I just ordered another pack of Velcro One-Wrap cable ties, and it felt like a good time to sing some praise for them.
These are FANTASTIC for taming and organizing cables, such as USB cables, charging cables, power cables, and other types of prone-to-unruliness cords and cables.
They’re inexpensive, reusable, and they hold up over time.
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The Vecro One-Ties are perforated and easy to separate, but you could also use longer lengths if needed. They’re also inexpensive enough that you can cut them up for shorter lengths as well.
Each individual cable wrap measure 8″ x 1/2″.
Many cables can be wrapped with a single strip for tidy storage and quicker access.
Heavier cables sometimes require two wraps.
These are not well suited for larger and heavier extension cords. For example, they might work okay for 15″ 16-gauge AC cords, but definitely not for 50-foot 12-gauge cords.
Velcro offers similar ties in a range of colors, but I’ve found that black and grey ties are the most economical if you don’t need color-coding.
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The pre-cut notch separates these from cut-to-size and plain strips of Velcro wrap. I typically use it for the first-wrap, to cinch everything tight, but you can also use it for retention purposes.
You can wrap the first loop around your cord, and through the notch, to secure the tie to your cable. This helps to ensure that the tie is immediately at-hand when it’s time to put a cord and cable away. There are other benefits as well, such as when securing wiring to trusses, poles, and other such structures.
I was once wary about the thinness of these Velcro ties, but in my experiences so far, there are no downsides.
Pricing (as of the time of this posting):
50-pack (25 black + 25 grey) – $5.68 at Amazon
100-pack (black) – $11.40 at Amazon
150-pack (75 black + 75 grey) – $11.85 at Amazon
Velcro also makes many other sizes, styles, and lengths of reusable cable ties, but this is the size I use most.
I have used many dozens of these cable wraps over the past 8+ years, and so far I’ve had zero regrets. Velcro changed the branding and packaging a while back, but I haven’t noticed any change in quality.
Do you need something different? Check out these other types of reusable cable ties:
Jorhay
Velcro makes larger and heavier ones suited for extension cords. We color coded the cord length with the tie for easy ID at a glance when I worked behind the scenes stage supply. Personally I love the thin wraps for small gauge stuff. They used to(?) Make narrow width velcro ties as well.
Matt the Hoople
LOL. You posted this like 40 seconds before I posted my comment below pondering if they make these for extension cords.
I like the idea of color coding by length.
Thanks.
Stuart
Rip-Tie makes larger ties suited for heavier extension cords, but they are also much pricey. https://amzn.to/3KohwYW
I cannot find a good source, but Rip-Tie also makes cinching straps with a plastic loop. I have a few that I like, but they’re even pricier. They have a new “Rip-Lock” style that I have not tried yet.
Velcro now makes something similar – cinching straps. There’s a 12pc variety pack for just over $1/piece. https://amzn.to/3MsgJHQ
razl
Quick note on those cinching straps – they are unlike the velcro straps which are fully double sided and can stick at any length.
I believe those cinching straps, and almost all others like them, only have the other second side “sticky” at a certain point. Meaning they can only attach at one predetermined length. The only other option is to twist it so you can get the two “sticky” sides facing each other but the twist makes it bulky/messy.
I say all this because I spent a lot of time last year looking for, essentially, larger cinch style straps but that were fully two sided velcro like the small strips and could not find any. I was literally shocked that somebody doesn’t make them or that they were impossible to find.
See the comments in the product listing for more of what I’m talking about.
Matt the Hoople
I have three kids so we have laptops, chrome books, iPhones, iPads, Bluetooth speakers, VR headsets, digital cameras, rechargeable power packs and all of the requisite chargers and cords. I use the heck out of these things. Been using for years now and, like you, have never had an issue with any of them.
The retention feature is the best part. I see other people not use it and wonder if they realize that’s a feature.
Makes me wonder if someone makes something similar in a larger size for 50’ extension cords. Never looked but gonna now.
