Paracord 550 (short for parachute cord) is a marvelous cordage material made from nylon, with an inner core of fine nylon strands and outer sheath, also of braided nylon. All-nylon construction gives paracord a bit of stretch, and the fine weave of the outer jacket gives it good lubricity.

Paracord 550, so named because it has a breaking strength rated at 550 pounds, is good for a whole lot more than parachute cord, and is found in the bug out bags and survival stashes of people around the world. Perhaps this is because it is so versatile - as attested by the 30+ uses for paracord noted here.

Unique Uses for Paracord 550

Take a look through some of these niche uses for paracord 550 and see if you can add some into your repertoire.

1. Improv bootlaces

Snapped or frayed bootlaces can be a bear in the backcountry, but not if you have some paracord 550 on hand. It’s the perfect size for fitting through most boot eyelets and cinches down on itself beautifully.

2. Rig a bow

Not that making and tillering a selfbow is an easy task, but often the hardest part of making one is coming up with cordage of appropriate strength. In a survival scenario, a bit of pcord will work in a pinch.

3. Improve zipper access

You can make basic zipper pulls from pcord 550 that will improve ergonomics and ease of access.

4. Weave a belt

A basic diamond weave can yield a flat belt that can be used to keep your pants tight in a pinch. You can also use a flat woven bit of paracord 550 as a gun sling (see below).

5. Weave a survival paracord bracelet

Weaving a paracord bracelet is not so much about fashion as it is about having a bit of paracord on hand.

6. Dry your clothes

Air flow is the key to drying clothes after you’ve washed them, which is a luxury in the backcountry, anyway. No worries - if you have no electricity it’s no problem, just rig a clothesline with some paracord.

7. Wrap a knife handle

Learn a basic whipping knot and you can wrap the handle of your knife in a snap, improving grip and rounding any sharp angles. This is great for knives with skeletonized tangs like ESEE knives such as the Izula and Candiru. It’s not so great for a folding utility knife, though. This method is also good for other tools like flashlights and axe handles.

8. Catch fish

Tease out the white inner fibers of paracord and you can use some of these finer strands as fishing line. It can be surprisingly effective.

9. Make a fire (with a bow drill)

You can use paracord as the string for a bow drill to help you make a fire.

10. Lighter wrap

Wrap your lighter to improve retention, access, grip, and to keep a little stash of paracord close at hand.

11. Dental floss

Coax out some of the inner fibers till you have a strand thin enough to fit between your teeth and you can keep your teeth cleaner in the field.

12. Lash camp furniture or tripods

Paracord can be used to create stools, chairs, tables, tripods, and basic frame structures using square lashing and other basic lashes.

13. Protect your food from bears

Out in the woods with no way to keep your food from pests like bears? Use some paracord to hang a bear bag.

14. Improv guylines

Does your tent need a little help staying taut, but you’ve lost a guyline or one is damaged? Use paracord instead.

15. Start your engine

Damaged pull cords can leave you dead in the water. Not if you use a bit of pcord in its place though.

16. Flexible measuring tape

Use a length of paracord to measure the circumference of something and mark it, then lay it out flat along a measuring tape - there’s your measurement.

17. Improvise a strap wrench

Tie a length of paracord 550 around a sturdy handle, wrap the tag end several revolutions around what you need to loosen, and pull. It often works.

18. Hang onto your hat (or sunglasses)

No strap for your hat or sunglasses? No worries - you can fashion one from paracord and use that instead.

19. Makeshift trellis

A basic, open diamond weave with paracord works in lieu of a trellis and gives plants a place to climb.

20. Weave a hammock

If you have a few hours on your hands (and no shortage of paracord) you can weave a hammock.

21. Moor a boat 

Dock line damaged or missing? Use a bit of paracord instead. The extra stretch makes it ideal as a dock line, as most are made of nylon to begin with.

22. Drag a deer

Tie two ends of paracord around a stout stick so that some length hangs between them, then use that as a deer drag.

23. Rig a tourniquet

Tie two ends of paracord around a stick or bar, and that can be used as a tourniquet to stop bleeding in an emergency.

24. Improvise a gun sling

Weave a flat section and lash that to your gun’s sling swivels and you’re good to go.

25. Fix your boat’s rigging

Issue with the rigging? You can fix it with paracord.

26. Rig a stringer

Carrying your catch isn’t easy if you don’t have a stringer but you can make one with paracord, and the great thing about a stringer is with one you can keep fish in the water so they stay alive, and therefore fresh, longer.

27. Carry firewood

Bundling paracord around firewood isn’t the most exact method, but it’s better than trying to wrap all your arms around it.

28. Makeshift call lanyard

Tie a few dropper loops in a paracord lanyard and you can use that to store your duck and other waterfowl calls.

29. Lash a spear

If you have a spearhead and a good shaft, you can lash the head and make a functioning spear.

30. Mark a trail

Some paracord 550 is made in bright colors like blaze orange or comes with a reflective finish. If so you can use it to mark a trail so you don’t get lost.

31. Fix your clothes

It won’t look pretty, but in a pinch you can use the inner threads from paracord to stitch up tears in clothing.

32. Weave a net

This is yet another use for the inner strands of paracord. You can weave these together to make a net for catching bait or food.

33. Make an overstrike guard

Got an axe or a tomahawk, but no leather to make an overstrike collar? Simply wrap some paracord around the haft just under the bit. Not as good as leather but better than nothing.

Stock Up on Paracord Here

Whether you’re here for some paracord or you need a new folding utility knife, we can help you out. Check out both via the previous links and if you have any questions, get in touch with us at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com.