Paracord is a versatile tool used by survivalists, military organizations, campers, homeowners, and more, thanks to its strength and dependability. There are many different types of paracord, and it can be a challenge knowing where to buy cheap, legitimate paracord for your needs.
In this article, I’ll explore my top 4 choices in-depth to help you find the cheapest places to buy paracord.
1. Paracord Galaxy
Paracord Galaxy is a family-owned business based in Utah and is popular among paracord enthusiasts for a good reason. As a paracord distributor, they understand the importance of offering high-quality products at affordable prices, making them one of the cheapest places to purchase paracord.
Paracord Galaxy offers excellent quality nylon paracord in every type, but their most popular product is the 550 Paracord. The 550 Paracord is most commonly used for hauling everyday loads, but can also be used for smaller projects as well, such as making survival bracelets.
They also offer several other types of paracord, all for under $10 per 100 feet (30.48 meters).
Even their 750 Paracord, which boasts a 750 pound (340 kilograms) tensile strength, is only $8.99 per 100 feet (30.5 meters). So, you can buy as much as you need without having to spend a fortune!
2. Paracord Planet
Paracord Planet is your one-stop shop for all things paracord.
They offer these paracord types:
- #550 Variations
- #550 Mil-Spec
- #95
- #275
- #325
- #425
- #650
- #750
- #850
- Paramax Cord
- Survival Cord
- Micro/Nano Cord
- Shock & Elastic Cord and more!
You can purchase 550 nylon paracord for only $11.99 per 100 feet (30.48 meters). Paracord Planet’s products are all high quality and affordable.
What Is a Military Grade Paracord?
Military Grade Paracord is a paracord that has passed rigorous testing to be used by the military, law enforcement, emergency response organizations, and even NASA. Military Grade Paracord will have a different colored string, known as a ‘marker string’ inside of it.
Finding Military Grade paracord, also known as Mil-Spec Paracord, can be tricky. Many distributors will label their paracord products with the Mil-Spec designation without actually meeting the requirements for it.
Paracord Planet meets the requirements to authoritatively use the Mil-Spec designation, meaning that their product is certified Military Grade.
550 Mil-Spec Paracord is available for purchase on their website for only $19.99 per 100 feet (30.48 meters). For the strongest, toughest paracord used by professionals worldwide, it is well worth the price.
3. Bored Paracord
Bored Paracord is a veteran-owned establishment that sells only U.S.-made paracord in a variety of different colors and types.
From colors like “Birthday Cake” to “Wizard”, their paracords feature bright and exciting colors. For those using paracords primarily at night or in the dark, they offer reflective paracord as well.
You can purchase 550 nylon paracord from Bored Paracord for only $8.95 per 100 feet (30.48 meters).
4. Amazon
Amazon sells paracord at incredibly low prices from independent sellers.
It may not be easy to determine if the online retailers are selling legitimate paracord or not, so only buy from these independent sellers if you are okay with the possibility that they may break when you use them.
You can buy TECEUM 550 Paracord from Amazon. This paracord is 100% nylon, boasts a 550-pound (249 kg) tensile strength, and is exceptionally durable.
You can buy paracord from most major retailers for cheaper, but they may not offer the same high quality you will find from paracord distributors.
Warning: Some of these stores offer a paracord product that does not have a similar high tensile strength to genuine paracord. Therefore, many of these products are not actually paracord.
To put it simply, you are better off purchasing legitimate paracord from official distributors.
Best Place To Buy Bulk Paracord
R&W Rope is a family-owned business specializing in large rope orders if you are interested in buying paracord in bulk at an affordable price.
R&W Rope offers paracord lengths of 50 feet (15.24 meters), 100 feet (30.5 meters), 250 feet (76.2 meters), and 1000 feet (304.8 meters).
You can purchase a 550 paracord from R&W Rope for $64.99 per 1000 feet (304.8 meters), which is an excellent price for bulk orders of paracord.
Related 7 Best Ropes for Survival Based on Uses and Situation.
What Strength Paracord Do I Need?
You will need different strengths of paracord depending on what you intend to use it for. The most common strength is 550, which is strong enough for hauling weight but can still be used for smaller projects.
With so many different paracord types, it is entirely understandable to be unsure what type you should buy for your needs.
Below is a chart with the common paracord strength types and just a few of their near-limitless potential uses.
| Paracord Strength | Potential Uses |
| 325 | Clothesline, bracelet, belts, clothing repair |
| 550 | Fishing, camping, hunting, bracelets, clothing repair, tie-down |
| 650 | Hammocking, shoelaces, keychains, equipment grips |
| 750 | Pet leashes, hunting, fishing, camping, biking, rope bridges, nets, |
| 1100 | Securing shelter, tying down equipment, kayaking, fishing, hunting |
If you are unsure what paracord strength to purchase, the 550 is the most commonly used strength because of its versatility, affordability, and ease of use.
While the 550 is popular among paracord users of all types and backgrounds, it is especially common among survivalists. You can use 550 paracord to create shelters, start fires, and build makeshift hunting tools.
Can I Use Paracord for Climbing?
You cannot use a paracord for climbing or rappelling. You should only ever use paracord for climbing and rappelling when in extreme emergencies and with proper caution.
Because of the high tensile strength of paracord, it might seem like you can use it interchangeably with climbing rope, but that is not ever the case.
Using a paracord for climbing or rappelling is dangerous, as it can snap easily and was not designed as a tool to be used for these purposes.
Thanks for reading!
For more, check out Basic Wilderness Navigation Techniques: A Beginners Guide.
Note: Prices in this article are subject to change without notice. Please check the stores for current pricing.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.