Jorhay
I wasn’t in purchasing, so I’m not sure where they came from, probably an industrial wire provider, but they came to my department in 1000 ct spools in 12, 18 and 24 inch lengths. I think a couple of widths were available as well. Always put the strap at the female plug end, that way you could hang the plug if needed. The male end always plugs in to something, so shouldn’t be a need to secure it at that end.
Matt the Hoople
That’s a good point. I often run an extension cord across the basement or out back and need to keep it up off the ground and out of the way.
King duck
In most garden sections they sell I think a 100’by .5” roll of Velcro with a holder and built in cutter it might not be as strong as this but being able to make a nice neat reusable wrap is damn handy.
MoogleMan3
Those thin one wraps used to be a good value, but not at current prices. I much prefer the heavier one wrap rolls. Walmart/amazon has a 1.5″ wide x 15yd long roll for just under $17: https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-ONE-WRAP-Double-Sided-Multi-Purpose/dp/B00JWU77N2
I cut to length, then cut again across the width to end up with 3/4″ wide x whatever length I need ties. They do sell the one wrap rolls in 3/4″ width, but it’s more economical to just buy the 1 1/2″ roll and cut the width in half. https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-ONE-WRAP-Bundling-Length/dp/B09V5HFZVY
Stuart
They were the same ~$6 for 50 when I had a shorter post in these 8 years ago.
I don’t recall seeing these for any less money. Seems like a good value to me.
Cut-to-length ties have their benefits too, but I like the tool-free convenience of these, and the loop notch.
I use cut-to-size green gardening Velcro for my plants.
MoogleMan3
Looking at my amazon order history, they had the 100 packs for ~$4 in 2015. I still have a couple of packs from when I stocked up; it seems they all went up in price, even the monoprice variants.
Like you said, both have their place, though these days I gravitate towards the roll since I prefer cutting the length I need rather than making 10 loops around a couple of cables. 😉
Cables that frequently get wound and unwound I still use the thinner velcro ties because of the loop that keeps it on the cable.
Stuart
I’m sorry – I took a closer look and you’re kind of right.
In late November 2014, I bought a 100-pack of black ties for $5.74 plus tax from Amazon.
But in early November 2014, I bought two 50-tie black and grey backs for $5.99 each, plus tax.
Looking at my now-redirected old post, retail store pricing was ~$6 for 50 at the time too.
Maybe the bulk packs varied a bit, I wish I had more data points.
Matt the Hoople
Cinch straps and the double sided cut to length Velcro is all good. What those miss is the slot that lets you feed the strap through so that you can keep it semi-permanently secured to the cord.
To me, that’s the real benefit…not having to keep up with the tie.
Steve
I use lots of these in the workshop/garage. Almost everything with a cord that isn’t plugged in all the time, and some things that are, have velcro bundling up the cords, even the corded power tools.
fred
When corded tools were king – we’d use short lengths of #14 or #12 wire as twist ties. There always seemed to be short offcuts of NMC on jobsites that were up for grabs for this use – and/or for the guys who collected scrap copper and brass.
Jim Felt
I’ve an electrical contractor friend who fills 55 gal drums with cutoffs after running them through his stripping machine.
He’s financed countless model railroad acquisitions this way. Especially in these occasional times of commodity price spikes.
We once did the equivalent during the Bunker Hunt caused silver boom in the days of film processing.
fred
I remember the Hunt Brothers attempt to corner the silver market and the crazy (but fleeting) prices that their foibles caused.
We have a Georg Jensen silver service for 12 that was appraised at some astronomical value – probably should have sold it at the time and just bought a more practical SS set.
fred
i saw these and some 10inch ones near the checkout at the Container store
https://www.containerstore.com/s/5”-untie-ribbon-cable-ties/d?q=UNTIE&productId=11004549
They looked interesting but not at the selling price. The voice in my head also said that the spot in which they were displayed was meant for sucker-impulse buying.
Nite-Ize also sell (Amazon, HD, Lowes etc.) a variety of reusable ties that I’ve used:
https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Gear-Tie-Assorted/dp/B00BF0U35G/
They come in various lengths – tiny to extra long
Velcro straps probably do have most of the competition beat on price and lying flat – but they can sometimes accumulate bits of debris.
