Nite Ize Gear Tie Review

Gear Ties are kind of like duct tape. Like duct tape, you can use Gear Ties for almost anything, the only difference is Gear Ties are reusable.

After a few weeks of using Gear Ties around the house and outside, I’d admit I find uses for them everywhere. They were surprisingly strong and I was even able to hang a chair from a doorknob using a 12 inch tie. Gear ties are, as I’ve read one reviewer say, “twist ties on steroids”.

I was able to see what exactly a Gear Tie is made of after breaking one (I’ll go into more detail about that later). At the core, there is a flexible metal wire. Surrounding the wire is a tan colored material which I can’t identify. And finally there is the rubberized exterior that protects the wire and adds friction and grippiness. Pretty simple, but really useful.

I’ve been testing out an assorted 12 pack of Gear Ties.

Gear Ties Included in Assorted 12 Pack:

• (2X) 24-inch Gear Ties
• (2X) 18-inch Gear Ties
• (2X) 12-inch Gear Ties
• (3X) 6-inch Gear Ties
• (3X) 3-inch Gear Ties

Here are my thoughts on the ties:

Pros:

• Strong
• For use indoors and outdoors
• Grippy
• Durable
• Versatile
• Reusable
• Waterproof

I didn’t know just how strong Nite Ize Gear Ties were until I tried them myself. Using a 12 inch Gear Tie, I was able to lift a 57 lb suitcase. Note that I used the 12 inch tie, not the biggest 24 inch tie. I probably could have lifted more weight, but I didn’t have any more weights to put in the luggage.

These ties are tough and can be used for anything. I’ve decided to come up with a list of some ways you can use Gear Ties, some of which I’ve come up with and others which I’ve seen people do.

Uses for Gear Ties:

• iPad stand – shape the largest Gear Tie (24-inch) into the shape of a stand
• Measuring stick
• Stress reliever – I realized this wasn’t a good idea after breaking a tie

• Tripod
• Organizing wires
• Protect cords – my Apple charger wires seem to always break, but by wrapping a small Gear Tie around the beginning of the wire, you can protect the wire from bending too far

• Securing bulky items to your backpack
• Packing clothes – you can use Gear Ties to keep clothes together when packing
• Bracelet organizer
• Hanging things
• To personalize wine glasses

For more Gear Tie uses, check out Nite Ize’s Pinterest board.

Can Gear Ties Break?

Gear Ties are certainly reusable, however at what point do they break? Since my job as a travel gear reviewer is to test things to their limits – in other words to break things, I decided to see how many times I could bend a Gear Tie until it broke.

My test involved bending the blue 12 inch Gear Tie back and forth as many times as possible at a single bending point. I bent the Gear Tie to form a 45 degree angle, close to being completely folded in half.

After about 10 bends, each following bend became easier.

The result? After bending it back and forth 20 times, the inner metal bendy part seemed to break with just the rubber holding it together. After the metal had broken, it was really difficult to break the rubber covering. I had to twist the tie several times until the rubber tore.

I’m kind of disappointed I wasted a perfectly good 12 inch gear tie, but it was worth the test. Gear Ties are durable, but not invincible. If you bend them back and forth constantly they will break. Try not to bend your Gear Ties at very sharp angles, like folding them in half. They will really only break if you try to break them.

Even when the a Gear Tie breaks, you can still use the two parts that you’re left with, although Nite Ize does not recommend that since the exposed wire can scratch things.

Cons:

• Pricey for budget travelers

Considering they are quite simple products, retail $24 (although you can find them for $18 on Amazon.com) for a pack of 12 Gear Ties is quite expensive. These are high quality products, so you get what you pay for.

The Verdict:

My suggestion to travelers: for your next trip, pack a few Gear Ties with you. They’re lightweight, compact, durable and you never know when you’ll need them. You can use them for organizing your clothes, attaching things to your backpack and around the hotel.

Where to Get Gear Ties:

• Get these Gear Ties on Amazon.com

How do you use Nite Ize Gear Ties? Have any questions about Gear Ties? Leave a comment below.

The Nite Ize Gear Ties were provided for this review. As always, this Nite Ize Gear Tie review contains only my honest views and opinions. Some links found in this review are affiliate links, meaning that we get commission if you decide to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This helps to fund the site. 🙂