Top Sellers

This month, our top seller has been paracord. Also known as 550 cord or 550 Paracord, it is parachute cord used by the military. Paracord is strong, lightweight, and a must for your survival bag or kit. I rate this as one of your top essentials because 550 paracord is so versatile and can be put to an incredible variety of uses.

Whether you are using it for braiding, paracord bracelets of simply setting up a tarp or tent, no survival kit would be complete without a long handful of 550 paracord. This strong cordage is hands down the survival expert's friend. Military grade 550 paracord is a rope known as Mil-C-5040 Type 3. Also known as kernmantle rope, it is a rope that is made with its interior core (the kern) protected by a woven exterior sheath (the mantle). It is designed to optimize tensile strength, durability and flexibility. It is made of nylon so that is dries quickly and is mildew resistant. It is 1/8 inch in diameter and is rated to not break until you exceed 550 lbs.

Beware cheap parachute cord knockoffs. Authentic parachute cord has a tensile strength of 550 pounds. Many sites claim the number of strands in 550 paracord is 7. If you look closely though, you'll notice there are actually 14. The inner strands are twisted in two to form the traditional y inner strands that make up the kern of the 550 cord. While the entire cord is rated at 550 pounds, the "guts" of the cord are also rated individually as follows:

• The outer sheath is rated at about 300-pounds
• The 14 inner strings each have a rating of about 17.5 pounds
• The 7 strands made up on two strings each have a rating of 35 pounds.

So, now that you know the basics of paracord, you are naturally asking, "What can I do with paracord?". There are many reasons to carry this cord in your survival bag. You can remove the individual strands of 550 paracord use them for different applications and a wide variety of survival uses. As a general purpose utility cord paracord can be used for:

• Tarp ridge lines
• Securing your gear
• An extra pair of boot laces
• When you are deep woods camping, use it to hang your food up in a tree and out of reach of bears.
• Use it as a tie down for your truck or vehicle.
• Fixing broken equipment such as backpacks or gear bags
• Use it with a hand made fire bow
• 550 cord is often used by fishermen for long line fishing
• Individual strands can be used as fishing line
• Paracord String for a Bow and arrow
• Shelter
• Woven into a fishing net or toss net for fishing
• Making snares for animals
• A clothes line to hang your gear on to dry and air out
• Key chain lanyard
• Anchor line for your boat
• Twine
• Securing splints
• Animal restraint, aka a dog leash
• Use as a tourniquet
• Paracord braiding for bracelets or other uses

Our 550 paracord comes in all kinds of colors and and lengths. We offer precut lengths of 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1200 feet.

Paracord braiding is a craft where paracord is braided into decorative items of often functional value to outdoors enthusiasts. Paracord bracelets and lanyards made of paracord are very popular today.