What are paracord survival knots?
When you’re camping, climbing or stuck out in the wilderness, a good survival knot will come in handy. There are many types of survival knots – some contain loops that are ideal for hooking onto anchors, whilst others allow the length of paracords to be adjusted. Using a paracord ensures that your knot will be strong and secure – providing that you have done the knot correctly – but we can help with that.
Types of paracord survival knots
We have six survival knots for you to master with your paracord. There’s a variety of lengths and colours to choose from when it comes to paracords. From neon pink to woodland camo, choose whether to blend in or stand out – either way, they’ll be your best friends out in the wild.
Figure-eight knot
One of the most popular and strongest knots for climbers and campers is the figure-eight knot. This incredibly strong knot won’t unravel under pressure, which makes it perfect for climbing. If multiple knots are tied along a paracord, this can also be used to climb up. A variation of this is the figure-eight follow through knot, which contains a loop at the end – this knot can be used to haul people up or as a hand or foothold.
Figure-eight on a bight
A close relative of the figure-eight knot – this knot differs slightly as it contains a loop at the end. This loop is known as a bight and it comes in handy when securing a paracord to a climbing harness or an anchor of some kind. It is important that these knots are really secure, but too tight and they can be difficult to untie.
Bowline knot
Easy to tie and untie, but are still able to hold an incredibly high amount of weight. Only have one hand free? No problem. This knot can be tied using just one hand. The bowline knot is great for tying a paracord around yourself or other things, but we don’t suggest using this knot for climbing. As the bowline knot can come undone when pulled sideways, it’s definitely not the safest knot to use in this instance.
Clove hitch
The clove hitch may not be as strong as the figure-eight knot, but it does offer one important feature. This knot allows you to adjust the length of your paracord without untying – this is due to its loose binding. In high winds, we suggest checking this knot often as it can unravel.
Sheet bend
Have you ever gone out climbing or camping and realised that your paracords are too short? This is where the sheet bend comes into play – it’s a great knot for tying two shorter paracords together. The sheet bend can still work even if the two paracords are made with different materials or if they vary in thicknesses, to be extra safe, a double knot will ensure complete security. In need of a net, a hammock or possibly a stretcher? The sheet bend can help with just about anything.
Taut line hitch
The taut line hitch is a useful knot to learn when going camping. It is popular for its versatility, but is great for setting up a tarpaulin. This knot can slide up and down the paracord and is easy to untie when not needed. However, if the rotation of the knot is reversed, it can become weaker so it shouldn’t be relied on when climbing.
Interested in purchasing a paracord and trying out these survival knots? Why not take a look at our extensive range of paracords? If you’re in need of some extra advice, get in touch with us today and we can help to pick the perfect paracord to suit your needs.