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.
A reel of genuine 3-strand 2mm nylon cord for pitching tarps, guy lines, repairs and general lashings. It's thinner and lighter than 550 paracord, which suits shelter-building and everyday jobs where you don't need full 550 strength.
A thick 420g/m² waterproof tarp with reinforced edges and eyelets, useful for rigging emergency shelter, covering a damaged roof or protecting kit and firewood from the weather. The heavier weight trades packability for durability, so it's better suited to the home and car than an ultralight pack. Pair it with paracord or bungees to pitch it.
A genuine 4mm Type III paracord with seven inner strands, sold in 15, 30 and 50 metre lengths. The inner yarns pull out for fine repairs, fishing line or lashings, while the sheath handles the heavier work. A cheap, endlessly useful length of cord for any grab bag or shelter kit.
A reel of general-purpose paracord from UK outdoor brand Kombat, useful for shelter guy-lines, gear repairs, lashings and a hundred other jobs around a camp or grab bag. Cord on a reel stays tidy and tangle-free, which matters when you actually need it in a hurry. Treat it as a solid utility cord for rigging and repairs rather than a rated climbing or load-bearing line.
A tough 105gsm waterproof tarp with reinforced grommets for rigging a quick shelter, groundsheet or storm cover. Throw it over a downed fence, a leaking roof or a woodpile, or string it up with paracord for emergency overhead cover. The kind of dull, reliable kit that earns its place in a shed or vehicle.
A thick waterproof tarp with reinforced aluminium eyelets for rigging shelter, covering a leaking roof, or keeping firewood and kit dry. It's the versatile bit of emergency shelter that does a dozen jobs and packs flat. Pair it with paracord or bungee cords and you have a quick lean-to or ground sheet.
The main route into storm, power cut, warmth, water and car-kit guidance.
A practical first plan for lights, phones, food, warmth and checking on people.
Buyable kit picks for the most common UK storm and outage problems.
A printable checklist for cold weather, outages, travel disruption and home prep.