I like my REI velcro straps. They are thin, lightweight and have a strong grip. But they have to be sized for the item you are strapping. I use them with a mesh bag to hold extra layers on my rack for long day rides, for instance. I can easily pull them tight and the velcro won't slip.

The blue 18 inch strap forms a circle diameter from about 2.5 inches to 4.5 inches, depending how far the black hook section is from the plastic buckle.

The black 24 inch strap's circle ranges from about 6 inches to 4 inches.

You need to look at One-Wrap Velcro tape it's thicker, longer, more industrially robust, and probably lighter. If velcro-noise isn't bothersome, then you definitely need to try it.

I have a couple of these also. They do work well, but you got to have them firmly cinched in order to not let slip anything out. That's the caveat, but otherwise they stay on the bike which is a good thing.

Velcro One Wrap | Canadian Tire
I love this type of strap. Cut it to any length. If you need longer next go, add them together. Strap down the mattress, then strap the tent on top. Add the solar panel anywhere. I actually cut some length wise to go through the mounting straps of my solar panels. No more loose front Paniers. Loop around the whole rack. Run a strap through the sandals as they tie down the tent, etc.
When not in use they roll up on themselves, hide in a small pocket.

My experience with bungie cords. One end falls off, the other end rolls around hooked to a spoke. Hell of a racket, and potential to break spokes. I really avoid bungies on my bike, but have a few in the bottom of my commuter saddle bag.

Hope this helps.



-Snuts-

Been using the safety (non-hook) bungees but IMO the best way to secure stuff to racks is non-stretchy things like cord or straps.

Those things litter the bag room at the airport.

Granted, in both cases it's probably 95% user error.

Over thinking it some here. One of the best? A long section of innertube. Knots up nice, no slip, holds well.

I like bungees for soft, compressible things. One has lived on most of my racks since I got the racks.

For more firm or solid things, I have some smaller tie down straps, the ones without the ratcheting handle. Snug the strap down, tie it off under the buckle, and it holds solid.

I'm not a fan of nylon straps since they stretch significantly when wet. The last thing I want to do in rain is stop to readjust the straps on the rack. That said, I'm also not a fan of traditional hook style bungees. I've worn some holes in stuff sacks because of the hook. There is also the problem of the hook slipping off and flying up in and unpredictable manner. Velcro looks interesting but Velcro can lose its "velcroiness" if it gets dirty.

My choice is ball bungees (aka "tarp" bungees)



Because they don't have a hook, you lash them around the rack and stretch them towards each other, hooking the balls together. When released then fly back towards the corners of the rack but don't fall off. I don't find that the load on my rack changes significantly from day to day so there's really no need to carry different sizes

I went with double pull plastic buckles,(no sewing) and nylon webbing, to pull the load tight.

Moving loads are no fun, Especially on downhills...

I'm a strap junkie. And a Nite-Ize junkie.
Someone mentioned the Gear Tie, which I like: https://www.niteize.com/product/Gear-Tie-ProPack.asp
I've also used the Knot Bone Adjustable Bungee: https://www.niteize.com/product/Knot...ble-Bungee.asp
And the Flat, Adjustable Bungee: https://www.niteize.com/product/Knot...lat-Bungee.asp
I prefer the flat for securing a load, but sometimes the bungee pulls double duty as part of my tarp rigging, and in that case, I tend to prefer the other.
These bungees address some the concerns of the anti-bungee crowd. They're adjustable, so one bungee can be adjusted for multiple uses. And they have clips at the ends, rather than hooks, so there's far less chance that a bungee will break free, have that hook come swinging around and take out an eye, releasing tension on the other end, so that hook comes loose and gets the other eye, and all of the sudden you're blind and crying by the side of the road while your unsecured load falls into the ditch. Never happens with these.
But, in all seriousness, I have had an issue where a bungee came loose and dropped an end into my rear wheel, wrapping itself around the hub, leaving me standing in the rain at 1am with a flashlight trying to figure out how to get the bungee and wheel to separate into two distinct entities again. So I like the clips vs. hooks.

