Can Fishing Line Be Used for Kite String?

Kite string, also known as line, is a critical component of any kite and is usually made of nylon or cotton. Kite string is required to fly a kite as it needs to be strong enough to withstand the wind while being light enough not to weigh down the kite. While fishing line may seem like an ideal choice for kite string due to its strength and lightweight nature, it is generally not recommended for use with kites.

Fishing line possesses impressive strength, allowing it to withstand the force of the wind on a kite without fraying or breaking. Another advantage is its relatively lightweight nature, as opposed to alternative materials like twine or cotton thread which can be used for kite strings. Despite these benefits, there are a few reasons why relying on fishing line for a kite string may not be advisable.

Cost: Fishing line can be quite expensive compared to other materials like cotton thread which makes it an unsuitable option for most people who want to fly a kite.

Durability: Fishing line is designed with flexibility in mind which makes it more prone to wear and tear than other materials used in making kites strings.

Visibility: Fishing lines are usually colored with bright colors that make them very visible in the sky when attached to a kite. This can be distracting and spoil the aesthetic of your flying experience.

Safety: One of the major drawbacks of using fishing lines as your kite string is their lack of flexibility when stressed. This means that if your fishing line breaks, it could cause injury since the broken pieces of fishing line will fling off in all directions.

In conclusion, while fishing lines may have some desirable properties such as strength and lightness, they are not recommended for use with kites due to their cost, durability, visibility and safety issues. For these reasons, it’s best to use traditional materials such as nylon or cotton thread when making your own kite strings.

Photo of author

Michael Allen