For anyone in the “Make Your Own Gear” (MYOG) community, there is a deep satisfaction in creating a piece of equipment that is perfectly tailored to your needs. We obsess over the weight of our fabrics, the layout of our patterns, and the quality of our stitching. We are a community of makers dedicated to getting every single detail right.

But as any experienced gear maker knows, a project’s true durability often lies in its smallest, hardest-working components: the webbing, the binding, and the elastic cord. The main fabric of a backpack might get all the glory, but it’s the webbing on the shoulder straps that carries the load. Choosing the proper narrow goods is a critical decision that impacts the strength, finish, and long-term performance of your gear. It’s where a good project becomes a great, bomb-proof one.

To ensure your next creation can withstand years of abuse on the trail, here is a guide to selecting the right narrow goods for the job.

Webbing

Webbing is the backbone of any high-stress gear item. It’s used for backpack straps, compression straps, and any point where you need incredible tensile strength. The material you choose is critical.

• Nylon Webbing: This is the gold standard for strength and abrasion resistance. It’s incredibly tough, which makes it the top choice for the parts of your gear that will see the most wear and carry the most load, like the main straps on a backpack. Its one downside is that it can absorb water and stretch slightly when wet.
• Polypropylene Webbing: This webbing is lightweight, affordable, floats on water, and absorbs very little moisture. However, it has a lower breaking strength and is less resistant to UV degradation than nylon or polyester. It’s a good choice for lighter-duty applications or for gear used in marine environments.
• Polyester Webbing: This is a fantastic all-around choice that offers a “best of both worlds” profile. It has excellent strength, very low stretch (even when wet), and superior resistance to UV rays. This makes it a great option for any high-stress application that will see a lot of sun exposure.

Binding and Grosgrain

The way you finish the raw edges of your fabric seams is what separates a professional-looking project from a homemade one. A binding tape not only prevents the fabric from fraying but also adds a clean, durable, and polished look to the inside of your gear.

• Grosgrain Ribbon: A polyester or nylon grosgrain ribbon is a classic choice for binding internal seams. It’s very strong, stable, and comes in a huge variety of colors.
• Fold-Over Elastic: For finishing the stretchy edges of a backpack’s side pockets or the hood of a jacket, a soft, fold-over elastic is the perfect choice. It provides a clean finish and a stretchy, functional closure.

Elastic Cord and Shock Cord

This versatile cord is essential for adding dynamic functionality to your gear. It’s used for everything from cinching down the hood of a rain jacket and lashing a sleeping pad to the outside of a pack to keeping a water bottle secure in a side pocket.

When choosing a shock cord, the most important factor is the quality of the outer sheath. Look for a cord with a durable, tightly woven sheath made from a UV-resistant material like polyester. A cheap, low-quality sheath will quickly fray and degrade in the sun, causing the elastic inside to lose its stretch and fail.

Hook and Loop

Commonly known by the brand name Velcro, hook and loop fasteners are used all over outdoor gear for securing flaps, attaching modular pockets, and creating adjustable closures. When you’re choosing a hook and loop for a demanding outdoor project, look for a sew-in variety that is designed for heavy-duty use. Check the product’s “cycle life,” which is a measure of how many times it can be opened and closed before it starts to lose its grip.

The mark of a truly professional DIY gear project is the attention to detail. By carefully selecting the right narrow goods to match the specific demands of your project, you can create a finished piece that is not only functional but also incredibly durable and ready for a lifetime of adventure.