Paracord? What exactly is the difference?

So, it seems like everyone and their bushcrafting redneck cousin have become really interested in "paracord" lately. I'm having a hard time discerning what exactly it is and how it might be differentiated from say, 3mm accessory cord.

Is it stronger? Strong enough for parachutes?! Strong enough to Bear Grylls rappel down a cliff!!?

This really isn't trolling, I'm just getting sick of hearing about this stuff and not being able to find a climbing discussion on the matter.

From Wikipedia

In aggregate, its pretty strong. 3mm acc. cord is probably stronger and higher quality, it is more expensive after all, but probably not as useful, since it does cost more. That is, I'm way more likely to sacrifice 60m of paracord that costs me $10 than an equivalent quantity of 3mm acc. cord, since the acc. cord is between 2 and 3 times the price.

We always just called it 550 cord (referring to its supposed 550lb tensile strength). It's pretty versatile stuff, strong enough for most stuff you're life isn't depending on. Also its cheap enough that you won't feel bad throwing it away. I'm pretty sure that 550 cord and duct tape are actually holding the USMC together.

Supposedly an astronaut repaired a module of the international space station using only paracord-that's what I've heard at least. I used to use it in high school theater to lower 150 pound lights down from the ceiling. Strong stuff. Also doesn't take up all that much space.

Thanks for the info. That helps! =)

True 550 paracord has an outside sheath and 7 twisted strands inside. It comes in white, olive drab, black and camo. Even though it's strong, it's way too thin to rappel on. Around here it's about $7-8 for 100 feet. The ex-sargent at the local Army-Navy store calls it Paratroopers Cord and "admonishes" me when I call it paracord.

Some of the stuff used on kites and chutes today is the outside sheath only. Accept no substitutes.

wivanoff wrote:True 550 paracord has an outside sheath and 7 twisted strands inside.

FWIW, the two spools of it I bought Army surplus ~1990 were *not* twisted strand inside. IIRC it seemed much bigger than 3mm; closer to 4 or 5. But 550lb tensile was absolutely what it was, as with a bit of leverage it was easy to break.

Aric Datesman wrote: FWIW, the two spools of it I bought Army surplus ~1990 were *not* twisted strand inside. IIRC it seemed much bigger than 3mm; closer to 4 or 5. But 550lb tensile was absolutely what it was, as with a bit of leverage it was easy to break.

"Genuine MIL-SPEC MIL-C-5040 Type III Paracord has 7 inner yarns each made up of 3 strands. Commercial 550 paracord imitations may not have 7 inner yarns or the inner yarns may not have 3 strands each."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parac…

I don't know what you bought. This is what I buy.

ccerling wrote: I'm pretty sure that 550 cord and duct tape are actually holding the USMC together.

holy crap, this is true

Paracord is dynamic, like a climbing rope, not static like accessory cord.

It also has a very loose sheath compared to accessory cord. This makes knotting and un-knotting a pain.

wivanoff wrote:True 550 paracord has an outside sheath and 7 twisted strands inside. It comes in white, olive drab, black and camo. Even though it's strong, it's way too thin to rappel on. Around here it's about $7-8 for 100 feet. The ex-sargent at the local Army-Navy store calls it Paratroopers Cord and "admonishes" me when I call it paracord. Some of the stuff used on kites and chutes today is the outside sheath only. Accept no substitutes.

That guy must have been a Sergeant in the Salvation Army.

ccerling wrote: I'm pretty sure that 550 cord and duct tape are actually holding the USMC together.

haha awesome. it can be used to cut through a steering wheel on a vehicle pretty quickly as well, just wrap it around and saw. firefighters on base carry it in their flight suits. destroys the cord, and probably not practical for real situations, but kinda fun to try if you have a piece laying around.

Do not use paracord for anyhting climbing related. It is great for strapping down stuff on packs, emergency repair on shoes, etc. I got 1,000 feet of imitation stuff for $40 shipped to my door. At that price it's great cord when you don't want to waste good climbing cord on non-climbing related stuff.

wivanoff wrote: Some of the stuff used on kites and chutes today is the outside sheath only. Accept no substitutes.

Amen to that; the cheap crap is what's found in hardware stores etc. It's nothing more than dryer lint-filled shoe lace. It's not even in the same ballpark as the military cord.

I think the sheath on accessory cord is more abrasive resistant (and tighter woven) than the sheath of paracord, but i can't quantify that.