The550CordShop only sells MADE IN THE USA Parachute cord What is 550 cord? Parachute cord is the lightweight nylon cord used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Now it is used as a general purpose utility cord by both the military and civilians. The braided sheath has a high number of interwoven strands giving it a smooth texture. The all-nylon construction makes parachute cord weather and fade resistant Would I ever need 550 cord? We certainly hope you don't but life can be unpredictable. "Good Luck happens when preparedness meets opportunity."-Unknown "I will prepare and someday my chance will come." -- Abraham Lincoln "No rope. And only last night you said to yourself: "Sam, what about a bit of rope? You'll want it if you haven't got it". Well, I want it and I can't get it now."-- Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" Why would I want to carry parachute cord? In an emergency you could use the parachute cord for many life saving applications. Rope is just a practical thing to have during an emergency, and it hardly gets more versatile than Military Spec MIL-C-5040 Type III 550 Parachute Cord. There are many ways to keep parachute cord handy. The most popular is in the form of a survival bracelet or belt. There are a wide variety of colors, so you can make your bracelet or belt to match your clothes, your team, YOUR STYLE.