How Many Feet of Paracord Do You Need for Backpacking?

By Michael Ferguson

Backpacking is an incredible way to explore the outdoors and connect with nature. The right gear can make all the difference between a fun, successful trip and a miserable one.

Paracord is a versatile material that can be used for many purposes while backpacking, from setting up a shelter to creating an emergency rope bridge. But how much paracord do you really need?

General Guidelines

Paracord comes in many different sizes, but for backpacking most people will want to use seven-strand paracord with a diameter of at least 4mm. Generally speaking, you should plan on bringing around 50 feet of paracord per person for a two-week trip.

This should give you enough for basic needs such as lashing poles together for your shelter and tying down items in your pack. If you plan on doing more complex activities such as building rope bridges or rappelling then you may want to bring more than 50 feet per person.

Weight Considerations

Paracord is relatively lightweight compared to other materials, but it can add up quickly if you bring too much. A single 50-foot hank of 4mm paracord weighs around 6 ounces (170 grams), so 100 feet would be 12 ounces (340 grams). If you’re trying to keep your total pack weight down then it might be wise to stick with the 50 feet per person guideline and supplement your needs with other materials when necessary.

Solo Backpackers

If you’re planning on going out alone then you may want to bring closer to 75-100 feet of paracord per person depending on the type of trip and activities planned. This should give you enough material for basic needs such as shelter setup, plus some extra if needed for more complex projects or repairs.

Conclusion

How much paracord do you need for backpacking? It depends on the length of your trip and the activities planned but generally speaking, 50 feet per person for a two-week trip should suffice. Solo backpackers may want to bring closer to 75-100 feet depending on their planned activities, while keeping an eye on weight considerations if they’re trying to minimize pack weight.