Being able to rig a shelter, secure a tarp or make a quick field repair is one of the most useful outdoor skills there is — and it depends entirely on having the right cordage and sheeting with you, not on skill alone.
We've picked strong paracord for guy-lines, lashings and general rigging, a lightweight waterproof tarp that pitches into a proper rain shelter in minutes, and bungee cords with clips for the jobs where a quick, tool-free fix beats tying a knot.
550 paracord is an incredibly versatile survival essential — useful for shelter building, gear repair, first aid improvisation, and dozens of other field applications. Lightweight and compact for its strength.
True 550 paracord has a kernmantle construction with 7-9 inner strands enclosed in a braided outer sheath. Cheap imitations often have only 2-3 inner strands or none at all. Check the specification — genuine Type III 550 cord has a minimum tensile strength of 550 lbs (250kg).
Each inner strand should itself be made of multiple twisted fibres. These inner strands are individually useful as fishing line, sewing thread, or dental floss in a survival situation. The more inner strands, the more versatile your cordage supply becomes.
For UK use where your cord may spend days wet, choose nylon paracord that resists mildew and rot. Some premium cords include UV-resistant treatments that prevent the outer sheath from degrading in sunlight. Avoid cotton or polyester imitations.
When you cut paracord, the ends will fray rapidly unless you melt them with a flame. Always seal cut ends immediately — this prevents unravelling and makes the cord easier to thread through grommets and tie-down points on tarps and packs.
Despite its impressive strength rating, paracord is NOT rated for climbing, abseiling, or any life-safety application. It has very little stretch and no dynamic energy absorption. Use proper climbing rope for those purposes. Paracord is for utility, not fall arrest.
A 30-metre length of 7-strand 550 paracord for shelter building, gear repairs and countless improvised jobs. One of the highest-utility items you can pack for its weight.
A versatile 3x3m tarp with multiple attachment points for building shelters in dozens of configurations. A bushcraft mainstay for staying dry off-grid.
Assorted-length elasticated bungee cords with strong carabiner hooks for securing loads, rigging shelters and strapping down gear quickly and reusably.