13 Amazing Ways You Can Use Paracord

Paracord has really exploded in popularity in recent years, mainly as a fashion trend.

But apart from making you look outdoorsy, a good length of paracord can be useful for a huge number of situations and tasks you might find yourself dealing with while out in the Great Outdoors!

Let’s take a look, shall we?

Replace your shoe laces

One moment you’re happily hiking on the trail, the next your shoe lace is broken and your boot is loose. Now what?

If you didn’t carry any spare laces you’re in trouble.

If, on the other hand, you brought some paracord, good job! Pull the old laces out and replace them with the much tougher paracord.

Replace your tent guy-lines

Guy-lines are essential for keeping your tent secured in place, and in some cases even upright. 

Losing a guy-line or breaking one can be a real problem, but with some paracord you can just replace it and sleep easy! 

Tie extra gear to your backpack

If your backpack is full or you wish to free up some space, use paracord to tie any extra items you need to the outside!

You can also do the same for items that you want to have easy access to, such as a knife or a water bottle. Just make sure you tie them down properly so you don’t loose them on the way. 

Make a washing line

If you want to spend some time in the wilderness and wish to set up a camp, a length of paracord can easily function as a washing line.

Simply choose a spot between two trees and tie one knot around each.

I would recommend either not charging the line too much or putting some padding under the rope, like a t-shirt, otherwise it might start cutting into the tree, leaving a nasty mark. 

Wrap a tool handle

Paracord is water resistant and has a rough and grippy texture, so it’s perfect for wrapping the handle of tools such as knives and axes! 

Build a shelter

If you get stuck in the wild, you might have to build a shelter to stay warm during the night and to keep away the rain.

Paracord is great for building shelters because it is so tough and water resistant.

Gather some large branches and foliage, then tie it all up to create a make-shift shelter!

Create trip wires

When I say trip wires, I don’t mean “à la Rambo”, with deadly spikes and what not. 

A less dangerous trap would be to use the thin inner strands to set a tripwire connected to cans, bottles or other noisy materials.

This would warn you and give you time to react to any intruder coming into your camp, be it human or animal.

Fishing line

The inner strands can easily be used as a makeshift fishing line! 

All you need is a stick and something to function as a hook.

If you let some of the strands hang around the hook it will help to conceal it and make it more effective.

Make a fire

The inner strands are a little flammable, so a section can be used as a last resort fire starter! 

There is a type of paracord, called 550 paracord, that is intended specifically for this purpose. You can also use paracord as part of a bowdrill system, although this does require a little bit of practice.

Build a raft

Either in a survival situation or for fun, you can tie together some large branches and make a raft! 

Be sure to brush up on knot making, just so the raft doesn’t come apart in the water.

First Aid

In extreme survival situations, you can use the inner strands as suture thread to stitch up open wounds. This can buy you enough time to get help.

Remember that this is only for extreme emergencies and that you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Another use is as a tourniquet to stop bleeding. Be sure to put some padding under to rope or you risk cutting off the blood circulation entirely, which will do more harm than good.

Finally, you can use paracord as a sling or splint is case of broken bones.

Hunting Traps

If you find yourself out of food in a survival situation, there are a large number of hunting traps than can be made with paracord, especially with the inner strands.

Snares and deadfalls are very easy to make, and could save your life in an extreme scenario.

Look fashionable

Finally, you can simply use paracord to look fashionable as heck. 

There are countless colours and knots to make and try, so get yourself a few meters and start practicing! You can turn them into bracelets, necklaces, wristbands, belts… the list goes on and on.

All of these accessories can also be later unraveled and used for any of the tasks we’ve talked about before, so carrying paracord on you as an accessory is a good way to always have it available!

And there you have, 13 ways to use paracord on you adventures!

It is simple to use and cheap to buy. It will make your outdoor trips more practical, your gear more durable or it could potentially save your life if something goes terribly wrong.

The possibilities are endless, and on top of that it’s fun to play with and super practical for DIY crafts!

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚 ?

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 !

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