550 cord, and type III cord) gets its name from the fact that it was originally designed for the suspension of lines in parachutes. Made of nylon, and due to its legendary strength-to-weight ratio and fantastic versatility, paracord caught on with other military units, then in time with civilians as well.
A regular nylon or polyester rope, even if marketed as paracord (like unscrupulous sellers, especially on eBay, often do), does not meet the criteria of being paracord if it does not have a braided sheath with a varying number of interwoven strands within it. It’s important to separate common braided cordage with legitimate paracord, especially for survival applications, which is why I bring this up. Typical nylon or polyester rope does not have the versatility that paracord has, and when your life is on the line, you’ll find this distinction especially important.
What’s So Special About Paracord?
Flexibility. The core difference between standard nylon cord and paracord (besides paracord being 3 times strong per mass on average) is the way that paracord can be easily modified to fit any number of situations. Let’s take the golden standard that is 550/type III paracord for instance. If I only have, lets say, 1 foot/30 cm of paracord, but I need more length, I can actually extend what I’ve got to roughly 2.4 meters/8 feet of totally usable cordage by simply pulling the inner strands apart! This multi-tiered construction is precisely what gives paracord its superb strength, as the independent strands (which are typically each made up of 2, though sometimes 3, yarn strands themselves) will keep a cord whole even if a few strands break apart due to being nicked or from friction.
It should be remembered that paracord, even if “rated” at 550 lbs of strength is not a suitable replacement for a proper climbing rope. Its rating is optimal in nature using base case scenario and environment. If a weight is held static then lateral stress is far lesser than if dropped suddenly. What this means is that if you carry something that’s about 540 lbs with 550 paracord, and then the line shakes or the object you’re carrying drops, your paracord is going to snap because there’s extra weight due to the movement that hasn’t been accounted for. Needless to say, you should always be using the right cord for the right application, and always always, always use conservative numbers and estimates. Don’t even go near that threshold! You’d be tempting fate.
What Can I Use Paracord For?
Of course, you can use paracord out of box as a super strong single cord, but you can also segue multiple uses from that same cord by using the inner strands (the “guts”) for lighter tasks. Using paracord for wilderness survival or bushcraft is quite common. You can use the inner strands for doing things like making fishing lines, making small game traps, even holding branches together to hold together a shelter. The outer casting isn’t useless after you take out the inside, either! You can use that on its own for things like bootlaces or securing a knife to a stick to make a spear.
At the end of the day, the uses of paracord really come down to your imagination! From making nets all the way to assembling straps, you really have a great deal of bushcraft function options with only just a few feet of paracord on you. The same can’t be said for plain-Jane nylon rope. No way in hell.
Types of Paracord
There are 4 notable types of paracord. When survivalists discuss paracord, they are almost always referring to type III paracord/550 cord, due to its ubiquity as the middle child of the strength-to-price ratio. Bang for buck, type III paracord is a survivalist’s perfect fit. If you encounter genuine paracord in day-to-day life, it’s almost guaranteed to be type III/550 cord paracord.
For the sake of being thorough, however, lets take a look at all four types of paracord.
| Type I Paracord |
Type II Paracord |
Type III* Paracord |
Type IV Paracord |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example | (no example; rare) | Example | Example | |
| Rated Strength (Optimal) |
95 lbs | 400 lbs | 550 lbs (hence commonly being called *550 paracord!) | 750 lbs |
| Number of Core Strands |
1 | 4-7 | 7-9 | 11 |
| Primary Uses |
Very cheap, both in terms of cost and quality. Usually used for dummy cording, decorative uses, lacing, and other light duty tasks. | Never seen it sold anywhere. I wouldn’t bother looking either: simply skip it and go straight to type III/550 cord. Type III/550 is both cheaper (because it’s more common and available) and stronger. | Middle of the road in terms of both strength and quality. Usable for the vast majority of survival applications. Highly affordable. | Very strong, though cost reflects this. Significantly more expensive than type III paracord. Over 50-100% price increase over the type III alternative. |
Now before you rush out and buy your 550 paracord, we should discuss the reality that not all paracord is created equal. And just because it says something like “military rated” or “Mil Spec,” doesn’t mean it’s actually military grade in quality.
