While you are off-roading, anytime your vehicle can get stuck. In those situations, a recovery strap can be your savior. Thus, for overlanders and off-roaders, the best recovery strap is a must.
Also, you should know that you cannot use a tow strap where you will need a recovery strap and vice-versa. Yes, both of these are not the same products. Confused? No worries.
Many manufacturers and retailers, unfortunately, use tow straps, recovery straps, and snatch straps (kinetic ropes) interchangeably. In our opinion, this is totally wrong, and you should really learn about the differences before purchasing a product, let alone using one!
Snatch straps and tow straps look very similar, but there are very important differences. Tow straps do not stretch during use, whereas, snatch straps do. Make sure you know which one you need. Sometimes the “kinetic tow strap” name is used, which is a contradiction already! A tow strap should not be elastic.
We have put together a simple guide that will help you get familiar with the world of vehicle straps used for off-road recovery:
Quick Answer – What Is The Best Recovery Strap:
Because we are going to share all the ins and outs of recovery and tow straps in the buying guide section of this post.
Along with that, we are going to review some of the best recovery straps you can buy right now for your off-road adventure.
So, by the time you have read this post, you would be familiar with some of the top recovery straps and would be able to choose the best option for you.
Best Recovery Strap
Best Recovery Straps (Snatch straps) – Reviews
Review of Rhino USA Recovery Off Road Tow Strap
Rhino USA, Inc. is a well-known family company from California. They have various towing and recovery accessories for 4×4 vehicles and so on.
And, this particular recovery tow strap is also one of their most popular recovery gear. With a break strength of up to 31,518 pounds, this can be a great option.
However, you should know that this is specifically recommended for towing.
This 30 ft. long tow strap has a width of 3 inches. And, it is made with a combination of polyester and silk webbing. As a result, it is so soft yet tough at the same time when it comes to towing.
You will get a free drawstring pouch that can hold over 10 pounds with this tow strap. Rhino USA also sells the compatible D-ring shackles and shackle hitches separately.
The loop ends of these truck recovery straps from Rhino USA are triple reinforced for the most reliable towing experience. You will notice luminous green sleeves at both ends of the Rhino USA recovery pull straps.
And, these luminous sleeves will help you use the Rhino USA recovery tow strap in dark or snowy conditions to provide you with good visuals. At the same time, they also offer added protection and superior strength for the best performance and a storage bag. Quality kinetic recovery straps usually come in complete recovery kits.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Even though the previous buyers of this recovery tow strap are happy about its performance, some Rhino USA reviews equally unhappy about the marketing approach of the company.
In their Rhino straps review, the customers are saying that this tow strap is made in China. However, because of the clever marketing, they were misled thinking these were actually elastic recovery straps made in USA.
Otherwise, they have said the Rhino recovery straps would be a decent recovery strap for your truck.
Pros:
- This strap for truck comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Free drawstring bag
- Comes with triple reinforced loop straps
Cons:
- Price is a bit higher compared to the overall quality
- Misleading marketing for Rhino USA recovery gear
Review of Sunferno Recovery Tow Strap
If you are looking for a 4×4 recovery strap for winching your overlanding rig, do not choose this one from Sunferno. This is made for snatch recovery, and not for winching.
For winching you can choose this product.
Add in the fact that you will get a lot of free goodies with this package as well. This particular recovery strap comes with a 7% maximum stretch.
Thus, it can be used for recovery tasks due to the elastic nature of the fabric. But Sunferno recommends it as a tow strap as well.
According to the company, the working load limit of this tow strap is up to 17,500 lbs. That means the break strength of this recovery strap is about 35,000 lbs. This 3-inch wide strap is 20 feet long.
It comes with single-ply webbing, reinforced eye loops at both ends, protective sleeves, and a uniquely strong stitching pattern, which makes this recovery strap a top-class one. Furthermore, the price to performance ratio of this tow strap is also great.
The bright color will be helpful while in bad weather conditions or in the dark to work with these towing straps.
On top of this, you can rely on the weather-resistant feature of these recovery and tow straps.
