I've seen many posts recently referring to the use of "Ranger Bands" as I understand it, these are just segments of bicycle innertube. Is this infact the case? And does anyone know where they earned the name Ranger Band?

In the traditional sense, you're correct. I've heard that they were often used by US Army Rangers for holding gear together, etc. If you haven't already, check out:<br>http://www.therangerdigest.com/Tips___Tricks/RANGER_BANDS/ranger_bands.html<br><br>Apparently some companies now are marketing large, heavy-duty rubber bands as "ranger bands", now. I'll stick to the free version myself.<br><br>I've started making a few this past week. I got 2 popped bike inner tubes from a local bike shop for no charge. One is about 3/4" in diameter, and the other is about 1 1/4 in diameter. I'm still looking for something a little larger, maybe 1 1/2 - 2 inches. Beggars can't be choosy, though, right?<br><br>Haven't nailed down "tons" of uses for them, yet, but will be finding some soon, I'm sure.

These ranger bands (or small black rubber bands as we call them here / Big black rubber bands are those from car inner tubes) are all over my combat webbing ( i'm currently in the reserves after 2.5 years of National Service). It's great for attaching and holding items in place e.g. keep your bayonet in place, your water bottle from jiggling all over the place and holding down your whistle, ear plugs and all sorts of other small items.<br><br>Whilst it is useful on a combat webbing, I'm not too sure how good it translates to everyday urban use, except to use as, well, a small black rubber band to hold the altoids tin closed. And to burn as tinder....

I like the little things a lot. Mostly for shooting people with. These things can really fly. However, as said they are good tinder, and they burn real hot, if not just a little hard to light at first. If you cut one at an angle, so you have a little sliver sticking up, it lights a lot easier. They are also good for holding things together, and give a good grip on something that is being used as a handle/grip for instance my M16 pistol grip. They would probably work good on a hatchet, knife, or spear as well. <br><br>Food for thought. Equipment is only limited by the imagination.

I haven't tried it yet, but they could be used for lashing poles/branches such as one might do to create a shelter. Slid one onto the the end of a branch a few inches down from the end. Place the branch up against a smal diameter tree (not too big, not too small). Pull the band around the back of the tree trunk and back over the end of the branch.<br><br>It may not hold a lot of weight, but it would be fast. That would be useful if you were in dire need of shelter, ASAP. If it holds well, it would allow you to save your paracord that you would have used for lashing.