Knots

Knots are a backpacker's best friend. Learn how to tie 8 essential knots with our step-by-step tutorials.

Learn these three knots to improve the pace and ease of setup on your hammock camping trips.

This loop attachment slides easily when it’s unweighted, but holds tight when you pull it. It’s a standard climbers’ knot that’s perfect for ascending out of a jam (or up a tree).

A handy knot that's instantly undone for tie-and-go uses. It's also a key component of the trucker's hitch.

The normal hitch for tightening tent guylines without using hardware.

The best knot out there for tightening and releasing cords that will be heavily loaded. It's perfect for cinching down gear, tensioning horizontal spans of rope, or getting a large tarp tightly pitched.

A readily adjustable rope-end knot for trees and large objects, but tougher to visualize than its mid-rope version.

If you don't want a rope to slip, or you want to create tension, tie a quick clove hitch and attach it to something like a tree branch or carabiner.

A fast-to-tie knot for tying off to tent stakes, dock posts, broken tree branches, and carabiners. It's easily adjustable for tension on either end.

Tying a figure 8 mid-rope allows you to securely attach to a particular spot in the line. You can make hand or footholds this way, that can be easily untied after bearing weight. Learn to tie a figure 8 by watching our slide show series on knot tying.

Learn how to properly tie one of the simplest and most versatile knots known to man.

This version of the overhand knot is stronger with lower-creep, yet easily-untied. This knot is perfect for securing everything from guylines to climbing harnesses.

A half hitch is an overhand knot tied around departing cord. It's the simplest way to secure a bowline waist loop for critical uses like climbing.

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