A Word of Caution: Be Careful What You Buy
True Military Spec paracord consists of a quality nylon outer layer, and an inner layer of 7-9 strands that each consist of 3 yarns, also made out of nylon. Thus, if you completely unravel the inside of Military Spec paracord, you’ll get one outer shell, and 21-27 individual yarns altogether.
Being labelled as Mil Spec paracord implies that the core standard of the paracord you’re interested in buying is the same as used for “official” military paracord. This might sound dandy to you, but just because the para-cord you’re looking at has 7 strands like “legit” paracord, doesn’t mean the materials used are of the same high quality or that the assembly is the same/the manufacturer has the same quality control. I have handled both Chinese paracord and American “military quality” paracord, and I can tell you that, when it comes to paracord, the American stuff is of much better quality, both in terms of tightness of the weave and the materials used. So do yourself a favour and opt out of that China-made paracord; get yourself some American-made paracord instead – unless you want some cheap stuff to play around with in the backyard.
In case you’re new here and need a disclaimer: please note that I’m not at all the kind of person who’s here to sell you on “American is always better.” I own plenty of manufactured-in-China knives that are better than some of my manufactured-in-America knives. I’m not the type to hold back from buying gear just because it isn’t made in the West, as I believe in assessing a product based on its own merits and not where it’s produced. Not knocking those who prefer to buy American, just want to be clear that I’m here to tell you how it is – with as little personal bias being involved as possible. And although many things made in China fare well in terms of quality, paracord is typically not one of them.
Commercial paracord, that’s paracord that isn’t made specifically for the military, can be good or bad. As I’ve stated, the Chinese commercial paracord is typically not anywhere near as good as the American stuff, but even the American stuff, while it’s a hell of a lot more trustworthy, I would field test before I needed. Be incredibly prudent when choosing your paracord sellers, and do remember that the adage “you get what you pay for” is ground in truth. The purpose of this paracord for any survivalist is ultimately to be there in case you need to use it in potentially life-saving ways. You should be able to trust your life with the paracord you’ve bought, so always keep this in mind when you make your purchase.
This is standard U.S.-made paracord (7 strands, 2 inner yarns), in case you’d like a visual reference:
Regardless of where you buy your paracord, it’s always best to remain at least a little skeptical concerning the advertising/marketing terminology of any given product. Whichever paracord you get: test, test, test! You know, before you end up in a situation where quality may be the difference between life and death!
How to Test Your Paracord for Quality
The easiest way to gauge the varying quality of true military paracord in comparison to the commercial stuff that’s sometimes labelled “mil spec” is by looking at what makes the true military paracord so special. First off, as I’ve mentioned, it’s 100% nylon, both for the outer shell and for each inner strand, consisting of 3 100% nylon yarns each. The cheaper commercial stuff frequently replaces the nylon with polyester, and the strands often have 2 yarns instead of 3. Which is fine. It will do in a pinch. It’s just not particularly “mil spec.”
Performing these two tasks is the only consistent way to really tell how close to military spec the paracord you’ve bought is: First, look at the number of yarns the inner core strands contain. Do you they have 2 or 3? If you’ve got 3 you’re closer to mil spec. Second, in order to determine whether the inner strands in your paracord are made of nylon or polyester, try to join the inner yarns with some nylon by burning the tips and fusing them together. Nylon will bond with nylon. Polyester will not bond with nylon (though polyester will bond with itself). If you’ve got polyester inner strands, but a nylon outer layer, that’s hugely problematic in case you ever need to create one mega line from all your strands, as the inner yarn won’t bond with your nylon outer layer, even if you need it to.
To test your paracord for quality, no surprise here: field test it. How do you do that? Just use it for anything you might need it for in the wilderness. Try making shelters with it. Use it to make traps. Apply unreasonable amounts of stress to it just to see how much it can feasibly handle. Take it apart and use the outer shell to fasten a knife to a stick and practice using that stick as a spear. You’ll be making sure what you’ve got will be good for what you may be needing it for, and you’ll be improving your bushcraft skills through practice in the meantime. Win-win.
