How to Make Paracord Backpack Straps
Making your own paracord backpack straps is a creative way to keep your belongings tight to your body. The strength of paracord also makes for an ideal material for fashion straps. The trick to making long lasting straps is to use a braiding technique to fashion three pieces of paracord together per strap to enhance the durability and aesthetic appeal of your backpack. Once your straps are complete, connect each end with a plastic clip and buckle and you are good to go.
Things You'll Need
- 6 paracord ropes, 1/4-by-40 inch
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Masking tape
- 1/2-by-1-5/8-by-2-1/2-inch plastic slide release buckle
- Permanent epoxy
- Needle
- Thread
Instructions
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1
Measure and cut six individual pieces of 1/4-inch paracord ropes to 40-inch lengths. Lightly scorch the ends of each rope with a lighter to prevent the fibers from fraying.
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2
Place the three cords side-by-side onto a table so the short ends are facing you. Masking tape the far ends of the cords to the table. You want two inches at the far end of each cord taped to the table. Tilt the cords upward at a 30 degree angle.
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3
Drape the left cord -- cord "A" -- over the middle cord -- cord "B." Cord "A" is now the middle cord. Drape the right cord -- cord "C" -- over the middle cord. Cord "C" is now the middle cord. Continue draping one cord over another in this fashion, pulling each overlap taut, until only 2 inches are free at the free (un-taped) cord ends and the braid is complete.
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4
Tie the free cord ends around the prefabricated bracket on one piece of the plastic slide-release buckle. Lather the knots with permanent epoxy to secure the bond.
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5
Untape the far side ends of the braided cords. Tie ends around the prefabricated bracket on second piece of the plastic slide release buckle. Lather the knots with permanent epoxy to secure the bond.
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6
Repeat steps 2 through 5 to complete the other strap.
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7
Snap each strap together with its respective buckle end. Each strap now forms at 20-inch wide circle.
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8
Place one strap in perpendicular position on top of the left side of the backpack that presses flush against your back. Adjust the strap so the buckle is at the high point of the circle. Sew the 8 inches of the strap into the backpack in this position.
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9
Repeat Step 8 with the second strap for the right side of the backpack.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Zedcor Wholly Owned/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
