I see lots of mentions of "thin nylon cord" as a lightweight alternative to 550 paracord. Makes sense to me that I wouldn't need paracord to hold up my tarp.<br><br>But what do you all recommend for thinner cordage? The only thing that looks appealing to me is the braided mason's twine I see a Home Depot.<br><br>Any other suggestions or favorites?<br><br>Bear

Unless it has changed in the last few years, masons twine is cotton, which will stretch like crazy. Visit a store with climbing gear and look at what they usually call accessory cord. This stuff is smaller than paracord and much stronger. Kinda expensive too, unfortunately...

Or look online for 1/8 inch or 2 mm sizes of Spectra, Vectrus,<br>or other hi-tech cords. <br><br>They are pricey, but the Vectrus, for example, has a break strenght of 2,000 pounds (vs 550 for paracord), you can tease a single strand out of the braid to use for fishing, etc, without having to take the sheath off and basically ruin the cord (like paracord), and it floats and doesn't absorb water.

I like the tarred nylon line used to make trawls. It comes in various tests and lasts a looong time. Available at local fishing stores and Wal-Mart.

Nylon mason's twine is readily available, although most of it is laid (i.e., "twisted"). What is a little difficult to find is braided nylon mason's line. It is quite useful for numerous applications and like all things nylon is easily whipped by melting with a match.

200 feet spool of braided nylon line for anchoring duck decoys was $5.00 at Walmart. No test strength is listed on the packaging, but I haven't broken any yet. Then again I haven't towed my Cherokee with it either (definitely a CK requirement).

I've just switched from nylon mason line to braided Spectra in the 150 pound strength. You can get 200 feet of it for less than 12 dollars in a kite store. This is much thinner than mason line for approximately the same strength (150 vs 165 lbs). It's more UV resistant and water resistant, and has nearly no stretch.

I'm on my way to the kite store NOW to check out that braided spectra...<br><br>Prior to that my all time favorite has been U-Haul braided synthetic composit which is thin, high strength, inexpensive and abrasion resistent! But, not all U-Haul stores carry it. I just stopped in to one this morning and he quit stocking it years ago. He said it is available but most people just want to pay for cotton clothes line, not good stuff. :)<br><br>Braided Spectra...

The Spectra price was incredibly high. The cord was not much smaller than the U-Haul cord and 30 times more expensive!!! Perhaps due to the kite store being at the beach. I like the idea of Spectra but please tell me where you found it for $12. <br><br>The U-Haul cord is braided polyester blend, 300 lb. test and $2.50 for 30 yards. Product #49000 Twine.<br><br>I did an extensive search on-line and several phone calls about braided Spectra. The prices vary by as much as 90%. The availability is none, so far, although it's on hundreds of web sites as available... but so far none have any in stock.<br><br>Nylon, braided mason and utility line from the builders supply store is very good as well. 166 yards, braided, 155 pound strength, abrasion resistant and $6.

If you can't find Spectra in an online store - check e-bay.<br><br>Spectra in 150 lb test is sold as fishing line under different brand names, usually in spools of 100 or 500 yards..<br><br>I vote for the heavier cord, but if 150 lb test is what you're looking for, its easy to find.