As mentioned in our popular post on Paracord bracelets, the paracord rope has truly emerged from being a product built for parachutes to an essential gear to carry in outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping and hunting. The paracord can serve many purposes such as tying up your tent, hanging your clothes or as a survival cord in case of emergencies. The most common arrangement to carry a paracord rope is in the form of a survival bracelet, which can provide a decent 12-15 feet of paracord along with a bunch of other tools.
However, many times you want to carry a cord whose length is much more than the standard 12-15 feet length available with the bracelet and other small gear. One such mechanism is to carry the cord as a nicely weaved, trouser belt. In this article, we look at some of the best paracord belts available in the market for camping and survival. We will also look at some of the factors to consider while picking the best paracord belt for your needs and share our top picks. Finally, we would look at some of the best resources to check out for making your own paracord belt or other paracord-based tactical gear.
Best paracord survival belt comparison list
Our pick of the best paracord survival belt out in the market and how they stack against each other.| Picture | Product | Specifications (inches) | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt | Waist: 28" to 54" Loop: 1.25" | - A made in USA, hugely popular paracord belt which features extremely well knit weave. - The belt has 7 strands of two 10 feet and two 40 feet weaves, totalling 800 feet of cord. - Features an ultralight titanium buckle and comes in three colors. - Comes with lifetime manufacturer warranty and replacement on use. - Available in black and Camo color. | |
  | Campsnail EDC Survival Paracord Belt | Waist: 47" adjustable Loop: 1.6" | - A well-designed, cobra weave 550- adjustable paracord belt. - Features 7 strands with 130 feet of cord - Comes in more than seven gender neutral colors. - Features a high quality rust free metal buckle. - Comes with lifetime manufacturer warranty. | |
  | JK Survival Tactical Paracord Belt | Waist: 36” to 44” Loop: 1.5” | - A multi-feature tactical paracord belt made with military grade 550-paracord. - Features 7 strands with varying cord length of 75 to 100 feet with a sewn-in wire saw. - The belt features a unique box buckle with emergency matches and flint, fishline, fishhooks, whistle, signal mirror and other survival items. - Available in three colors and three sizes. | |
  | Foxtrot Survival Military Grade Paracord Belt | Waist: 29” to 42” Loop: 1.5” | - A high-quality, cobra-weave adjustable paracord belt, made with military-grade 7-strand, 550-paracord. - Adjustable belt for waists between 29" to 42", allowing you to adjust every 1/4". - Comes in three male friendly colors. - Features a USA made gunmetal reversible buckle with a slack loop. - A matching paracord bracelet is included as a bonus. | |
  | Stylrtop Paracord Survival Belt | Waist: 29" to 42" adjustable Loop: 1.5" | - A seven-strand survival belt made with high quality 550lb paracord. - The belt weighs around 0.75 lbs making it reasonably lightweight. - Each strand has a cord of 90 feet. - Comes in multiple standard colors. | |
  | Ten Point Gear Paracord Survival Belt | Waist: 32” to 36” Loop: 1.6” | - A double-cobra weaved adjustable paracord belt, made with high-grade 550-paracord. - Each strand has about 70 feet of cordage. - Comes with a metal buckle with brushed metal finish. - Comes in 6 vibrant colors, suitable for both genders. | |
  | Eighteen Thirty-Five Paracord Survival Belt | Waist: 34” to 46” Loop: 1.38” | - High-quality paracord belt, made with military-grade 550-paracord. - Available in four sizes with 82 - 110 feet of cordage. - Comes with an elegant-looking, durable cold steel buckle that is designed to last. - Comes in a standard black color. | |
  | ASR Outdoor Milspec Paracord Belt | Waist: 52" Loop: 1.5" | - A well designed paracord belt with stainless steel buckle. - Features 6-8 strands with 45 -60 feet of paracord in each strand. - Offers three color combinations. | |
  | ParaCare Tactical Paracord Belt | Waist: 28" to 38" Loop: 1.5" | - A unique tactical paracord belt made with high grade 550-paracord. - Each strand has a cord length of around 40 feet. - Features a unique buckle in form of a fully functional carabiner. - Comes in multiple gender friendly colors |
What is a paracord belt and why do you need one?
