Load rating for "parachute cord"??

[The Adam Blaster]

I have seen this rope/cord on several websites, and I like the idea of it because it is fairly thin and light.
However, is it strong?
What are they generally rated for interms of operating load and breaking load?
And how thick are the cords?

And any good sources for it other than the local army/navy surplus store that in my case tends to have nothing good...

 

[DaveM]

The stuff I know of as "para cord" is very strong and makes a great rope to have in your camp kit. Most of the stuff I see is rated at 440lbs (which is where it gets its other name "440 cord").

 

[Darton]

All the military cord called 550 cord is housed by an outer sheath and is made up of seven smaller strands twisted together inside. All seven can be seen by pulling back the sheath. Furthermore each indiviual strand can be removed and used on it's own. Together with the sheath there is a 550lb weight rating. People have used it for just about everything. There are other types out there so becareful what you buy. Some only has 5 or 6 inner strands which has a much lighter weight rating. There is some that has an inner make-up of what looks like hundreds of little bity threads on the inside. It's junk, do not use it. It's usually found at any big box store.
Here is some really good info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/550_cord

 

[UK4X4]

Para cord - excellent stuff- only issue is, not all of it is the same quality / breaking strain.

Its designed like a lifting strap, with the inner threads taking the load and the outer sheath is just protection.

For sky diving etc it comes in many diferent strengths depending on its usage.

The stuff in most shops probably won't have a "load rating" as such, but will suffice for most camp cord jobs.

Cut and then heat seal the ends or the inner usually leaves the sheath

I carry a roll all the time in my truck-

Dog leash
Tie downs
guy ropes
laces
handle grips
Hair bands ( the wife)
Zipper pull extensions

You can plat it into stronger thicker lengths

The uses are endless

In the UK military shops it was usually 250kg I seem to remember

 

[DaveM]

All the military cord called 550 cord http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/550_cord

oops, i meant 550 not 440 in my earlier post!

 

[The Adam Blaster]

oops, i meant 550 not 440 in my earlier post!

Maybe you bought the cheaper stuff? lol

I think this stuff is available in a roll, and I would like that the best, leave it in my garage and just cut off lengths that I want to use. Or pack it in al my camping gear.
I'm mostly looking for some lengths (100' or so) to add to my ditch bag.

 

[Darton]

If you google "parachute cord" you'll find some sites to buy it in large quantity rolls.

 

[ZooJunkie]

There is a range of paracord rating...

200lbs to 550lbs if I recall correctly.

They are generally about 3/16inch in diameter if not smaller and dynamic. Dynamic, means it'll stretch when under load.

I use a lot of the 200lbs stuff and it's fantastic! Cheap to buy and great emergency rope when you need it.

 

[StumpXJ]

I can buy the good stuff here on the military base cheap. I think I paid under 3 bucks for a 50 foot section the other day for my bug out bag.

If anyone wants any, let me know.

The base I work on has a KILLER supply store. Good quality stuff, anything you can think of.

~James

 

[Bighead]

It used to be that 550 cord and LAPES tape (duct tape) could fix or make almost anything. You can come up with some intersting creations on long deployments.

I've heard good things about this place for buying 550 cord...Paracord

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I'm mostly looking for 100' for my ditch bag, so I'm happy to see that the cords come in nice bright colours.
I will likely buy a couple of spools and have lots to use around the house for various projects.