Paracord is an invaluable tool for any hiker or camper. It can be used for a wide variety of applications, from tying up food and gear to building shelters. Here are some of the best ways that paracord can be used while out in the wild:
1. To tie up food – Animals such as bears can be attracted by the smell of food, so it’s important to keep all edibles securely stored away in a tree or other elevated location. Paracord makes this easy; simply tie the cord around your food bag and sling it over a branch.
2. As an emergency rope – Paracord is incredibly strong and lightweight, making it the perfect choice for a variety of different applications. Should you get into a sticky situation such as needing to cross a stream or climb up an unfamiliar mountain, paracord is an ideal rope for the job.
3. To secure your tent – If there are no trees or poles available to tie your tent down with, paracord is the ideal solution. Simply wrap some lengths of it around your tent pegs and you’ll be all set for a night in the wilderness.
4. To hang a tarp or groundsheet – For those heading off camping, setting up a tarp or groundsheet to protect against rain or dew is a must. Again, paracord is the perfect solution since it won’t break or stretch and can be easily tied to trees, rocks, pegs, and other surfaces.
5. To hang food – When camping in bear-prone areas, it’s important to keep all of your food stored safely away from wildlife. Paracord makes the perfect food-hanging line since it’s strong enough to hold a heavy load and can be secured high off the ground, away from curious noses.
6. To hang clothes or towels – Whether you’re at base camp or on the trail, having somewhere to dry your wet clothes is a must. Paracord comes in handy here too since it can be easily pulled between two trees or other objects and used to hang clothes while they dry.
7. To repair gear – Whether its broken buckles on your pack, damaged straps on your tent, or frayed laces on your hiking boots, paracord can be used to repair the damage and get you back on the trail. It can also make great emergency repairs for poles, paddles or even broken tools.
8. To build shelter – Everyone knows that paracord is essential for setting up a tent but it’s also useful for constructing other types of shelter such as A-frame shelters, tarps or even hammock hangers.
9. To mark a trail – Whether you’re hiking during the day or night, paracord can be used to clearly mark trails and help you stay on track.
10. As an emergency tourniquet – Paracord is strong enough to act as an impromptu tourniquet if you ever find yourself in an emergency situation or injured while out on the trail.
12. As a makeshift clothesline – If you need to dry out clothing or other items while camping, paracord can be used as a makeshift clothesline in combination with sticks and rocks.
13. To make repairs – Paracord is also incredibly useful for making repairs out on the trail and can come in handy if your gear breaks or needs some attention. It can be used to repair tent poles, straps on backpacks and more.
14. As an emergency shelter – If you’re ever caught in a situation where you need to make an impromptu shelter, paracord can help with that too! Use it to string up a tarp or blanket between two trees for an emergency shelter.
15. As an emergency whistle – If you’re ever in an emergency situation, it can be helpful to have a whistle with you to alert people of your location and get help quickly. Take some paracord and tie two small knots in one end, then blow into the other end. This can be used as an emergency whistle in a pinch.
17. As fire-starters – Paracord is made of nylon, which means it has some flammable properties and can be used as a fire starter in the outdoors. Tie two pieces together or use one long strand to create an “arm” so you can lean it against a piece of wood or other tinder to start a fire.