Ranger Bands

R

racer944

Joined
Oct 12, 2007
Messages
127
I have noticed a lot of people keep ranger bands around their gear, and that they are virtually indispensable. I, however, do not have quite the imagination that some members here have, so I am wondering if you could show off creative uses for these big rubber bands. Also, if anyone has a great place to buy online that would be great!
 
You can used them as grips or securing down psk lids.

You can easily make them by cutting up old bicycle innertubes.
 
Usually just use them as the need presents itself. Creating a tie-down for pots, lashing small gear together, keeping your bladder mouthpiece connected to your backpack strap, PSK tins, firestarter material, lashing pouches to sheaths, etc...

I don't consider them any kind of 'must-have kit', but if you have a need for one they work pretty well (and for cheap).
 
Haven't used them yet. I keep meaning to head to the bike shop and ask if I can just have a couple of inner tubes that they're going to throw away anyhow.
 
They are great for bundling and using as a back up to keep things closed/switched off and so forth. They can also help get a fire started. The best gear has multiple uses, which is why items like duct tape and paracord are so popular.

Mountain bike tubes are good. I want to get by a couple motorcycle shops :)
 
motorcycle shops - ooooo, had not thought about that. Are they tubed tires?
 
I use them in place of lashing sticks for an A frame rig. Insert ends of sticks from opposite sides of band- then "wind" one up like an airplane prop. When you are finished with the rig, just unwind and take the band with you- no cutting up your cordage. Useful for making shooting sticks in this way.
Useful for fishing sling as well. Cut a hole for your thumb and one for the back of the spear, stretch band back and grasp spear, ease tip near fish and release grip on spear- band gives that quick thrust to impale fish.

2Door
 
I keep one on the sheath of my Becker Necker. It holds a min Bic lighter, a tiny LED, and a firesteel. Very handy.

You can an old bike tube free from most bike shops. One tube will make a TON of ranger bands.
 
Rubber bands can be used as "imprevious to water" fire starters. They won't catch sparks though.
 
Ravaillac said:
Rubber bands can be used as "imprevious to water" fire starters. They won't catch sparks though.
Click to expand...

That's where your handy-dandy alcohol gel hand cleaner does the trick. You can just about look at the stuff and get it lit.
 
Haven't used the actual Ranger Bands but have been using cut up bicycle intertube for a good bit now. They blow rubber bands out of the water. Not as stretchy but they hold up so much better, and as mentioned they burn pretty good too.

I'll have to ask around some of my buddies that ride motorcycles and see if any of them have old intertubes laying around.

Charlie
 
I use them quite a bit. I have lots of stuff ranger banded to the bottom of my BK-7 sheather below the pouch. I also keep one around my altoids kit to keep it closed and act as emergency tinder.

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Under the rubber is a space blanket, ACR whistle, five liter waterbag, three candles, PJ Cotton, a single edge razor and duct tape.

Just cut up an old bike innertube and you'll have a lifetime supply. Buying ranger bands would be like buying PJ treated cotton. MAc
 
Hmmmm, I think there's an old unused bike in the basement of my fraternity house....

Time to get to hackin...
 
about using them for fire...i have never had much success burning the bands, but i could be doing something wrong (like using the wrong kind of bands?)

i keep a couple around my bic lighter or matchsafe, depending on what i am carrying. i also have a 1/2 inch wide strip of duct tape wrapped around the bottom edge of the bic. my bic has become a mini repair/fire kit.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I liked "buying ranger bands is like buying PJ soaked cotton balls". Good perspective.
 
A few on a kydex sheath holds magnesium/flint bars, sharpeners, and if you cord wrap the sheath keeps it from unravelling, same on tin psk's
 
Car and truck inner tubes (tough to find these days) are super too! I keep a few on my packframe for holding "stuff". My g'pa taught me to make slingshots with 'em!
 
Blue Sky said:
Clever, it ranks as one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Is that as secure as it looks?
Click to expand...

It is even more secure than it looks. I need one finger through the split ring to remove the knife quickly, but two hands to replace it. (One hand holds the end of the inner tube open.) The fit is a function of knife size versus inner tube diameter.
 
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