Paracord is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope initially designed for parachute suspension lines. Although the paracord is not used for parachuting anymore, it has a wide variety of military, commercial, and recreational uses.
Want to learn more about the many uses of a paracord? Let’s dive right in.
What is Paracord?
Paracord is a lightweight nylon cord initially used as a parachute cord. The braided rope usually consists of 32 inner strands, providing a relatively smooth texture. The cord’s all-nylon quality also makes the inner and outer sheath elastic.
This parachute cord was popularized during World War II and has since evolved into other applications. Whether you’re a survival nut, a crafting expert, or a fashion creator looking for new material to work with, this braided rope might just be your next best friend.
The Best Uses For Paracord
The paracord is known for its incredible tensile strength and flexibility, making it an extremely viable product in heavy-duty applications.
Here are some of the best alternative uses for this versatile braided rope:
#1 Replacing Your Shoelaces
Breaking your shoelaces may not count as an emergency, but when you’re out in the wilderness, it’s very much a cause of concern.
Loose footwear and rugged terrain do not mix, and broken shoe laces may cause you to lose precious time.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, simply replace your shoelaces with cords. Most paracord types are made with military specifications, so you can rest assured that they won’t break anytime soon.
#2 Tying Extra Items to Your Backpack
Many outdoor enthusiasts often find themselves running out of backpack space. If this is a common problem for you, use a paracord to tie additional gear to your backpack.
You can also use this trick to tie down items you need easy access to, such as a hunting knife or water bottle.
Don’t worry about dropping anything, too–a paracord, specifically the 550 paracord, has a solid core that won’t break or loosen as long as you tie it properly.
#3 Creating A Washing Line
If you’re an on-the-go hiker like me, putting up a washing line is probably one of your least favorite parts of camping. Luckily, this tedious yet essential task can be simple.
Thanks to its tensile strength, a mil-spec paracord can hold a significant weight of laundry and other items you want to keep off the ground. All you need are basic knot skills, a couple of trees, and your trusty parachute cord.
Aside from having a space to dry your clothes, you can also hide food above ground to prevent bears and other animals from snooping around your camp.
#4 Making an Emergency Tourniquet
When you cut yourself on something in the woods, the worst thing that can happen is continuous bleeding. The second worst thing is your wound getting infected.
First, you must stop the bleeding by blocking the blood flow to the injury.
You can turn just about anything into a tourniquet, such as a piece of fabric or your shoelaces, but a braided rope can help stop the bleeding much more effectively. Even if you don’t have a proper tourniquet, a paracord is the next best thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVBJ-9fNAxM
#5 Replacing Your Tent Guy Lines
Guy lines are what keep your tent stable and in position. When tied correctly, these ropes keep your tent taut and more resistant to rain and wind. Thus, if you lose a guy line or break one, you could be in big trouble if a storm rolls in.
You can use a wide range of ropes and nylon cords for replacement guy lines, but why not go for mil-spec ones?
Always keep spare pieces of braided rope in your pack, so you’re always prepared for the worst.
#6 Hanging Game From Your Pack
You’ve just finished hunting and managed to nab yourself some small game, but then you realize you don’t have anything to bring it back to your car. Do you carry it with your bare hands? You could, but it’s nicer (and more sanitary) to have your hands free.
If you have a paracord in your hunting pack, you can fashion a game hanger to carry rabbits, squirrels, fowl, and other small animals. No fancy equipment is needed–just some intermediate knotting skills.
#7 Building a MakeShift Shelter
When you don’t have a tent and have to spend overnight in the wild, all you need is an industrial-strength parachute cord and some foliage.
Parachute ropes are ideal for building outdoor shelters since their strands are extra solid and water-resistant.
The construction of an emergency shelter with braided rope is relatively simple. Collect large branches and foliage, then use your nylon braided rope to tie it all together and build a makeshift shelter. You can also use fabrics, tarps, and other things you have on hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjVqhIrABN8
#8 Setting Up Paracord Traps
Here’s something for more experienced outdoor enthusiasts–building traps with paracord. Setting up traps can be a vital backup plan for survival, giving you time to focus on other tasks. With a strong nylon braided rope, you can create snare and noose triggers to catch small games.
