Bungee cords are super stretchy and versatile for securing items together or bundling loose materials. Two popular bungee styles – flat bungee cords and flat bungee straps – provide extra strong binding while laying flat. But what’s the difference between these two bungees? We’ll outline the pros and cons of each.
Flat Bungee Cords
Flat bungee cords consist of multiple natural rubber latex tubes enclosed in a sturdy woven nylon sleeve. They have metal or plastic hooks at each end and come in varying widths from 1/4 inch to 2 inches.
Benefits for Purchasers:
Powerful stretch Latex core stretches up to 4X resting length for a tight hold.
Durable exterior Tough nylon sleeve protects the bungee inside.
Weather-resistant Handles exposure to sun, rain, snow, and humidity.
Flat profile Lays smoothly against objects without bulky edges.
Range of sizes Choose wider sizes for large/heavy items.
Ideal Uses:
Securing tarps Keep tarps tightly affixed over lumber, equipment, materials, etc.
Binding items Wrap around boxes, gear bags, sports equipment mats, and more.
Anchoring Stake down canopies, tents, sun shades, and temporary shelters.
Creating safety barriers Cordon off construction zones, event perimeters, dangerous areas.
Towing/pulling Attach to boats or equipment to pull through fields/worksites.
Benefits for Suppliers:
Mass producible Flat design allows high-volume automated manufacturing.
Cost-effective Nylon sleeve and latex core are inexpensive materials.
Customizable widths Offer a range to accommodate varied customer needs.
Branding Print company name/logo directly onto the nylon sleeve.
Durable goods Latex retains elasticity through repeated stretches.
Flat Bungee Straps
Flat bungee straps are made of stretchy woven fibers of rubber or elastic polymers. They come in a range of lengths from 6 inches to several feet, with slits at each end to attach hooks.
Benefits for Purchasers:
Custom lengths Available in many sizes or easily trimmed to your exact needs.
Lightweight Lighter than rubber cords, important for transport and hanging uses.
Comfortable Soft edges instead of hooks reduce scratchingrisk.
Easy to attach Built-in slits allow quick attachment of caribiners or tying.
Neat appearance Tidy, refined look for indoor use and visibility.
Ideal Uses:
Office organization Wrap cords, bind papers/files, hang tools/accessories.
Home décor Create curtains, swags, art mounts without hooks poking out.
Mounting Hang lighting, nets, screens, artwork, banners.
Boating Secure/tow inflatables, safely tie items without scratching.
Kids Make swings, hanging chairs, costumes without poke hazard.
Benefits for Suppliers:
Simple construction Weaving elastic polymers is easy and affordable.
Less hardware No need for hooks and tips like bungee cords.
Custom lengths Easily produce any size needed.
Flexible materials Work with rubber, polymers, or textile blends.
Value pricing Straps perceived as higher value though inexpensive to make.
Flat Bungee Cords vs. Flat Bungee Straps
So how do these two flat bungees compare? Here are some key considerations:
Strength: Flat bungee cords are considerably stronger due to their latex core. Straps are best for light duty uses.
Durability: Cords withstand abuse and weather better than straps, which can fray over time.
Security: Integrated metal hooks give cords more leverage and grip than straps with detachable hooks.
Appearance: Straps look more elegant and tidy due to lack of hooks and sheath design options.
Comfort: Bungee straps have soft edges and lack abrasive hooks.
Convenience: Straps allow easy customization by cutting to any length.
For applications requiring heavy duty gripping and holding power, flat bungee cords are the clear winner. But for lightweight indoor tasks where appearance is important, soft flexible straps have the edge.
At YooShing, we manufacture both flat bungee cords and flat bungee straps to suit any need. Our factory direct pricing means you get the best value on bulk orders. Visit www.yooshing.com to flatten your costs and get the right bungees for any situation!