I feel it bares repeating, but even if your paracord is not close to mil spec, if the quality of the paracord feels tight, and you have also field tested with no issues, then simply stop worrying about whether the paracord you have is good enough. Accept the fact that what you’ve got in front of you is good stuff, regardless of its origins.
I will note that I rarely buy, let alone use, legit “military” (labelled MIL-SPEC MIL-C-5040 type III paracord), as it’s far more expensive and annoying (as it’s less common) to get hold of. For 99% of bushcraft or survival uses one might encounter, high quality U.S.-made paracord that has 7 yarns, consisting of 2 yarns per strand each, is plenty strong enough. I know that people can feel strongly about this, but after years of using it, I have yet to have it fail on me, so I can’t say I have any cause to complain. As always, however, this is my opinion only, and your mileage may vary. If you feel more comfortable buying legit military grade stuff, at least you have all the facts and can make that choice for yourself; though if you don’t care and just want something reliable, the commercial 550 U.S.-made stuff, is fine.
Expiry and How Best to Store Paracord
Para-cord principally degrades with exposure to UV light, i.e. from being left out in the sun. Even then, it degrades very, very slowly. Not much else besides actual wear and tear from being flung around in sand and other abrasive dirt will degrade paracord over time. To keep damage to an absolute minimum, therefore, be sure to store our paracord someplace dark, out of the reach of the sun, and to not over-use your paracord. It’s better to be using new paracord than the same one over and over again.
Since para-cord is made of nylon, it’s mildew resistant and also offers significant resistance to humidity (non-contact), but to be on the safe side, it should definitely be stored in a cool, dry place inside a water-proof bag or container, on top of being away from UV light. These are optimal storage conditions for pretty much any gear you’ll want to stockpile, as well as any long-term storage/non-perishable foods, so keep this in mind if you’re planning out where to put your stockpile in your house.
All this said, always check your para-cord for signs of abrasion/friction damage (i.e. look for fraying) – especially if you’re going to use it on something critical. Better to be safe than sorry!
100 feet of paracord can translate into 800 feet of usable, strong cordage. Its multiplicative abilities cannot be understated, so bare that in mind when you question if you have room in your pack or on your EDC for a few feet of this wonder-product!
need help, I need direction on a double wrap with paracord. i am trying to make a hand guard. it is a call a parade baton circa 1900. the police carried this for normal duty, nicer ones for parade details.. please look up. Will take any suggestions …have tassels
I got the cheap stuff recently. The inner strands (9) do not fuse with the outer material when the flame is applied. Perhaps its nylon outer and Polyester strands…? However, using the heat gun on 360°C I achieved the desired result: the stuff fused! First I though it is the temperature of the flame which is too low. But then I read that it is about 700°C with a normal lighter. Maybe I should let it burn longer? I dont like it when the cord is blackened.
Still, I am happy with the cheap cord: It has nine strands and polyester has its strengths over nylon too (weight and resistance to water). For a sole camping application using on tarps this is maybe even better than nylon?
Question about small diameter cord (Micro Cord) .
I’ve noticed plenty of sites including those that are paracord sellers on Amazon that will sell “Micro cord 1.18mm” stated in the description yet send out and sometimes even show in the pictures “Micro 90” cord, the spool will even be labeled “Micro 90 1.18mm” even though I’ve seen charts from different distributors that have “Micro cord” at 1.18mm and “Micro 90” at 1.2mm diameter. However there are ONLY 2 other sites online that will have both Micro Cord and Micro 90 on the same chart. I make a mention of this because every other site including sellers on Amazon that will sell “Micro Cord” yet show an actual spool labeled “Micro 90” in the picture, or the description will say “Micro 90 1.18mm”, or sell “Micro 90” but show a spool of the smaller diameter Micro Cord.
Names, dimensions, and pictures of these 2 products is often found mix matched.
I KNOW there’s a difference because I have ordered “Micro Cord 1.18mm” and it all looks the same, it seems to be about 2 or 3 strands across, depending how you count as you roll it between your fingers as the braid seems to have actual sides. The 4th time I ordered “Micro Cord 1.18mm” from a seller I was sent Micro 90 cord (as printed on the label and sold on the page) and it even looks a bit thicker, counting across there are 4 strands wide, it feels more round as you roll it between your fingers.