As per Wikipedia, parachute cord (also paracord or 550 cord when referring to type-III paracord) is a lightweight nylon kern mantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes. This cord is useful for many other tasks and is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians.
The paracord is typically made up just like an electric wiring with two main parts:
- The core: Made of 7-9 inner nylon fibers, each with three strands.
- The sheath: Like the core, sheath is made up of nylon and provides a nice cover to prevent the core from loosening and dismantling.
The paracord rope has found a wide range of uses in outdoor activities such as backpacking, hiking, and mountaineering such as for holding bags and tying up shelters. If you need a paracord of considerable length( more than 50 feet) and quality along with some nice additional features than there is no better option than carrying the cord as a sweetly-designed paracord belt.
There are a bunch of primary roles that a paracord belt can fulfill as a useful survival gear:
- Survival Rope/Rescue Lines
- Fishing net and fishing line
- Snare trap.
- Fire cord.
- Tying up shelters
- Holding bear bags etc.
- Carrying holster or concealed weapon/li>
In addition to these primary roles, some paracord survival belts have some additional features such as adjusting loop, emergency carabiner, snare wire and even fire starters. As the designs emerge, you never know what little utility or tool you would see with your next paracord belt.
In the next section, we look at some of the factors while considering the best paracord survival belt for yourself or somebody else as a gift and share our top picks.
How to pick the best paracord belt for yourself?
The major decision that you have to make about picking the best paracord belt for your needs is often a challenging task and governed by budget as well as utility factors. Some of the major factors to consider while selecting the best paracord belt are listed below:
- Paracord type, weave and strand length.
- Waist size and width of belt.
- Type and building material of the buckle.
- Looks and gender support.
- Additional tactical features and considerations.
Paracord type, weave and strand length
Considering the fact that paracord is expected to withstand load in excess of 200 pounds, the paracord type, weave and strand length are an important consideration while picking up a paracord belt. Almost all paracord belts are made up with 550-paracord (Type III paracord), which means that the cord rope can handle a maximum weight of 550 pounds or 250 kilos. Any belt that is not a true 550-paracord only has a limited utility in the wilderness and hence should be avoided.
The weave of the paracord is also an important factor as it governs the looks of the belt and length of cord in each strand. Some of the best paracord belts such as the Campsnail EDC Survival Paracord Belt feature a cobra or double cobra weave, while other paracord belts feature a snake tail weave. The exception to these common weave types is the RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt which features a unique Emergency weave that packs a lot of paracord rope in a relatively small area.
Each paracord belt has about 7-8 strands of paracord rope arranged in the specific weave. Typically each strand has a cord with length ranging from 45 to 80 feet. Some belts such as the RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt are very tightly weaved, packing 4 variable length cords in each weave.
Check that the paracord rope is specified as type III (or at least type II) and you have at least 100 feet of total rope available while picking the best paracord belt for your outdoor adventure.
Waist size and width of belt
Since the primary purpose of the paracord belt would be to hold your trouser or lower intact, picking the correct waist size for the belt is important. Most belts come in different waist sizes ranging from 28 inches to 56 inches. Some adjustable paracord belts also have an standard adjustable waist length.
Another important factor to consider is the width of the belt, as it would govern whether the belt would fit loops of your trouser or lower wear. Most paracord belts have a width of 1.5 inches. Paracord belts such as RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt have a width of 1.25 inch making them suitable for pants with smaller loops. Extra wide belts such as Campsnail EDC Survival Paracord Belt have a width of 1.6 inch and may not fit every trouser loop.
