Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
When off-roading, getting stuck is, frankly, pretty likely. These tow straps can save your bacon. Webbing Slings
Recovery straps—sometimes referred to as snatch straps—are one of many interfaces you can use to yank your vehicle out of a sticky situation. Many recovery straps look identical to tow straps. However, there’s an important distinction: Recovery straps are elastic and stretch before becoming taut, whereas tow straps will simply load up until they snap. The former helps you easily get back on solid ground with minimal other equipment.
Take a look below at quick info on the best recovery straps, then scroll down for things to consider while buying your own and our in-depth reviews.
When enthusiasts talk recovery gear, they’ll often throw around the terms kinetic and non-kinetic. Although off-road jargon can become overwhelming, don’t panic. There’s one hard and fast rule you should follow when using elastic recovery straps, which are able to stretch and store kinetic energy: Never use them in a winch job, where they are under load for extended periods of time (which they’re not meant to handle). Kinetic straps behave like rubber bands and can do a lot of damage if they snap.
Despite this danger, the inherent stretch of a recovery strap allows the material to load up to its limit of elasticity before returning to the original compressed state. This allows for much simpler vehicle-to-vehicle recovery operations that don’t require the complex equipment of a proper winching operation.
Just like many things in life, the more money you spend, the better the product you get. When it comes to heavily strung components like these that can cause horrendous injury in the event of a failure, stay away from cheaper straps made by brands you’ve never heard of. You’ll see below that even for the budget pick, we didn’t stray too far below $40.
The failure point for a lot of off-road equipment is generally listed as the Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS). Although you’d expect to hear the word maximum instead of minimum, MBS is essentially a measure of the weakest section of any given strap—the weakest link, if you will. Look for an MBS that’s roughly three times greater than the weight of your vehicle.
As Pop Mech’s autos editor, I’ve taken my fair share of vehicles off-road and am rapidly working my way through the all-terrain learning curve. I still consider myself a tarmac specialist, so I reached out to veteran off-road gurus Chris Komar and Rodney Brooks to find out more. Komar currently works with Team O’Neil Rally School but splits time as a mechanic with Subaru Rally Team USA (supporting Brandon Semenuk) and Tuthill Porsche in its entry into the East Africa Safari Rally—often labeled as one of the most grueling rally events in the world. Brooks, meanwhile, runs an off-road specific tuning shop called Performance Unlimited and D.A.P Land Rover Restoration, both of which he started himself.
Having been around since 1975, ARB has made a name for itself as the last word in high-quality recovery equipment. As such, the Aussie brand’s snatch strap is one of the finest that money can buy. Unlike most kinetic recovery ropes, ARB’s strap has been tested by a National Association of Testing Authorities-certified laboratory. (NATA is the official national accreditation authority for labs and testing in Australia.)
Although Warn is most well known for making winches, its other recovery equipment is good, too. Komar says that Team O’Neil Rally School regularly uses Warn’s recovery straps to retrieve stuck vehicles—something that happens quite often. To optimize longevity, both ends loops are reinforced with wear pads, and the strap itself comes with an 18-inch nylon sleeve to protect it from sharp rocks and other abrasives.
GearAmerica isn’t as well know as other brands in the off-road industry (like the two above), but this recovery strap is a standout. Its MBS of 45,000 pounds is nearly double the strength of the previous straps. Built from burly polyester, it can withstand temperatures from -45 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 215. Its durability makes it viable as a tree saver and tow strap, as well.
Jaco’s TowPro Recovery Strap a solid budget buy. Despite Komar and Brooks’ trepidation to recommend an affordable option, the Jaco has all of the same ingredients as some of its more expensive compatriots—reinforced end loops, protective sleeves, and a lab-tested safety rating.
Just keep in mind that you might not get as much use out of it as you would something hardier; more than one online reviewer lamented the TowPro’s lack of durability.
Similar to GearAmerica, All-Top doesn’t share the popularity as other brands in the off-road industry. Still, its snatch strap has impressive elasticity. It can’t compete with the stretchiness of a dedicated kinetic rope, but it will help tremendously when tugging a vehicle out of a rough spot.
All-Top’s kit also includes a carrying case as well as two D-shackles, which will help you get started if you’re putting together a full recovery kit.
Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic, and as the Autos Editor for Popular Mechanics, he writes the majority of automotive coverage across digital and print. He was previously a contributing writer for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster focused on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, where he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the great outdoors.
The 8 Best Portable Jump Starters
The Best Rooftop Tents for Camping on Your Car
The 5 Best Traction Boards to Get You Unstuck
The Best Dash Cams for Your Next Road Trip
Best Rooftop Cargo Carriers for Hauling More Gear
5 Best Trailer Light Kits To Illuminate Your Rig
The Best Portable Tire Inflators
How to Clean Your Headlights and Make Them Shine
How to Fix Your Car's Heater
How To Prepare Your Garage for Winter
Here Are Some Ways To Start a Fire With Your Car
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
Polyester Composite Strap ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.