I called the seller and he assured me it was it was “Micro Cord 1.18mm”. “1.18mm” was even printed on it right below the “Micro 90” and despite the fact that it definitely looks a bit thicker from the other 5 spools of Micro Cord I have. I don’t have a caliper to measure it myself so I had to take his word that it was 1.18mm.
There are even plenty of people who leave reviews saying similar “I purchased X cord but it’s actually thinner/thicker than the other micro cord I’ve purchased” (depending on what they think “normal” micro cord is), so there’s confusion by people wanting to buy a certain product and it seems sellers are confused as well.
So…
Is there a difference between “Micro Cord ” and “Micro 90”?
Are they in fact different diameters?
I’ve also tried repeatedly without success to find who or where does it state “X cord is/has to be X.XXmm” and I can’t find anything as to the origin to the sizing of “Micro cord”. (Best thing I found was the inventer of Paracord).
…So who came up with the measurement scheme for Micro cord?
Can anyone call and sell something labeled “Micro Cord” even if the diameter is different than either both cords mentioned above?
Great info, however, I am seriously wondering the strength of each strand of 7 cord paracord.
its all math. and if you are good at it. you realize 550 cord is 4 mm diameter all nylon and nylon micro cord is 1.18 mm. they are using micrometer calipers to get the width a of whatever cord they wish. the price schedule for different diameters and or names of cord is off. way. marketing tool. I can tell you who has the best price on the best 550 paracord in this country. james fawcett para cord on Facebook. i use 30 000 feet of it a day. so yes I am an Authority. and I only use 100percent nylon no matter what type you are looking for.
Spelling/grammar usage police here. Haha. I always thought it was “bear in mind” rather than “bare in mind”. Anyways, great article, and I learned a bunch about Paracord I never realized I was missing.
It is ‘bear’ as in ‘to bear’ not ‘to get naked’
So what I’m hearing is that I should buy the cheapest of chinese type 1 paracord in the prettiest color I can find…
……for my hanging planters project.
In the same satire spirit as your post~ My Grandma had hanging planters and every time I touched them they would shed plastic fuzz. So a quick google search of cord and rope sun resistance tells me polyester cord is my best bet. However, search polyester cord macramé on Amazon and aside from the 1mm curtain pulls everything was coated in wax or a cotton mix. Cotton doesn’t have great sun resistance and would love to mildew/mold on me, weird how I don’t want cotton and don’t care if its natural and unbleached.
The single offering I did find is comparable in price to paracord anyway, so out of any leftovers I might as well get something useful to stuff in my hiking kit. Or a nice keychain for assuaging that paranoia that happens after watching tv survival stories.
So thanks, for helping me not hilariously overengineer my planters.
You’re welcome haha! The issue I find with paracord, especially when bought from amazon etc. is that the standard in terms of strength etc. seems to be more of a guesstimate rather than regulated definition. I have bought a crapton of paracord from U.S & CN suppliers and have found so much variance for “550” paracord that I am now completely jaded.
How about para cord for a home gym? I haven’t bought it yet, but looking for info from the experts. I am wondering if the friction with pulleys they are dependable I will be using resistance bands, no weights. Give us your advice or the best alternative. Thank you
Theoretically, if was to braid 4 550 paracord together what would be the static load limit ?
I would guess 2000 or a bit under. Hard to say to be honest because 550 paracord varies in feel and quality and I would imagine variance is high between different brands.
Any feedback on visually differentiating 550 from 750? Just realized I have both stored together.
I use paracord for dog tie out, I like the strength and flexibility in a small size. The one thing I’ve noticed though is that it shrinks when the temperature goes up. That seems odd to me.
Can you quantify “very, very slowly” as it relates to the deterioration due to UV?
Some background: I have some reels of Lehigh 550 paracord.
I need to put up a temporary TV antenna as my main antenna has kerflutzed, and it is a major pain to raise and lower — I want to test some replacement possibilities before actually putting one on the main mast. I plan to use the paracord for the guys.