I’ve also tried plastic ratcheting-action Cable Cuffs over the years and kind of have a love/hate feeling about them. They often don’t cinch up as tightly as you might like.
Stuart
I’ve tried the Nite Ize, and they’re okay, but very different. I bought a small pack to try out, but they didn’t suit my needs very well.
Jim Felt
I’ve used these extensively and other then occasionally literally snapping them apart through carelessness really like them and their actual handle.
Gardner Bender ParkPower CW-T3RR25 Each Cable Wraptor-Large, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TRI1MG/
fred
Also these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mini-Cable-Clic-Orange-KN0630U/204806696
frampton
These are excellent for cable management which has always been a struggle for me. I used to use zip ties which work great until you need to reroute something or add a device. – then it’s a fiasco. Velcro straps offer much more flexibility.
George
I am using about 200+ of these — based on the fact that I am into the 3rd 100 pack at this point — around my home for all kinds of cable management. Super useful, movable/reusable, and cheap.
About the only issue I have is all the hole punch outs are still on the roll and I have to be careful they don’t end up on the floor as I use new ties where the smaller denizens might find them.
Wayne R.
I’ve always thought that those little incompletely punched hole pieces must still be there for a reason, but I haven’t figured out what that is yet. Anyone?
Stuart
I always assume that it’s left behind from the way the perforations and cuts are made. It’s far easier and cheaper for users to have to deal with it than to remove them during manufacture.
MM
That’s my belief as well.
Michael
Strips of standard (un-notched) velcro ties for cable tidy work pretty well also. I’ve tried the notched versions, and also the nite ize alternative, but I prefer un-notched:
– neater if infrequently untied (since constant width)
– no need to slide the tie down the entire cable length if it happens to be in the wrong place when it comes to re-tie (just reposition at will)
– available in whatever length you want (the notched ones can be cut obviously, but it feels like you’re using it wrong to do that)
– same roll can be used for non-cable tie tasks
They do tend to float around a bit and go missing when the cable is “in use”, but you can wrap it around the cable or stick it on to something else.
Wayne R.
A second small piece can make the larger piece “captive” in the same sense that these thin type ends can be wrapped/captive to a cable.
Jbongo
I love Velcro cable ties. One different use I found for them was holding blackberry plants in place. It can securely attach it to my wire and then I wrap the soft side to the inside and I’ve never had a problem.
fred
They also sell green velcro for garden tasks:
https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-VEL-30071-USA-Adjustable-Green-Recycled/dp/B082VH421C/
When the need is for something much larger there are these tree ties that come in different gauges:
https://www.amazon.com/Dimex-EasyFlex-100-Feet-FirmFlex-1100-2/dp/B00TIK5YVS/
eddie sky
Hook and Loop ties we refer to them. Plus Leviton makes rolls in colors. I prefer the ties since you can loop the end through to secure on a cable end, like an extension cord.
My old workplace used to get really strong ones, plus some for plenum wires (berry color). I found a bunch stuck inside my hoodie I would wear in unheated data closets. Actually got yelled at for keeping the roll. WTF
Phil
What I do… is use nothing but the cord itself.
Rope. Cords. Tools. Usb cord. Shoe laces. Anything at all. Fold extension cords or any type of cords. Grab the plug ends . Now make small loops with plug ends hanging lower than loops. Near the end wrap around the loops to choke tight and divied loops in 2. Then slide the end through top loop. Now hang. You can also do this for any cord in use in a permanent location too… if it’s too long. I have never damaged a cord in over 20 years
Phil
Organized… but above all when done correctly… I never need to untangle a cord in over 20 years. That’s alot of time and aggravation saved. U simply reverse the steps to un wind.
JR Ramos
I love these cable wraps. Use whatever you have but these have been hands down favorites for myself and in our office. I wish they made some smaller ones in the same design (something like the nifty ones that Seasonic and some other brands include in their power supplies).
I’m not sure why but wow has the price of Velcro-branded velcro things gone up lately. Not just the retail-packaged products but the bulk material, too.
