Z-Line
From left to right: Micro Cord, 1.2mm Z-Line, Lash-it, and wooden match
I've purchased the bright yellow version of 1.2mm and 2mm Z-Line from Zpacks. I use it for the four guy line tieouts on my AHE Shangri La tarp with each being 8 feet (2.4m) in length. I also replaced the guylines on my Tarptent Double Rainbow tent with the 2mm Z-Line. I've also used Z-Line as pull loops for all eight of my DutchWare titanium nail stakes, and several other small items that needed loops or added visibility.
I switched out the tarp guy lines from gray Lash-it to the Z-Line because I've had people trip over my guy lines and felt like they needed to be more visible. The Z-Line is a bit lighter, so that's a nice added benefit. Each 8 foot guy line weighs about 0.1 oz (3g).
Z-Line vs. Lash-It
Z-Line cord is similar to Lash-it in the fact it is made with Dyneema—which gives it its strength. However, Z-Line is not a braided cord and therefore is not spliceable like Lash-it. Z-Line's advantage is in its smaller diameter and very bright yellow color. It is ideal in applications where the strength of Lash-it is overkill. Both cords have very little stretch under tension.
Cord | Material | Diameter | Breaking Strength | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Z-Line | Dyneema core, polyester sheath | 3/64" (1.2mm) | 200 lbs (91kg) | 0.3g/ft (1g/m) |
Z-Line | Dyneema core, polyester sheath | 5/64" (2mm) | >200 lbs (91kg) | 0.9g/ft (3g/m) |
Lash-It | Dyneema fiber braids | 1/16" (1.75mm) | 500 lbs (230kg) | 0.6g/ft (1.8g/m) |
Z-Line vs. Micro Cord
Z-Line is a good middle ground cord with a strength between Lash-it and Micro Cord. Z-Line is ideal in applications where very little stretch is preferred and/or more strength is needed. Both cords are basically the same weight and diameter. The Dyneema core of Z-Line does make it considerably more expensive. Zpacks sells Z-Line $12.95 per 50 feet while I've purchased 125 foot spools of Micro Cord for under $6.
Cord | Material | Diameter | Breaking Strength | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Z-Line | Dyneema core, polyester sheath | 3/64" (1.2mm) | 200 lbs (91kg) | 0.3g/ft (1g/m) |
Z-Line | Dyneema core, polyester sheath | 5/64" (2mm) | >200 lbs (91kg) | 0.9g/ft (3g/m) |
Micro Cord | polyester and nylon | 3/64" (1.18mm) | 100 lbs (46kg) | 0.3g/ft (1g/m) |