• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Manly Skills

Fieldcraft Tips: The 550 cord Chain Knot

July 26, 2018 by Blake Miles 16 Comments

Of all the pieces of equipment I can remember using during my time on a detachment and during training, few can compare with the versatility and usefulness of 550 cordage. This cordage is the same type used in military parachutes and has saved my ass in a variety of ways. One of the biggest downsides of 550 cord, particularly when trying to access some in the middle of the woods at night with zero illumination, is its maddening tendency to get tangled if not stored properly.

All Hail Chain Knot

The last thing I want to be doing when I need cordage to tie off shelter or secure equipment is to be left standing with my cord in my hand (trying to get it untangled, I mean). Here’s a simple solution that can find many uses, even in civilian life!

To be honest, I’m not sure of the name of this type of knot/rope storage, but it creates a constant loop of the cord folding back into itself. When pulled from the running end of the cord, the second loop releases the first loop as the third loop releases the second, and so on until you have the exact amount of rope you need. No tangles, no freezing-numb fingertips, no insanity-induced frustration from finding a pile of cordage has exploded in your pack!

The coolest thing is that you can pre-loop any amount of cordage you deem necessary, load it into a rucksack or backpack and leave a small strand of the running end poking out so you can pull and cut at a moment’s notice.

This works just as well on things like outdoor extension cords. It saves space in your garage, avoids

tangles and looks cool. I’ve gotten some “WTF” looks from more than one of my neighbors when they see the cord in an odd tangle, but instantly recognize the value of the loop structure. It’s easy to re-loop once you’re finished, and even easier to teach!

First, start with an end-of-the-line bowline to create a fixed loop.

Next, reach through the loop and pull the running end through the fixed loop,

just enough to create another loop.

Repeat until complete. As I reach the end and once I cut cordage from the bundle, I tie a simple half hitch back over the end loop to avoid it from coming loose.

Just be sure to pull from the right end or you’ll spend an hour trying to figure out why the damned loops aren’t pulling loose from each other (I’ve been there more than once, for some reason).

 

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
    SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • Black Widow and the Brain: Palladyne and Red Cat Prove the Future Is Autonomous
    Black Widow and the Brain: Palladyne and Red Cat Prove the Future Is Autonomous
  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Jared Mize on The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife: A Commando Blade That Changed Special Forces Forever
  • GomeznSA on MAC-10: The Wild History of America’s Most Iconic (and Overrated) Submachine Gun

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: Military Helps Search for Flood Victims, Russia Warns US Against Forming Security Alliance

Military

How Pete Hegseth Is Rewiring the Pentagon for Drone Warfare

Editorial Cartoon

SOFREP Saturday Cartoon: From Kremlin to Casket

Expert Analysis

How America Can Help Ukraine Break Putin’s Teeth: 3 Brutal Moves to End This War for Good

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...