Worst case, I suppose I might use the temporary mast for up to a year, and I’m not really worried about paracord for that duration, but when should I start to worry.
(For normal guy use, I use some kind of special rope — it is black, I think it is Dacron, and sold for the purpose, and is not too expensive ($0.10 ft. in 500 ft reels), but I didn’t want to use it for the temporary mast. Aside: they do claim the life of this stuff is 10 years, so I plan to thoroughly inspect and possibly replace it around the 9 year mark (although I make more frequent inspections of the portions near ground level).)
I have had paracord used outside for 5 years and its still going strong. I have no real scientific answer but my gut feeling is 5 years will be a safe period (and possibly longer).
I recently purchased 100′ of 550 paracord from Princess Auto in Toronto. It is manufactured by Illinois Industrial Tool. It is made in China. I will be weaving this cord into a camera strap. Now I just noticed a warning at the bottom of the label that states: “This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Please wash your hands after handling”. Now I am thinking twice about wearing this stuff holding a camera around my neck. What is your take?
Never heard of paracord having chemicals that cause cancer…perhaps overzealous labelling? Or carcinogenic if ingested?
Very strange.
California has an idiotic law requiring the cancer warning label on any product sold in the state any part of which has a chemical on the state’s no-no list. This list is so long that virtually no product can escape the requirement. The result is that manufacturers put the label on everything intended to be marketed in California. The label is meaningless and is ignored by everyone.
Thanks — 5 years should be sufficient ;-)
THANK YOU!
Is this a trustworthy brand it says ths tinsel strength is 850 pounds
Never heard of it but apparently USA made so it should be legit? Sorry I can’t provide a better response.
Thanks for the breakdown – I’ve gotten in the habit of taking paracord anytime I go backpacking, and I’ve had to use it more times than I expected, so it’s always good to have. I also hammock camp when I can, so having some extra cord around comes in handy for setting up in bad weather, etc.
Yeah, paracord is one of those things were you never think you will need it…until you do. hah.
Hi, i recently bought a supposedly Type V 1100lb para cord, it is fairly thicker and has 9 lines with 3 strains. Have you heard of a stronger type than type IV? Is this possible?
Personally no, but what are you using paracord for that type IV is not good enough? :O
Great tutorial!
I load wood into the bed of my pickup. I then travel about 15 miles on well-paved county roads. Would the 550 type III be my best choice?
Also, would you be comfortable recommending where I make my purchase? Ratchet straps do the job, but I prefer paracord, using a bowline or backhand hitch for one anchor, and a trucker’s hitch for the other.
Many thanks.
I can’t make any promises as friction + load will impact the variables but I would get 25ft of USA made paracord on amazon and give it a shot.
Thank you for the suggestion, and timely reply.
Thank you for the information. I feel more confident buying materials after reading your article and can’t wait to get started with my new hobby. Thank you again.
You’re welcome Ellie!
Can paracord be used as an emergency rope to rescue someone who has fallen/slid down a steep edge (help them climb back up) while hiking? Trying to keep packs light and didn’t know if paracord could be substituted as a “just in case” rope as opposed to static climbing rope. Thanks for your help.
Yes, paracord can handle 550lb of weight but I would double or triple up just in case and have a solid plan with regards to leverage points and knots. Don’t take unnecessary risks when you don’t have to!
Thank you! I appreciate the information and the advice. We never take unnecessary risk but I like to be prepared just in case.
Paracord has strong static strength but it is not a climbing rope! There are a lot of variables. It is more like multipurpose cord which can be used for small tasks as attaching tent, hanging backpack, shelter making, inner cords for emergency sewing and fishing etc etc. But medical use as tourniquet and climbing is not recommended. Climbing ropes are strong, friction resistant and much bigger diameter. All danger uses are only IF you do not have any other alternative and in it is emergency situation.
Excellent article! I used to mountain climb and wondered why everyone was so hyped on getting paracord.. I like webbing for some things and most of my uses for paracord do not require the 550lb capacity. I was very interested in the Chinese paracord that was labelled 1/8″ and had 100lb capacity. When I cut it open was a poly blend, Could not tell if there were cords in the 2 inches I slid the sheath back! Still will use for holding tarps and antennae but guess would not trust to use for a parachute!!
