Where do you get 26 lbs for paracord? Mil Spec paracord is rated at 550 lbs; even if that's the breaking strength (which I didn't think it was) then the SWL would be 55 lbs, I think.

Other advantages, as others on this forum have pointed out, are that the mil spec paracord can be separated into smaller strands; the small inner strands can be used for fishing line, while the outer sheath is still strong enough to use for building a lean-to shelter.

Personally, I don't see the advantage to carrying "concealed" paracord - the belt I made just looks like macrame to anyone who doesn't know the secret, and encasing it in leather would make it harder to unravel, which kind of defeats the purpose. True, if I had to use the paracord in my belt I would end up without a belt, but if I needed one to keep my pants up, I suppose I could just cut a 40" length of paracord and use that. (In fact, I probably would just clip two of my beltloops together with a carabiner.)

Not that I want to discourage innovation; if the "concealed" issue is relevant to you, it seems like it would work. But I'm kinda proud of my "macrame" belt and wouldn't mind showing it off. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />