🪢 Which rope for which use?

Breaking strength, weight per meter, and resistance to water or UV for 17 ropes and cords, from dental floss to climbing rope — plus what each knot costs you in strength, calculated on 550 paracord.

★ A 9 mm climbing rope holds 2,200 kg, almost 9 times more than 550 paracord (249 kg) — but weighs 7 times more per meter.

★ A simple knot reduces a rope's strength by 20 to 45%: a 550 paracord tied with a girth hitch snaps around 135 kg, not 249.

★ 20 lb fishing line (9 kg strength, 0.3 g/m) is ten times lighter per meter than jute twine (25 kg, 3 g/m) for only a third of its strength: pick what you're trying to optimize.

★ Natural bushcraft cordage (linden, nettle, spruce root) all range between 20 and 70 kg: plenty for building a shelter, never for rappelling.

23 rows

Strength : Breaking strength; for knots, resulting strength on a 550 paracord (249 kg when brand new) — higher is better.

9 mm dynamic climbing rope ≈

2 200 kg

550 Paracord (7 strands)

249 kg

Kevlar cord (2 mm) ≈

200 kg

Figure-eight knot (on 550 paracord) ≈

193 kg

Dyneema (2 mm cord) ≈

181 kg

Bowline knot (on 550 paracord) ≈

181 kg

Double fisherman's knot (on 550 paracord) ≈

168 kg

Prusik knot (on 550 paracord) ≈

156 kg

Clove hitch (on 550 paracord) ≈

149 kg

Girth hitch (on 550 paracord) ≈

137 kg

275 Paracord (4 strands)

125 kg

Jungle vine (generic tropical water vine) ≈

70 kg

Sisal rope ≈

60 kg

Split spruce root (wattape) ≈

55 kg

Linden bark cordage (retted) ≈

45 kg

Shoelaces (flat) ≈

40 kg

Nettle fiber (retted) ≈

40 kg

Dried animal sinew ≈

35 kg

Willow bark cordage ≈

30 kg

Jute twine ≈

25 kg

Peeled bramble (inner fiber) ≈

20 kg

Dental floss (unwaxed) ≈

18 kg

20 lb monofilament fishing line

9 kg

Sources (4)

Other numbers

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