Thanks for the feedback Al, definitely don’t gamble with your life with unknown Chinese paracord!
hello thomas what about cobra paracord? you know it its good or its trush
Never heard of it, could you send me a link?
Thank you for this informative article! I’d been wondering what the hype is about. Now I know how to differentiate a quality para cord. I appreciate it!
You’re welcome mate!
Hi there, thanks for the informative article. I am buying alot of cord for bullwhips and will be removing the inner stands and just useing the braided sleeve. You stated that sometimes the cheaper stuff is nylon on the outside and polyester on the inside. This could work well for me but as far as you know, are there differences in the outer sleeve if they are both nylon. Cheers
As far as I know, it should be similar stuff for the outer sleeve. The American made Paracord is manufactured to tighter tolerances with superior quality control. This is inherently why it is considered superior but sadly is also why its significantly more expensive.
Let us know how it works out!
Does paradox work for making a air gun bore snake? And what size and type would you need for a .177 cal.?
Way out of my comfort zone to answer- hopefully someone chimes in with a solid response.
Goodevening, nice post thanks. Only one question: i don’t undertand if a genuine US paracord are 2 or 3 inner yarns. In the photo above you say: This is standard U.S.-made paracord (7 strands, 2 inner yarns), in case you’d like a visual reference.
But below you say: First off, as I’ve mentioned, it’s 100% nylon, both for the outer shell and for each inner strand, consisting of 3 100% nylon yarns each.
I bought the paracord that the seller said to be original (bushcraftstore) but it have only two yarns for each inner strand
I’m confused
best regards
I just checked and the bulk of the paracord I possess is 2 strand- all of it U.S.A made and sourced so to be honest I am a smidgen confused myself. If someone knows definitively please chime in! As best as I can tell- 7 strand with 3 inner yarns is the default military spec standard as per MIL-C-5040 from E.L Wood.
Thank you for the great article, Unfortunately there are many companies that sell what they claim is Mil-Spec 550 Paracord but just because their Paracord is US made does not mean the cord meets NSN or PIA certifications (National stock number for the U.S. Military and Parachute Industry Association standards) In fact there are only two true Government contractors in the U.S. for Parachute cord, I happen to live 10 minutes from one of these companies. The two companies are: EL. Wood Braiding and Atwood Rope MFG. Lucky for us we can purchase these two companies Paracord easily on sites like Amazon or even eBay for around $9 to $11 a 100 feet. This is the real deal, very high quality Paracord. The other companies with made in the USA paracord but is NOT real Mil-Spec is Rothco, Paracord Planet, Paracord Galaxy, and Pepperell Braiding Company. These are ok Paracord to use in a pinch. The China made Paracord you completely stay away from for bad quality or even safety reasons is the Paracord you find at Walmart, Jo Ann’s Fabric, Home Depot, Lowes, and other super retailers. This cord is cheap to buy but the quality is beyond poor!
There are a couple other Paracord Companies out there that have MIl-Spec great quality Paracord but just don’t have contracts with the U.S. Goverment that i would defenently use are Titian Paracord and Agilite Gear Paracord. Agilite Paracord is made in Israel and have the their Military’s contract. Both of these can be found online for decent prices.
Hope this helped for anyone wanting know about brand specific Paracord instead of just knowing there is a quality difference like this article states. Once you start using REAL Mil-Spec Paracord you will never use anything else trust me! Pick up a hank of Atwood or EL. Wood Braiding Paracord and hank of Walmart sold Paracord for example and see the difference yourself you will be amazed!
Aye, you are very lucky to have such a close source for high quality para cord. I wouldn’t buy inexpensive para-cord from walmart for serious use but for experimenting with knots/making bracelets for practice etc. I think it has its place. With that said, 11 bucks for a hundred feet is a good price for good quality stuff. Thanks for sharing Aaron!
How do you know the stores you listed don’t source their paracord from EL Wood or Atwood Rope? Food for thought…
Just get the cheap paracord from China (Deal Extreme) does everything you need super strong why pay so much for most applications this is enough
In a life threatening situation, cheap is not the description I seek. Dependable and consistent which can be an issue with mass produced china paracord. Thats not to say that the USA stuff is always perfect but I think the % of catastrophic failure will be significantly reduced thanks to more accountability and superior quality control.
