A rope can be a rope is often a rope. But choose the wrong one for the task at hand and you may understand why this is just not true. Like with the majority of things, there is often a right tool to do the job and there can be a wrong tool for the position. Ropes resemble in that these are long and will be laid straight. Here’s where it gets interesting, however:

We likely have all seen a ball of yellow rope. It’s kinky looking, doesn’t necessarily lie flat once you try to roll against eachother and it isn’t very secure. It also can’t produce a knot worth anything, that knot will just unravel faster than you may tie it. So why can it be a useful rope? Well, it’s waterproof also it will float. If you tip your canoe and desire a rope, this thing will likely be bobbing around beside you waiting being of some use. Oh, and yes it’s inexpensive so be sure to have some around.

Climbing ropes are the types made for climbing. That’s pretty simple, but they also have a kernmantle design that’s great since it makes them strong, proof against abrasion plus the best part–stretchy. No, it is not like elastic, but they also do stretch a little bit which can be great if you need to use them to tie down heavy loads or use to tie awkward things such as poles together and them together.

If you’ll need a stretchy rope, then this bungee cord ‘s what you are looking for. These things are incredibly stretchy and they can be great to maintain things rolled up after you’re not with them to jump from great heights. Bungee ropes can be found in a variety of different diameters so it is possible to find the perfect one for whatever you decide and need it for without difficulty.

Braided ropes appear in single or double braided varieties. A single braid will possess a hollow core and may become flat once you push into it. A double braid however includes a braided core making it stronger and much less likely to kink after you are deploying it.

And plus there is parachute cord, the 550 cord, so named as it has a minimum breaking strength of 550 lbs. It is created from a braided sheath containing up to 9 interwoven strands of separate cord inside. It’s strong, it’s durable and it also’s to military specifications. No wonder they will use it if they’re heading out of an plane.