Pack Essentials: Rigger’s Rubber Bands
Meet the most effective baby-proofing device I’ve found. It’s also pretty good at other things…
These Rigger’s Rubber Bands offered by ITS Tactical are a quick, inexpensive solution to many of life’s problems. Traditionally used by the skydiving community and the military, they are much more resistent to rotting than a regular rubber band. They’re not indestructible. I used them to secure the lid of a large box that stretched it probably over 10 times it’s size! It held the first couple of times (which I was impressed with), but after being taken on and off a few times it did snap. They’re great for securing webbing, excess straps (for example on my headtorch above) and generally keeping untidiness in check.
The most surprising use I’ve found is a good demonstration how tough they are. After being disappointed by the effectiveness of various cupboard door baby-proof solutions. I threw one of these across two cupboard handles and it held. We’ve since added these to various cupboards around the kitchen and even vertically to secure two drawers together. They’ve stood up to my 14-month-old’s eager pulling for a good few months now and they’re only showing minimal signs of wear.
These are so cheap for the number of uses you could get out of them and I highly recommend picking up a pack or two of these for your pack… or even your kitchen!
Anything I post up will have spent time in my pack; either joining me for specific trips or being carried with me every day.
Nat Wagstaff Editor-In-Chief
While I was researching packs for a 100km endurance hiking challenge, my interest in how we organise our gear gave birth to Pack Config, a place that inspires its readers to improve their own packs. What I carry, either daily or out on a hike, is constantly being refined as I discover new methods and products. More…
