Is Paracord Expensive? Examining the Cost Factors and Affordability
Paracord is considered to be one of the most versatile items for survival kit checklists. What was once a favorite reserve for survival communities and ex-military personnel, paracord has gained momentum among civilians, especially outdoorsmen, mountain climbers, hikers, survivalists, and all kinds of adventurers. It is no surprise that different types of paracord show up in every survival kit. The word “paracord” came from parachute cord and has become an undisputed must-have item in every checklist, from EDC emergencies to wilderness survival kits. There are many types of paracords in the market today ranging from heavy-duty Type IV 750-pound paracords to recreational 95-pound Type I paracords. So which one will be your perfect fit? Whether you are looking for the most expensive type IV paracord for your next outdoor adventure or looking to find out cheap bulk paracord for hanging your shoes and random materials, let us look at a few aspects of this popular survival kit staple.
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What is Paracord?
Originally designed for suspending lines in parachutes, paracord is a shortened name for parachute cord. It is made up of nylon and is known for its unparalleled flexibility, versatility, and legendary strength-to-weight ratio. It was initially popular for military uses, but now it is equally popular among civilians for both daily and adventure uses. It is not a regular polyester or nylon rope, even though sometimes unethical sellers try to dupe unsuspecting buyers. A real paracord will have a varying number of interwoven nylon strands protected by a braided exterior. The core of the paracord can handle a lot of stress, and the exterior protects it from wear and tear. If you are going to use a paracord for survival purposes, it is more important to understand its legitimacy, as common braided cordage will not have the same versatility and may cause life-threatening damages.
Is Paracord Expensive?
There is no concrete answer to this as the market has a wide range of paracords. The cost of paracords can largely vary from commercial 550 cords that are easily available for around $0.07-0.10/foot to Type IV paracords which are known to be the best type of paracord and can cost up to anything from $6.49-34.99/foot.
Popular Types of Paracord:
- Type I: Designed to hold 95 lbs, the Type I paracord is a fairly cheap cord, both quality and cost-wise, that contains only one inner strand. It is generally used for decorative purposes, dummy cording, lacing, and other light-duty tasks.
- Type II: Known for having 4 to 7 core strands, it can hold up to 400 lbs. It is not easily available, and you can only find it in a few online stores.
- Type III: The most popular one, Type III paracords, are known for being able to hold up to 550 lbs and have around 7 to 9 core strands. It can meet you in the middle of the road when it comes to quality and strength. Also, it is known for its vast popularity for survival applications and affordability.
- Type IV: Rated for 750 lbs, Type IV paracords are very strong and significantly more expensive than their type III alternative. It has 11 core strands that can offer extra quality and strength.
What is a Military Spec Paracord?
There is another type of paracord which is known as military specification paracord or mil-spec paracord. It is built in line with military heavy-duty uses and specifications. A real mil-spec paracord will have a good quality nylon outer layer, and the inner layer will feature 7 to 9 strands, each of which should consist of 3 yarns. The manufacturing process needs to adhere to strict military-level guidelines. However, you can easily tell the difference between a commercial grade and a mil-spec paracord while looking at four factors- inner, inside, twisted, and colored ID marker strands.
In recent years, paracord has become one of the most versatile and practical items for hikers, campers, bush crafters, and all kinds of outdoorsy adventurers. There are plenty of types and brands of paracords to choose from depending on your use and budget. Moreover, there are budget options, best options, and upgrade options that can give you everything from heavy-duty survival kit must-have Type IV 750-pound paracord to recreational and versatile Type I 95-pound paracord to the popular Type III paracord. Always be careful in choosing your paracord, especially for your trips to the outdoors, and go for something that you can trust. To get started, you can check for the inner cords (should typically have 7 to 10 inner cords) and have at least three strands per cord which are intertwined and twisted to form the cord. You can also read various online resources to find what you are looking for.