When you think of versatile tools, bungee cords might come to mind, but there’s a lesser-known hero in the same family – bungee tape.
This flat, elastic wonder is more than just a variation on the traditional round bungee cord. With its unique design and adaptability, bungee tape offers a wide range of practical applications that can simplify, secure, and even inspire creativity in your daily life.
Whether you’re organising your workspace, making quick repairs, or getting ready for an outdoor adventure, bungee tape’s flat, stretchy nature makes it an indispensable tool.
In this post, discover everything you need to know about bungee tape – what it is, how it differs from other bungee products, and the many ways you can use it. From the home and garden to office and school settings, bungee tape proves that sometimes, flat really is better.
Strap yourself in as we explore our top 13 uses for bungee tape.
What is bungee tape?
Bungee tape, or flat elastic bungee tape, is a flat alternative to round bungee cords. Made with a multi strand natural rubber core and braided polypropylene outer cover, bungee tapes are hard wearing, weatherproof and UV resistant – ideal for a wide range of uses and applications.
Bungee tape comes in 3 different sizes/widths: 11mm, 16mm, and 22mm.
What is the difference between bungee tapes, bungee cord, and bungee straps?
Whilst bungee tape is flat, bungee cords are rounded and can be customised the same way as bungee tapes. Bungee straps, on the other hand, are bungee assemblies made of simply cut pieces of bungee tape with flat bungee hooks attached to each end.
General Uses of Bungee Tape
Bungee tape offers a variety of practical uses due to its stretchability, strength, and versatility. It’s perfect for securing items, making temporary repairs, organising, and more. Let’s explore some of its more general applications.
1. Securing loose items
Bungee tape, with its flat profile, is ideal for securing loose items during transport. The flat design provides more surface contact, compared to a round bungee cord, distributing pressure more evenly and making it perfect for securing items without causing damage or leaving marks.
Examples of how you could use bungee tape to secure loose items includes tying things down to your roof rack, attaching bike accessories to your bike frame, and bundling up your camping gear together.
2. Temporary repairs
Bungee tape is incredibly useful for quick fixes and temporary repairs, and is often found in many household toolkit essentials. Its flexibility and strong hold make it a go-to solution for situations where traditional adhesives might not work.
This could be helpful if your tent pole breaks or the fabric tears, then bungee tape can be used to hold everything together, or if your clothing was to rip, then bungee tape can be wrapped around the affected area, providing a temporary fix that will hold until you can properly mend the item.
Bungee tape can also be used to quickly repair or reinforce broken equipment, like supporting fishing rods, fixing tool handles, or even temporarily replacing straps on backpacks. Its stretch and grip keep everything in place until a more permanent solution is available.
3. Organising and tidying up
Bungee tape is an excellent tool for organising the shed, around the house, or your workspace. Its flat design allows it to be wrapped tightly and securely around items without slipping – making it perfect for bundling and organising.
Bungee straps are often the go-to solution for keeping cables neat and organised, to store your garden tools, and even organising your bungee cord collection. This not only helps to make your belongings more organised, but it can also make them safer – especially if you have curious little ones around.
Outdoor and adventure uses
In outdoor and adventure settings, bungee tape’s flat, stretchy nature makes it an essential tool. Whether you’re securing gear or setting up camp, bungee tape is versatile enough to handle a variety of situations.
4. Camping and hiking
For camping and hiking, flat bungee tape is an invaluable piece of kit in your camping backpack essentials. Its ability to stretch and hold without damaging surfaces makes it perfect for securing gear and setting up camp.
You can use bungee tape to secure tents or tarps to stakes or trees, to make a makeshift hammock or clothesline, or to hang food bags out of reach from animals. The flat design allows for a snug fit, reducing the risk of slippage during high winds or heavy rain.
5. Water sports
In water sports, bungee tape is ideal for securing items, because it’s resistant to water and can withstand the elements. Its flat shape ensures that items are held firmly without causing damage.
Common uses of bungee tape in water sports include securing items when boating or kayaking, such as paddles, life vests, and other essentials – preventing them from getting lost in the water.
6. Emergency situations
In emergencies, bungee tape can be a vital tool. Its ability to stretch and hold securely can help stabilise injuries or secure gear in critical situations.
