Quote Originally Posted by sho220 View Post
I didn't use the cords to secure the bags. That's what zip-ties are for. I didn't wash them. I gave them the sniff test and they smelled better than a dirty sock so I just went with it...
seriously, wash them you gave it a sniff test, if used as transport bags a BP will give them the 12 hour continuous sniff test. also you didnt give it a lick and chew test, and you didnt put it on moist skin for hours (BPs sometimes pee). its a promotional item, the quality of the dyes and the contained chemicals may not be of the quality you expect of clothing.

yeah the zip ties work perfectly, i would still put the cords out in that case, just to keep the second and third owner of the bag from messing up.

But you dont need zip ties if you have such nice cords

use this knot, and the white end and the red end connect to make the loop around the bag:

(for the mods: the wikimedia foundation allows and tolerates hotlinks)

this knot is safe and can be re-opened, and can be done firmly, you might put a third layer on it just in case. you might use a zip-tie for additional safety. maybe im just biased when it comes to knots due to sailing, i prefer cords instead of zip-ties almost all the time because you can do and undo the knots until the cord wears out. Of course it also depends on the quality of the cord, cords intended purely for decoration can really suck when you apply some serious knots.