But if you’re happy with the Deal Extreme stuff then by all means keep purchasing it, thanks for dropping by Henry!
good info para cord is like food. You need to buy the best oh can afford and use it for what it’s intended for. I have different grades for different projects. Cheap stuff you watch bands and the good stuff for my M.I.F gear when Tom cruse an myself save the world.my question to you is how much doubling up on 550 line to be safe to suspend from. A tent or hammock up in the trees. If 1 line is good for 550 lbs per inch,3 lines should support a large adult #240+ and a tent off the ground in safely. I was looking at tree tents they want a grand just for some tent with straping. I was thinking of a cargo net made of 550 as a base to mount a tent in the trees to keep it off the ground and ideas?
Howdy Robert! I definitely agree that different grades of paracord have different purposes (in terms of optimal strength required).
Concerning using 550 as a base mount, I think type III or IV would suffice (you can always intertwine paracord to make it stronger). Let me know what you go with!
Thomas, let me know if you’re looking for GENUINE Mil-Spec 550 Paracord. There are only a few places to get the REAL stuff. Also, I made a video showing the differences, here it is…
https://youtu.be/Oa5M-LgaByQ
Neat video- unfortunately I have 2500 feet+ of the stuff laying around- I don’t see myself running out anytime soon!
Robert
For suspending yourself and your gear in that manner, I would prefer using nylon strapping, similar to what is used for securing loads to trailers etc. Even the smaller and lighter (not the 3 or 4-in-wide Trucking Industry stuff!) straps can be found that is rated for 1250-lbs or more. Not as versatile as Para, but it will “free up” several yards of Para that you would otherwise have used in its place
Aye, Nylon strapping is definitely very tough- something to consider & a worthy addition to ones preps!
Well said Thomas…you’ve made it easy to truly understand how to avoid a bad paracord purchase.
I would also add that even more research and caution is necessary for those who want to purchase paracord lanyards, bracelets, slings, bullwhips, etc. etc. directly online.
For example, if you search for paracord bracelets on Amazon you’ll find a lot of options at many price points. You typically get what you pay for. If it’s a cheap paracord bracelet, then odds are the materials that were used were inferrior.
Some of these paracord pre-assembled devices don’t even specify the quality of the paracord at all.
So if you plan to actually use the paracord in a survival situation…I recommend buying high-quality paracord (following this article’s advice) and making the bracelet, lanyard, etc, yourself.
Completely agree, a lot of these online sellers are unscrupulous individuals who are out to make a quick buck & don’t care about the quality of the product they sell.
Definitely due your own diligence & if in doubt assemble/make your own kits & papercord bracelets!
That was an education Thomas. Thank You..
I have reams of the cheap stuff everywhere and it is time to get out the magnifying glass, now that i know what i am looking for…awesome..Keep the good work !
Thanks Dan!
Don’t be too obsessive over the quality of your given paracord- even the cheap(er) stuff has its uses as cordage to practice with!
Do you have a list a reputable places online to buy quality 550 chord?
Honestly I buy pretty much everything off Amazon. Living in Canada my options are pretty limited and Amazon is consistently less expensive as well as reliable (and if I am disappointed, the return policy is excellent).
Sorry but I don’t have the sort of options my American readers have and thus can only recommend what I have tried!
Don’t feel alone my dear neighbor as those of us in Alaska have the same problem. If you shop smart Amazon has consistently shown they will not gouge you on shipping. You just have to look for those ‘free s&h’ if you buy at least $35 of item directly thru them. Makes a big difference to those of us not part of the contiguous states (all touching another state).
Thanks for the article & hope you have a blessed day!
One of God’s frozen chosen
i counted the inner stands and thers 11 …i hope i buy a good parra-cord.
Sounds like great stuff Frank, I wouldn’t worry about it at as its probably some of the highest quality cordage available.
hi thomas ,i bought tough-grid mil-c-5040-h type iv 750lb.test 100%nylon paracord-made in the u.s.a. …100ft camo green …is this good ?