The Best Bungee Cords with Hooks
Whether you are securing your overloaded kayak, building unique furniture, or organizing a cluttered space, there are few products more versatile than the trusty bungee cord. Offered in various lengths, colors, and thicknesses, a bungee cord has as many applications as you have ideas. Everyone from the stay-at-home parent to the outdoors enthusiast can find practical uses for our recommendations. Below we've gathered a few of our favorite hooked cords, ranging from the indestructible to the ultra-versatile.
Efficere 24-Piece Bungee Cord Assortment
Stretch the possibilities to the limit
The first questions any consumer should ask before purchasing a pack of bungee cords should always be about the quality of the material and the variety of the assortment. With this bundle, Efficere offers the perfect marriage of range and reliability. Starting with 14 traditional cords which vary in length from 10 to 40 inches, this set also includes a few smaller cords for miscellaneous uses. In addition to UV-resistant coating and a natural latex core, you can rest assured knowing the load you’re securing won’t end up a pile of rubbish on the side of the road.
Pros:
- Includes a storage jar with a handle
- Hooks are vinyl-coated to prevent metal-on-metal damage
Cons:
- Smaller cords are not very elastic
Kotap All-Purpose Light Duty Adjustable Bungee Cords
Tie down your troubles
Kotap rounds off our list for the simple fact that you can never have too many well-made bungee cords. Varying in length from 18–48 inches, the cords in this ten-pack are made of durable rubber and boast the most ingenious length-adjusting mechanism that we’ve come across. To adjust, simply pull the length of cable you wish to shorten up towards the hook and then back again to secure in the locking mechanism. Regardless of adjustments, all of Kotap’s offerings stretch to double their resting length, giving you tensile strength and sufficient size to secure just about anything you hold dear.
Pros:
- Non-scratch hook design
- Impressive price for the quality
- Individual cords are barcoded for easy resell
- All cords can be adjusted down to a minimum of 10 inches
Cons:
- The thick cord can dig into less durable products
Keeper Adjustable Flat Bungee Cord
You can count on me
If you’ve ever used bungee cords while moving, maybe you’ve had the displeasure of realizing the very instrument used to secure your valuables is also bending and damaging them. Yeah, you’re not the only one. Instead of relying on a cylindrical core, this bungee cord from Keeper utilizes a flat body that spreads across the length of the item you’re transporting, allowing for even weight distribution. As such, this reduces any potential damage and makes it much easier to transport your valuables.
Pros:
- Steel-core hook is much stronger than conventional hooks
- Premium-grade rubber
- Ideal for securing moving boxes to dollies without tearing cardboard
Cons:
- Although the jacket is UV-resistant, they don’t fare too well if they’re used outdoors for extended periods
SDTC Tech Bungee Cord with Carabiner Hook
Crush projects on your own accord
SDTC Tech is many things, but a weak bungee cord it is not. And if open-ended hooks strapped to the top of your car give you anxiety, SDTC has the remedy. To start, SDTC’s carabiner hook design makes securing your possessions a breeze. Secondly, the superior latex material is elastic enough to stretch to almost double the stationary length, yet rigid enough not to snap under the standard strain. In addition to the design, we were quite impressed with the product selection. Bundles can range from a four-pack of two-foot cords up to six feet. If you don’t want to chance a rubber rafting tube launching off your vehicle on the way to the river, there’s no better choice than SDTC.
Pros:
- All cords are 1/3 inch in diameter
- Carabiner can be replaced with ease
- Durable in all-weather conditions
Cons:
- Should not be used for super cumbersome loads
Rhino USA Bungee Cords
Variety is the spice of life
With this variety pack, Rhino USA’s goal is to give you the most versatile array of cords without breaking the bank. This 28-piece assortment has something for everyone: canopy ties to keep your goodies from blowing away, four standard cord lengths for securing everything from the car to the trash can lid, and clips to prevent your tarps from turning into swiss cheese.
Pros:
- Weight capacity of 185 pounds
- 3.5-mm-thick steel-core hook
- Carrying case included
Cons:
- Despite the company’s name, these are produced abroad
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common uses for bungee cords outside of moving or shipping?
With the advent of DIY furniture, bungee cords are so much more than a tool for getting supplies from point A to point B. For those who live in more rural areas, bungee cords are an inexpensive hedge against bears rifling through your trash cans at night. For the creatively inclined, stool seats, bracelets, and shoe organizers can be crafted with a little bit of ingenuity. As far as tasks around the home, everything from baby-proofing drawers to tying unwieldy plants is on the table. We’ve even heard of folks using bungee cords to craft curtain rods.
What factors should I consider when purchasing bungee cords?
The three most important factors to consider when choosing a bungee cord that will stand the test of time are hook type, core material, and outside coating. A well-crafted hook will usually be coated with a kind of plastic polymer to prevent scratches and will also contain a metal core. Outside coating, so long as it will stand up to UV rays and weather, is seldom an issue unless your cords are enduring the outdoor elements 24/7. Lastly, and most importantly, the core material is traditionally made of latex, rubber, or synthetic rubber. Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) has high elasticity, whereas synthetic rubbers (thermoplastic elastomers) fare better when subjected to moisture or changes in temperature.
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