Non-Nite-Ize products:
I've used a cargo net to good effect. Particularly for securing shoes or wet clothing that you don't want in your pack.
Surly Junk Straps: Cargo | Parts and Accessories | Surly Bikes
The have a loop version that I haven't tried. Yet. (Re: junkie)
I use Salsa Anything Cage straps on my Anything Cage: Anything Cage Straps | Parts & Accessories | Salsa Cycles
But I also have the longer version, which has a buckle. Those have been great for securing a load to the rear rack that you want to access throughout the day. I often carry a cooler, and having the buckles available to easily remove it has been handy.
The Revelate Washboard Strap has been useful on my Anything Cages as well: https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...WashboardStrap
From what I understand, it's basically a ski strap. It has a little give, and is great for strapping down a load that has no give (like a bottle of fuel, water, beer, whatever). It's not terribly long, but for smaller items, it's handy.
Also a nylon belt as part of my travel clothing has come in handy as an emergency strap, something similar to this: https://www.rei.com/product/101415/b...lliptagon-belt
Just remember that nothing is holding your pants up when you get off the bike to walk around.

I wonder how much light my gear would be if I left my straps at home?

I bought a couple of pairs of IT Clips from a LBS a couple of years ago. I’ve never used them but it’s a cleaver idea for recycling old inner tubes.

We use one of these Topeak Cargo Nets (~$7 at REI) along with another 2 hook net that I can't remember where we got it from.

Never had any issues and makes holding extra items easy when you need.

Tip: Pull the plastic pieces off the ends of the hooks and drop some super glue into the pieces and reapply. Otherwise you'll lose them and have sharp ends.

https://www.rei.com/product/797996/topeak-cargo-net

Clothesline cord is cheap & easy. Wide & soft enough to avoid damaging fabric but works well for demanding application like securing loaded milk crate to rear rack. Cut pieces according to need & tie simple square knots.

While im sure a section of tube would work well, its funny you claim others are overthinking this topic as thats what i think of when a section of innertube is suggested.

A section of tube, to me, would be a great solution if a dedicated strap failed whole on the road, but it isnt something i would have thought of in 100 suggestions as what to use as standard equipment.

I was under the impression that [MENTION=175466]Leebo[/MENTION] is saying they're overthinking it. Not that others on the forum are.

I love my Coghlan's Arno Straps. they're like super long toe straps and they have a multitude of uses. they have a metal buckle that's very esy to loosen the strap with and they don't break when it's below freezing.

They come in your choice of 24", 36", 48" or 60" lengths. Being that the strap ir nylon it's very easy to get a longer strap and then shorten it to the exact length you want if you want to shorten a strap.

Arno Straps - 48" | Ropes & Straps | Coghlan's

Coghlans Arno Straps 48 In $4.47 pair by Miele Man, on Flickr

Cheers

I use something similar. They'll usually last about a year if they're left on the rack before the stretchiness goes, but that's enough to complete a lot of tours. Left inside a car trunk, they last until they disappear when the wife cleans out my car.

I much prefer straps over bungees.

For straps I think most of the ones mentioned are overkill. I prefer Coughlin's sleeping bag straps. They are 3/4" wide with a plastic buckle. Also they are poly rather than nylon which is good because nylon stretches and gets looser when wet. They come in a pack of two, sometimes for less than $2 for two straps.

I own better more expensive straps that I use for other things than touring, but find the poly sleeping bag straps perfect for touring.

Thanks guys I wound up getting a couple of the Rok straps, look like they will work out fine. Lots of great options here though!

I've had mine several years now and haven't needed to replace it. Maybe I don't overstretch it. I use it to hold my sleeping bag and tent poles on. Occasionally putting extra food etc as well.