Black & Decker 24 In. 2 Pack Flat Bungee Straps

Why I reached for these straps

I keep a bin of tie-downs in the truck—ratchet straps, a tangle of old round bungees, and a few flat cords that have earned permanent spots. After a month of errands, dump runs, and a weekend camping trip, the Black & Decker flat bungee straps have moved into the “grab first” category for everyday securing jobs. They’re simple, durable, and more thoughtfully designed than the generic cords we all end up with after a move.

Design and build quality

Each strap is 24 inches long and sold in a two-pack. The strap body is flat rather than round, which matters for a few reasons: it distributes pressure more evenly, it’s less likely to roll off a load, and it’s kinder to surfaces like tarp grommets, cooler lids, or painted panels. Under the outer weather-resistant material is a steel-reinforced core. That reinforcement gives the straps a firmer, more controlled stretch and helps them return to their original length without feeling “spongy” after a few hard pulls.

The hooks are oversized steel and shaped to help the strap self-center on common anchor points. The geometry also makes them easier to get under thick bar stock on a utility trailer or onto roof rack crossbars. I’ve had hooks on cheaper cords flare open or twist under load; these feel solid, and after a few weeks I don’t see any deformation or flaking.

A small but useful detail: there’s a molded thumb pad on the strap that acts like a quick-grip handle. It sounds like marketing fluff, but it genuinely helps when you’re pulling the strap toward you to catch an anchor point with one hand while you steady the load with the other.

Hooks and anchoring

“Self-centering anchor points” is the brand’s phrasing, and in practice it translates to fewer mid-drive adjustments. On a trailer, the hooks find the center of D-rings and stake pockets and resist creeping to one side as the vehicle vibrates. That’s particularly noticeable when strapping a tarp over lighter, rattle-prone items—the load stays neater, and the tarp doesn’t bunch against a single grommet.

The oversized hooks are a double-edged sword. They’re excellent on larger attachment points—truck bed rings, cargo rails, roof racks, and fence posts—but they won’t fit through small punched holes or narrow recessed rings. If your vehicle or cargo rack uses compact tie-down points, you may need to pair these with a short loop of cord or a carabiner as an intermediary.

In use: common tasks

• Camping: I used one strap per side to secure a tarp awning to a pair of trees and to cinch a soft-sided cooler in the bed. The flat profile kept the tarp spread evenly, and the hooks didn’t chew up the bark or the cooler’s webbing handle.
• Moving lumber: For short lumber runs, two straps across a roof rack kept 2x4s from bouncing. I still added a ratchet strap for fore/aft restraint (important with any elastic tie-down), but the bungees managed vertical movement well and were fast to deploy at the yard.
• Utility trailer: For a haul of plastic bins and garden waste, the straps held a cargo net’s edges tight against the trailer rails. I appreciated the thumb pad here—I could tension the strap with gloves on and hook it without the awkward “stretch-and-hope” routine.

Across those tasks, the 24-inch length feels right for small to mid-size jobs. It’s short enough to keep tension without a lot of wrap-around, but not so short that you’re stretching to the limit to make a connection. If you regularly span bigger gaps, the same straps are available in 36 and 48 inches; I’d mix lengths in a kit.

Stretch, control, and ergonomics

These straps have a deliberate, progressive stretch. Some bungees snap from slack to tight with little in-between control; here, the steel-reinforced core and flat body give you a broader “tuning” window. That makes it easier to get the right tension without over-stressing a tarp eyelet or deforming a plastic bin lid.

The thumb-operated grip is one of those features you don’t realize you want until you’ve used it. It gives you a consistent place to pull from, keeps your fingers away from the hook, and reduces the chance of a slip. Combined with the oversized hook, it’s a more ergonomic system than most commodity cords.

Durability and weather resistance

I left a pair of straps on an outdoor rack for a week through two storms. The outer material didn’t absorb water, and there’s no swelling, fraying, or obvious UV fade so far. The hooks show no rust or coating loss. After repeated full-stretch cycles, the straps haven’t permanently elongated, and the edges haven’t started to feather out—both problems I’ve seen on cheaper flat cords.

Long-term, any elastic will lose some snap, but the steel core seems to slow that down. I’ll update my kit if I notice sagging after a season, but early signs are good.

Safety and limitations

Bungee cords are convenient, but they’re not the right tool for everything. A few notes from use:

• No published working load: These straps don’t list a working load limit. I treat them as light-duty restraint, ideal for keeping items from shifting or rattling, not for primary load security.
• Use ratchet straps for heavy or critical loads: If a load could cause damage or injury if it moved, I always use non-elastic ratchet straps as the primary tie-down and reserve bungees for managing covers and minor movement.
• Hook caution: The hooks are robust, which means more stored energy if something slips. I keep my face out of the line of fire and use the thumb pad to maintain control during attachment. Eye protection is never a bad idea.

How they stack up against alternatives

• Round bungees: Round cords roll, concentrate pressure at a thin line, and tend to cut into softer materials. The flat straps win for stability and surface friendliness.
• Ratchet straps: Ratchets are the gold standard for serious tie-downs. They’re also slower and bulkier. For quick, repetitive tasks—holding a tarp, cinching a cargo net, or securing a light cooler—the flat bungee straps are faster and plenty capable.
• Budget flat cords: I’ve used off-brand flat bungees with thin hooks and stretchy, gummy rubber. These Black & Decker straps feel more controlled and better built. The oversized hooks and thumb pad are the standout differences.

Small gripes and wish list

• Smaller hook option: A second hook size in the lineup would broaden compatibility with compact tie-down points.
• Color coding by length: Since there are 24-, 36-, and 48-inch versions available, color-coded straps would make it easier to grab the right length at a glance. Not a deal-breaker, but a nice-to-have for mixed kits.
• Published working load: Even a conservative rating would help users match the strap to the task more confidently.

Who will appreciate these most

• Truck and SUV owners who regularly use cargo nets, tarps, or roof racks.
• DIYers who want a quick way to restrain lighter items and reduce rattles without hauling out ratchets.
• Campers who value flat straps for awnings, tarps, and gear that can get marred by round cords.

If your needs skew toward securing motorcycles, appliances, or heavy furniture, treat these as accessories, not your primary solution.

Recommendation

I recommend these flat bungee straps as a reliable, well-thought-out option for everyday securing tasks. The flat profile reduces rolling and surface damage, the hooks are easy to place and resist wandering, and the thumb-operated grip improves control and safety during attachment. Weather resistance and a steel-reinforced core suggest solid longevity, and the 24-inch length covers a lot of typical use cases, with longer versions available when you need more reach.

They’re not a substitute for ratchet straps on heavy or critical loads, and the oversized hooks won’t fit every small anchor point. But as part of a balanced tie-down kit, they’ve earned a spot near the top of mine. For tarps, cargo nets, light gear, and quick holds, these are the straps I now grab first.