However, I recommend removing the inner twine strands for smaller trap parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKJHxORY7Tw
#9 Sparking a Fire
The inner strands in a paracord twine are somewhat flammable, which means you can use a small section of the core to start a fire in an emergency. In fact, a fire paracord is specifically designed for this purpose. You just have to remove the inner core strands, construct your fire, and use the strands as tinder.
But what if you don’t have matches or lighters? Fortunately, you can use a paracord to create a bow drill system. Although primitive, this fire-starting method can save you in a pinch.
#10 Stitching Up Wounds
Aside from being a tourniquet alternative, you can also use a nylon paracord to create stitches in an emergency. The strands in the inner core of a paracord are thin enough to serve as suture string for first aid.
However, using a braided rope for first aid is only for extreme emergencies. Contact emergency services as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding out.
#11 Crafting a Make-Shift Weapon
You can use a high-quality parachute cord to craft a makeshift weapon, such as a bola or bow. A bola is an impact weapon that is typically used for hunting small animals.
You can create one by tying three pieces of paracord rope together and attaching weights (e.g., rocks) to the ends. You can use this weapon to defend yourself from animals or hunt large birds like geese.
The braided rope in a 550 paracord can also make a great bowstring. If you need a survival weapon, fashion yourself a bow with a good-quality paracord and a dry hardwood stave. Paracord is strong but flexible enough to pull back and propel arrows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcPBagJWwBs
#12 Catching Fish
Create a makeshift fishing lure with braided rope, a sharp hook, and stink bait for some good old-fashioned fishing.
I recommend using one of the strands in a paracord core in murky water to increase your chances of catching your elusive dinner.
If you’re in an area where hunting is not an option, this tip can be a lifesaver (literally!).
#13 Wrapping Tool Handles
The outer sheath of a 550 paracord can provide extra grip for your knives, axes, and other tools. To use this trick, wrap your braided rope around the handle, tie the knot as tightly as possible, and test the grip before using your tool.
#14 Protecting Your Camp With Trip Wires
Setting up tripwires around your camp can protect you from animal (and human) intruders, especially if you’re alone.
A lightweight paracord is the best rope to set up wires around your territory. Once you wrap the perimeter of your camp with rope, hang empty cans, glass bottles, and other noisy items on the cord.
If something sets off the rope, you have enough time to react to the potential danger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOqEUj2hBj8
#15 Cutting Through Zip Ties
Parachute cords are great replacement shoelaces, but they can do more than keep your footwear together. Whether you’re kidnapped or attempting to open a zip-tied container with no scissors, this paracord survival tip is one for the books.
550 paracord is made of robust, textured twine that can weaken plastic if you apply enough friction. If you have to cut through zip ties, work a paracord perpendicularly across the plastic until it breaks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLexCerf_lE
Tips on How to Find The Best Paracord
Not all ropes are made equal. If you want the best-quality paracord for all your outdoor adventures, remember these tips:
Find a Top-Rated Paracord Manufacturer
When choosing a paracord brand, find one with great reviews from customers, a wide variety of products, worldwide shipping, and impressive rope strength test results.
Prioritize Great Customer Service
A paracord manufacturer should put its customers first. Take the time to look for a manufacturer with great response rates to emails, fills out orders on time, and prioritizes customer services.
Don’t Skimp on Your Cord
When looking for the best rope manufacturer, I recommend setting a reasonable budget for your paracord. While these lightweight cords may be good-quality by nature, every commercial rope manufacturer has its own pros and cons. Find a high-quality cord with military specs to enjoy its full potential.
For more information, you can refer to this article: Where to Find a Paracord Manufacturer?
Conclusion
The Paracord is an Essential Multipurpose Tool For Hikers, Survivalists, and More
As you can see, the paracord has many practical applications, especially for us outdoor enthusiasts. So, if you want to maximize the full potential of your cord, try these tips the next time you set out into the wilderness.
