TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 9: Cody Sorensen of the Canadian Olympic Bobsleigh team shows off his paracord survival bracelet made by team mate Jesse lumsden as RBC names 47 Canadian Athletes to its Olympic and Paralympic roster in Toronto, October 9, 2013. (David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Those in the military have long known about the incredible utility of parachute cords or paracords. While they were initially just used in parachute suspension lines, they now have many other uses such as securing gear to the body or a vehicle. The thin guts of the paracords can also be used as a fishing line or to sew rips in gear.
Paracords are now a smart addition to any adventurer’s pack. Here are some of the best models currently on the market.
This cord offers incredible convenience in that it comes in wearable bracelet form. Not only does it look cool, it also keeps the tool on your person at all times. Once taken off the bracelet, the user has between 11-13 feet of cord.
The Friendly Swede Trilobite is available in 3 different colors, black, green, and camouflage, though the clasp is always black. The cord could be weakened by the elements, so users are advised to be aware of that.
There are many things to like about the Extremus 550 cord. It comes in a number of color options including orange, green, black white, and desert tan. It allows users to do almost anything as it comes in lengths ranging from 25-100 feet. But most importantly, it is incredibly affordable with prices ranging from $8-$16.
And while the Extremus Type III is among the most affordable paracords on the market, users don’t lose much for the price. While it is lacking some of the more advanced features of survival paracords, the Extremus model does meet the vigorous demands of MIL-C-5040H, the U.S. military’s paracord standard. This is a great option for those seeking maximum value.
Not everybody needs the full brunt of the 550 paracord. And the MSR Ultralight Utility Cord is a great option for those people who are looking for something a little lighter. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of utility in his cord.
While the tensile strength of the cord only stands at 200 pounds, it performs great for smaller jobs. People can use the MSR cord to fish or mount wet gear to their pack. The cord also features reflective properties so that users can be better seen at night.
The size of the MSR cord also makes it light and easy to carry. Many adventurers will use the cord to lace their boots knowing that they’re prepared in case of serious emergency.
The TOUGH Grid paracord is renowned for the number of options it gives customers. The brand offers not 3 or 4, but 17 different color options. There is also a wide range of sizes. Anything under 500 feet long comes in a bag. But sizes of 500 and 1,000 feet are available in a spool.
And while there are many options, the TOUGH GRID cord is also incredibly strong. The product can hold weights up to 550 pounds. The cord is also made to the specifications set forth for qualification by the United States Military. Inside are three braided interior lines that can be pulled out and used for smaller jobs. Best of all is the price. While longer strands are more expensive, the TOUGH GRID cord has such a large number of options that campers can find anything that fits their price range.
One question that any backpacker has to ask themselves is; how much is enough? If those campers don’t care about that question though, and just want the best of the best then the SurvivorCord XT is the answer.
This set far exceeds any other product on the market. While most paracords have 7 internal nylon strands that can be used as fishing lines or sewing threads, the SurvivorCord has 12. And to amp up the survivability, this model also had a waterproof thread that can be used to start a fire.
The strength of the cord is intense, as it has a load rating of over 1,000 pounds. If there is anything that people complain about when it comes to the Survivor cord, it is the lack of color options. As of now, the product only comes in black.
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