Bungee tape can be used as a makeshift tourniquet, sling, or to secure splints in place. Its flat design spreads pressure evenly, making it more comfortable for the patient. You can find more bungee cord survival hacks in our guide, for invaluable ways to use bungee cords, tape, and paracord.
Home and garden uses
Bungee tape’s flat design makes it perfect for a range of home and garden applications. Its ability to stretch and hold securely without damaging surfaces makes it a versatile tool for various tasks.
7. Gardening
In the garden, flat bungee tape can be used to tie plants and make quick repairs to your garden furniture.
Bungee tape is perfect for tying up plants or securing branches, because the flat tape is gentle on stems and won’t cut into them – providing support without causing damage.
Also, if a piece of garden furniture breaks, bungee tape can provide a temporary fix to hold it together securely. You could even use bungee tape to fix your trampoline! The flat tape distributes pressure evenly, reducing the risk of further damage.
Many people also use bungee tape to stop garden furniture flying away in windy weather, as well as for securing tarp and covers in wet weather.
8. Home decor
Bungee tape can also have many creative uses around the home, including home decor projects, by adding a functional and stylish element to your designs.
Not only can you use bungee tape to create a flexible, adjustable system for hanging pictures, but you can also wrap bungee tape around objects to add texture or colour, or use it to create custom wall hangings.
9. Childproofing
Bungee tape’s strong, flat design makes it an excellent tool for childproofing your home, securing cabinets, drawers, and other areas.
You can wrap bungee tape around handles or knobs to prevent children from opening cabinets and drawers, or use bungee tape to secure areas with hazardous materials, such as cleaning supplies or sharp objects. The flat design makes it difficult for little hands to remove, providing an effective barrier, and its strong hold ensures that these areas stay closed and secure.
Creative and crafty uses
Bungee tape’s flat, stretchy design makes it a unique material for various arts and crafts projects. Its versatility allows it to be used in creative ways that traditional materials might not allow.
10. Arts and crafts
Bungee tape is a great addition to any craft project, offering both functional and decorative possibilities.
The flat, stretchy nature of bungee tape makes it perfect for creating bracelets, necklaces, or other wearable crafts, and its flexibility allows for easy wear and adjustment.
Bungee tape can also be used to create custom storage solutions for your craft projects, like hanging organisers or bins. The flat tape provides a strong, flexible support that can be tailored to fit your needs.
11. Costume and fashion
In fashion and costume design, bungee tape offers unique possibilities for both creation and repair.
Bungee tape can be used to add structure or elasticity when creating costumes. Its flat design ensures that it lies smoothly against the body, providing a comfortable fit – quite like normal thick elastic – if you run out.
Also, if a strap breaks on a bag or piece of clothing, bungee tape can provide a quick fix. Its flat profile makes it easy to work with and ensures that the repair is discrete and durable.
Office and school uses
Bungee tape is also incredibly useful in office and school settings, where its ability to stretch and hold securely can help keep things organised and support various projects.
12. Office organisation and uses
Bungee tape can help in the office, to manage supplies, secure documents, or customise furniture.
You can use bungee tape to bundle pens, markers, or other supplies together, as the flat design ensures that items are held securely without slipping or rolling. You could also wrap bungee tape around stacks of documents or folders to keep them organised and easy to transport – providing a strong hold without damaging papers.
You could even make a bungee cord chair for your office, using bungee tape, or simply use it to add a touch of colour or functionality to office furniture, by wrapping bungee tape around chair legs or desk edges.
13. School organisation and uses
There are many ways to use bungee tape in the classroom, as it can be a valuable tool for a variety of projects and organisation solutions, offering flexibility and strength where traditional materials might not suffice.
Why not use bungee tape to secure components in science experiments or models? Its flat design provides a strong hold without interfering with the project – perfect for things such as building a catapult!
Bungee tape can also create flexible and adjustable displays for art projects, as the flat surface will ensure that artwork is held securely without damaging it.
If you’re looking for organisation tips, you can use bungee tape to keep classroom supplies organised, by bundling items together or securing materials to desks or shelves. And if computer mouses often go missing, use bungee tape to make a DIY mouse bungee!
When it comes to bungee products, we’d like to think we know a thing or two. Contact us today for expert bungee use advice, or explore our blog for guides on everything you can do with bungees.