Ropes & Cordage

As with all things, the exact cordage that will be the best for outdoor use depends on the specific needs and requirements of the activity. 

With that in mind, here are some of the most popular cordage options for general outdoor use: 

Paracord
Paracord, sometimes also called parachute cord, is one of the best ropes for bushcraft, hammock camping and as hoochie cord for tarp camping. 

As the name suggests, paracord was developed for military parachutes in World War II. The cord was made with an outer sheath and several inner strands, giving it incredible load bearing capacity and ensuring it can maintain its strength even when wet or frozen. 

Today, paracord is used by the military as well as outdoor enthusiasts, bushcrafters and survivalists because of its utility in camping, hiking, and emergency situations. 

Utility Cord
Utility cord (also known as accessory cord, guyline cord, guy cord, hardcord or static rope) is a general term to describe lightweight cordage that can be used for a huge range of tasks. This is the cord you’ll most often see used for guylines for tents or camping tarps. It works just as well for securing gear, hanging food up off the ground, a clothes line, gear repairs, emergency shoe-laces – the list goes on.  

The ideal cordage for this purpose will be ultralight, usually between 2mm and 3.5mm thick and made from braided nylon that has minimal stretch. We developed our 2mm Dyneema® Hardcord to give you the most strength at the lowest possible weight; it weighs just 1.5g per metre yet is capable of bearing loads up to 180 kg. 

Remember, while some utility cord can technically support the weight of a person, it is not able to absorb the shock of a fall because it has minimal stretch, so never use it for supporting your weight or climbing. 

Bank line
Bank line, also called mariners bank line or tarred bank line, is a thin, strong, and lightweight cord made from braided nylon or polyester with UV-resistant and waterproof properties. 

It is often used for bushcraft activities like fishing, setting up traps, and other tasks that require a tough, functional cordage that can be broken down into smaller strands. It is often dark in colour so that it blends into the environment, making it less noticeable to prey. 

Regardless of what you’re using it for, the cordage you use in outdoor settings needs to offer adequate strength, durability, versatility and most importantly, reliability. Even if you’re not planning to use your cordage for weight-bearing purposes like hammock camping or climbing, it is still absolutely essential that you can trust your ropes to perform as they should. Always select high-quality cordage from reputable manufacturers to ensure safety and reliability in the wilderness.

Hoochie cord is the Australian version of utility cord, developed for hoochie tarp camping and general outdoor use. It is made from braided strands of nylon or polyester around 2mm thick with a high load-bearing capacity and minimal stretch, meaning it will remain taut under load. This makes it ideal for a huge variety of tasks, from building shelters to setting up tents, a hoochie or any tarp, as well as equipment repairs, securing gear and so much more. 

Hoochie cord is sometimes mistaken for paracord, but it doesn’t have the same properties. Hoochie cord typically is a braided cord that, unlike paracord, does not have an outer sheath surrounding inner strands. This means it is usually thinner and lighter than paracord while still being very strong, durable, and highly-effective for outdoor use. 

Our own 2mm Dyneema® Hardcord is actually a type of hoochie cord, and comes included with all our camping tarps and hammocks and is also available separately in 15m and 30m lengths.

There are countless ways that rope could be useful on a camping trip. We threw this question out to the Alton team, and here’s what they have to say:

1. Building shelter
2. Guylines for securing your tarp or tent
3. Making a clothesline
4. Hang gear or food off the ground
5. Bundling up firewood or other resources
6. Making fishing lines and nets
7. Setting traps
8. Building a raft 
9. Tie gear to your pack 
10. Secure gear while you’re away from camp
11. Lowering or pulling up a heavy pack over steep drop
12. Safety line for climbing up technical terrain
13. Getting gear (and people) safely across rivers
14. Temporary belt 
15. Shoelace replacement 
16. Emergency stretcher 
17. Splint or brace for first-aid
18. Leadrope for livestock or a leash for a dog (you never know what you’ll find out in the wilderness)
19. Towing or securing something to your vehicle 
20. Keeping a group together in a storm or low-visibility 

No doubt there are a lot of other possible uses for rope on a camping trip – but you get the idea. Simply put, cordage is one of the most useful items you can bring on any outdoor adventure.

Yes. Like all our hiking gear, our cordage and camping ropes are covered by our All Good Guarantee. This Lifetime Warranty* is our promise to you that your gear is made to the highest performance and quality standards in the industry.

Discover our range of best-selling outdoor gear online or in-store today, with free shipping for all orders over $100 AUD in Australia and $150 USD in the USA or visit our shipping and delivery page for more information.