Type and building material of the buckle
The buckles used in paracord belts are generally made up of rust-resistant gun metal steel. Most of the paracord belts are reversible so the buckles are also reversible. Some of the exceptions are the RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt which features a high quality titanium buckle and the JK Survival Tactical Paracord Belt whose buckle is a tactical gear with steel snare wire and ferrocerium fire starter.
Check the paracord belt size – both waist length and width before picking the best paracord survival belt for your needs.
Looks and gender support
Early paracord belts were primarily made for males and supported colors such as black, brown and camo only. With the popularity of such belts in female outdoor enthusiasts as well, most manufacturers provide multiple unisex color options for the belts (between 3 -8 color combinations). Some Belts even offer female-friendly colors such as pink. In addition, some manufacturers offer custom color combinations on demand as well. Check out the different options available while picking the most appropriate look and color.
Additional tactical features and considerations
In addition to the four major factors discussed above, there are some additional tactical features and considerations that can make a particular paracord belt a better option when compared to others.
Most paracord survival belts provide the standard features such as long strands and high-quality buckles. However, some paracord belts have unique tactical features that you can consider while picking the best paracord belt for your needs. For example, the RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt offers multi-length paracord pieces making it easier to use those strands. In addition, the JK Survival Tactical Paracord Belt has some additional features such as steel wire saw and small fire starter support as well.
Another factor to keep in the mind is the TSA-compliance. Except for the JK Survival Paracord Belt which has a multi-purpose survival buckle and sewn-in wire saw, all the belts that we listed are TSA-friendly and can be worn while on flights.
Finally, the warranty and after sales-support such as free re-weaving after deployment are also an important additional consideration. Our top pick, the RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt scores big in this category as it is backed by a lifetime warranty and replacement/re-weaving after use.
Consider all these features as well, while picking the best paracord belt.
Which are the best paracord belts and what our picks are?
RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt – Editor’s choice for best paracord survival belt
Picking the best gear in a category has never been this easy. RattlerStrap Paracord Survival EDC Belt is a hugely popular made in USA paracord belt that features a unique “Emergency” weave. The paracord, as well as the buckle, are all handcrafted with the best grade nylon and titanium respectively. This belt comes in multiple waist sizes ranging from 28 inches to 54 inches.
The belt has 7 strands with each strand having two 10 feet and two 40 feet weaves, totaling 700+ feet of cord. The strands are very tightly woven and stay that way even after multiyear usage. The width of the belt is a smaller 1.25 inch, making it comfortable to fit in all standard pant loops. Since the weave forms a crossing center arrangement, each belt is adjustable in 0.25-inch increment for its entire length. So you do not have to look for another one, in case your waist size changes.
The belt features an ultralight, but extremely durable titanium buckle. The belt comes in three colors – black, brown and camo. Additional colors are launched on a limited basis from time to time. All belts come with manufacturer’s lifetime warranty and replacement service on use.
The only drawback about this belt is the price. The belt is about 40-50% costly than other paracord survival belts. However, if the initial investment is not a challenge, you should strongly consider going with this belt as it is worth every penny spent.
Campsnail EDC Survival Paracord Belt – Value pick for the best paracord survival belts
Campsnail EDC Survival Paracord Belt is a well-designed cobra weave 550- paracord belt. The belt features 7 well-knit strands with 130 feet of cord in the strand, making it an economical survival gear during emergencies while outdoors hiking, camping, trekking, or climbing.
The Campsnail Paracord Belt has a standard length of 47″ which can be adjusted as desired. It features a metal buckle made of high-quality rust and tarnish free steel. The belt comes in as many as 8 gender neutral unisex colors including camouflage.
Every paracord belt is backed by a hassle-free lifetime manufacturer warranty for defects and replacements on use.
The only drawback one may consider is that the belt is 1.6 inches wide and little heavier than some other belts. However, for its economical price, this belt does pack a punch.
JK Survival Tactical Paracord Belt – Editor’s choice for best tactical multi-purpose paracord belt
The JK Survival Tactical Paracord Belt is a uniquely-designed tactical paracord survival belt. This fully hand crafted belt is made from high-quality, military-grade 550-paracord.