Joe H
I use One Tie tie straps and will never use the velcro straps again. The One Tie straps are tougher and don’t wear out like velcro or care of they get dirty and don’t cling to other gear and tear up nylon. I loop the One Ties around an end of the extension cord so it stays in place and then one more wrap secures the cord. Its less fiddly then the velcro which often sticks to itself before you finish the bundle. I have years of use with One Ties and don’t have a complaint. The extra end that sticks out makes use as like a handle that I can grab the cords and toss bundles quickly and easily in a truck. Velcro would tear up my recovery ropes and ratchet straps but I wrap those with One Ties too.
Koko The Talking Ape
Super handy.
For my big extension cords, I use pieces of braided nylon cord. 2mm (1/16″) “accessory” cord is fine; paracord is overkill. Just tie one end to the extension cord near one plug, and tie an overhand knot in the other end of the nylon cord. To use, just wrap a few times around the bundle, then just tuck the free end with the knot into the bundle. It’s surprisingly secure, but if you want, you can tie the free end to the bundle.
Compared to velcro ties, nylon cord is a bit slower to use, but is cheaper, stronger and longer-lasting. It also can be used for cord. It’s available in bright colors and even with reflective threads.
I don’t like the alternatives listed, because elastic and rubber eventually lose their stretch, and because the resistance depends on how far they’re stretched, and thus upon the size of the bundle being wrapped. So it’s hard to wrap a big thing loosely and a small thing tightly. At least the Think Tank “Red Whips” have a cord lock to adjust the loop size, and that’s the one out of the several I would use.
fred
Larger diameter rope is also useful for making handles for chests or for carrying bulky items. One of the simpler forms is to slip a hand-sized length of rubber hose onto a short length of rope (to act as a handle) and then tie the ends together with a square knot. The circle thus formed can be doubled-up around a coil of hose etc. with one side slipped through the other – the handle facing up and used to grip and carry the object. In the scouts we retired climbing rope after it had experienced too many falls and was no longer suitable even for use as a static rope. Usually, this rope was still good for other uses.
Koko The Talking Ape
Absolutely.
A short length of climbing rope (actually “rescue” rope, because it’s not kernmantle, I guess) inside a piece of tubular nylon webbing forms the handle to my messenger bag. I had a lady at REI sew it on for me, back when they had a repair and alteration service.
MT_Noob
Yep I love these. Every new device with a cable or power plug gets one of these on it during unpacking, and then the power adapter or power supply gets a label on it from a label maker so I know what is what on the power strip. I don’t think I could keep my sanity without these cable ties for cable management and a label maker for labeling what is what.
The-Dung
For routing cables around computer workstation, home theater, gaming, vr, I prefer the minimalist cable strap cut to length similar to the one here. Not sure their hook and loop style is called velcro but they can twist very tight around for a neat look.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07JC94GTC/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A1Q6RGBQ6XRL7&psc=1
Kilroy
The “Wrap-It” straps have a metal grommet to hang from a nail, a good bit of heavily reinforced/stitched nylon strap with Velcro attached to it, are rated at holding 50 lbs, and a few bucks each at Walmart.
I have yet to use them for their intended purpose, to be honest, but they worked well at looping around the handles of the kitchen cabinets to keep the cats out of those (at least, before I upgraded to magnetic childproof cabinet locks), and are very well made.
The “Wrap-It” straps were able to keep two very curious/determined/food-motivated cats with sharp claws from getting to their treats without any damage to the straps, so they get my vote of confidence.
As I have them, I’ll be using them to wrap and hang bundles of coiled extension cords and probably even smaller boards in the future.
Charles
For longer term storage – or for putting them into boxes, use toilet paper (or paper towel) cardboard tubes to store cables.
Not only can you write on the tube, but it actually keeps thicker cords neater and they won’t get tangled with other cords.
I’m always amazed at how tough these things are and will hold even heavier cables.
If you fold the cable in half (so both ends are together), then keep folding it, then even the heavier cables (like 3 prong computer cables) fit with ease.