How to choose paracord

How to choose paracord and explanation of basic specifications and types.

overview

We explain how to choose paracord suitable for use in camping scenes from basic specifications.
Paracord is used for things like climbing, so there are many types, but find the best one so you don't go overboard.

Structure and basic specifications

Paracord has a structure called a "braided rope" in which multiple small ropes are tied together and covered with an outer skin, and not only paracord but most ropes used in outdoor scenes have this "braided rope" structure. I am.
*For natural materials, there is also a pattern in which multiple small ropes are woven into one and covered with an outer skin.

This braided rope is easy to handle, less likely to kink (kink/kink), and has a high elongation rate for shock absorption. Excellent.

Currently, many types of paracord are made depending on the scene, such as material, number of cores, thickness, etc., but the general specifications for parachute cord are It is as follows.

• Material: Nylon
• Core: 7 cores
• Thickness: 4mm
• Load capacity: 250kg

Number of cores

The number of cores is often around 5, 7, and 9.
If there are more, the strength will increase, and if there are fewer, the strength will decrease, but no matter which camping scene you choose, there is no noticeable difference.

Contains It contains a wick that can be used for tinder etc. are also sold, but they are not very practical, so regular paracord is fine.
I have never compared them, but I have heard that 9-core wires are sometimes a little thicker than 7-core wires even if they are the same thickness.

Thickness

The thickness is generally 2 to 9 mm in 1 mm increments.
The strength will vary depending on the thickness, but as a general rule, choose one according to the purpose.

Thickness of 3mm or 4mm is often used for camping.
Basically, paracords that are thicker than 4mm have the disadvantage that rainwater can run down the paracord and enter the hammock or tarp, and thinner ones such as 2mm are difficult to untie.

Material

Basically, they are made of strong nylon, but there are now products made of various materials on the market.

Polypropylene paracord is cheap and resistant to water, but , has low strength and is sensitive to ultraviolet rays.
Polyester paracord has strong characteristics.

If you just look at the description, you might think that nylon is weak against water, but it is not a disadvantage that is worth mentioning in the camping scene.

How to choose

Basically, anything with the basic specs listed above is fine, but here are some things to keep in mind.

Thickness

The base is 3mm, which can be used for general purposes, but 4mm is also fine for large family-type tents and tarps.
Please note that anything over 6mm is too thick and may not be usable in some situations.

If you exclude causes such as knives and bonfires, it is rare to hear that paracord breaks during normal use in camping situations, so if it is 3 mm or more, it is thin and will break. Don't worry.

Material

Nylon is fine for camping, but cheap ones are secretly made of polypropylene, so just make sure they are made of nylon.

Colors and patterns

If the site is used by a family or where there are no divisions between sites, choose a color that stands out, such as red, or reflective paracord.
It's fine if you fall and get hurt, but be careful as sharp stones or branches can pierce you, or you can overturn a bonfire or tent, causing a fire.

Choosing natural colors such as brown or dark green will look great, but be sure to use them in places where there are few people or where you don't have to worry about someone falling over.

Length

It's not expensive, so you can buy it in units of several tens of meters, but if you want to buy less because your taste changes or to match the tent, you can buy it in units of 2 to 3 meters each. Let's calculate this by adding 2 to 3 meters as a reserve.

When using it in a hammock, it is convenient to have two 4-meter rods in case of emergencies.