This multi-feature belt has 7-strands with a varying cord length of 75 to 100 feet depending on the length of the belt. The belt comes in waist sizes ranging from 36 inches to 44 inches and has a standard width of 1.5 inches. In addition to the cord, a survival wire-saw is swen in the belt. This paracord belt is available in three, somewhat “male-friendly” colors.
The JK survival belt features a unique stainless-steel buckle box which provides a bunch of survival items, that includes – emergency matches and flint, fishline, fishhooks, whistle, signal mirror and other survival items. The box buckle is not the normal Altoid tin box, it is actually a solidly built steel box and looks reasonable elegant. These features make this belt a perfect choice for survivalists.
The only limitation is that because of the unique buckle and the sewn-in wire saw, this belt may not be allowed as a wear-on while taking flights.
Each JK Survival Tactical Paracord Belt is backed by a standard manufacturer warranty and hassle-free service.
Helpful Tip:Since almost all the paracord belts that we have listed have metallic buckles, you may have to take the belt off during security check-ins at airports. So keep this in mind while using these belts.
Do It Yourself(DIY) Paracord Belts
If you are interested in bushcraft, survival and making your own gear, then the paracord based belts and other gears are probably the most interesting projects to undertake. There are a ton of resources available to help you make your own paracord belt. The most popular online resources include those on Instructables and DIYProjects. If you are looking for a step-by-step guidebook, check out our favorite, Paracord! – a detailed primer authored by Todd Mikkelsen, the creator of the popular Paracord 101 blog and YouTube channel.
In order to make your own belts, you would need high-quality paracord rope. Generally, Type III paracord (support up to 500 lbs.) are good enough for belts, though you can consider Type IV paracord (support up to 750 lbs.) as well. Some of the best such cords available in the market are listed below:
- Paracord Planet Type III 7 Strand 550 Paracord
- TITAN MIL-SPEC 550 Paracord
- OxGord Type III 7 Strand Paracord
- TOUGH-GRID Type IV Paracord
Finally, you need a belt buckle and a stitching needle to lace and stitch the belt in an appropriate knot. You can consider the following options for stitching needles:
- Jig Pro Shop Paracord Lacing and Stitching needles
- Wild Wolf Pack paracord stitching needles
- SafetyCare Stainless Steel paracord stitching needles
Additional paracord gear
As discussed above, a paracord belt is only one of the many tactical paracord gears that you can carry with you. There are some other tactical items that allow you to carry a smaller length of paracord with you. While a detailed discussion on these items would probably be a topic for another article, some other tactical paracord items you can check out are listed below:
- Paracord bracelet: A cool utility item that is also an excellent fashion accessory than just a tactical gear ala Mad Max. Check out our article on the best paracord bracelets to find the most suitable option for your needs.
- Paracord Keychains: Another inexpensive tactical utility item that allows carrying a small length of cord. Most paracord keychains are also loaded with additional items such as fire-starters. Gecko Equipments has a perfect survival keychain set with fire-starter, tinder and fishing hooks, among other things.
- Paracord handles, wraps and watch straps: Many normal outdoor gears such as bottles, knives, hatchets and watches allow you to carry additional cord length through tactical handles, wraps and straps. You can also weave such items yourself.
Final thoughts on the best paracord belts for backpacking and survival
In this post, we looked at some of the best paracord survival trouser belts. We looked at the primary features provided by a paracord belt. In addition, we looked at a few options which offer some additional survival gear along with the belt. We also looked at the factors to consider while picking the best belt. Do let us know how you found this article and if you would want us to consider anything else. Best wishes for your next backpacking or hiking trip with your favorite paracord belt!
Related posts
The best paracord bracelet for survival
The best windproof lighter for camping
The best fire starter for camping and survival
Shop products related to the best paracord belts
Image credits: Amazon.com