That means after using it you can clean it with water as soon as possible without any issues. Overall, this can be one of the best tow straps at a reasonable price.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Most of the past buyers admired the quality of this recovery and tow strap. They are saying that for the price these are some great products.
Additionally, they have said this recovery tow strap is actually capable of recovering vehicles with ease. They liked the bright color and the free accessories like the storage bag, instruction eBook, wrap tie, and so on.
Pros:
- Highly visible color
- Comes with a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects
- It is weather-resistant
- Comes with a free protective sleeve, wrap tie, drawstring bag, and recovery guide eBook
Cons:
- It is only 20 feet
Related Post:
Review of GearAmerica Recovery Tow Strap
The next product we are going to recover would be the GearAmerica recovery tow strap. This one will be suitable for recovering large vehicles and the most demanding towing tasks.
Because it comes with a minimum breaking capacity of up to 45,000 pounds and a working load limit of up to 15,000 lbs. This is 30 feet in length and 4 inches in width.
This heavy-duty recovery strap can be easily connected to a D-ring shackle or any other recovery points to use it as a winching extension. The loop ends of this strap are triple reinforced and well-padded so that it will offer you a long-lasting service.
Additionally, they have used 100 percent tensile polyester and military-grade webbing in this recovery strap. Thus, it is not only resistant to water but also can tackle moistures, mildew, and UV Ray as well.
It has a maximum elongation of 7% which makes it perfect as a recovery strap, tow strap, winch extension, or tree saver strap.
Along with this recovery strap, you will also get a free oversized storage bag that can be used for storing your additional towing accessories. For such features, it could be one of the best tow straps on our list.
What Previous Buyers Said?
This is another product that the past buyers are happy about. They said even though the price could be a bit lower, the performance of this recovery strap hasn’t let them down.
They also liked that that this kinetic recovery strap comes with an oversized storage bag that can accommodate other towing accessories as well.
Pros:
- Very high minimum break capacity
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- It is weather-resistant
- Comes with a free storage bag
Cons:
- A bit pricey compared to others
Review of Smittybilt (CC330) Off Road Recovery Strap
Smittybilt should need no introduction to off-roaders. They are well-recognized by most off-road enthusiasts for their high-end automotive recovery gear and accessories.
This Smittybilt recovery strap comes with a pull rating of up to 30,000 pounds. It is 3 inches wide and 30 feet long, which is the optimal size for a recovery strap.
It can be used for both recovering and towing tasks. The recovery and towing strap from Smittybilt comes with double-stitched webbing.
Additionally, it also features a double loop design. All of these features add to the durability and reliability of this recovery strap in the face of demanding towing tasks.
The bright yellow color of the strap will help you to work with it under low light conditions. All in all, this can be a good option if you are looking for a recovery strap that is affordable yet comes from a reliable brand.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Like most other heavy-duty products from Smittybilt, this is also a top favorite to the current users.
They have said the reasonable price and the premium quality of the recovery strap make it a great option. Additionally, they also liked the durability of the product.
For instance, one buyer said he has been using his Smittybilt CC330 recovery strap for 3 years without any issue.
Pros:
- Value for money
- Available in multiple sizes
- High visibility in bad weather condition
- It is weather-resistant
Cons:
- The quality of the protective sleeves could be better
- No lifetime warranty
Review of ARB Recovery Strap (ARB705LB) Orange Snatch Strap – Our Choice: best recovery strap for Jeep or any other 4-wheel-drive vehicle
ARB is an Australian company that is popular worldwide because of its top-notch 4×4 accessories. They design all of their products in Australia and their products are tested in a NATA-approved lab there. They are simply making some of the best off road recovery gear in the world.
So, you can be sure that you are getting a high-quality product from ARB. In this case, we are reviewing their famous snatch recovery strap. This one comes in bright orange color. You know this will come in handy in bad lighting conditions and it’s easy to recognize in your recovery strap kit: recovery snatch strap (orange), winch lengthening strap (purple), tree saver strap (bright green).
The minimum breaking strength of this recovery strap is up to 17,600 pounds. or 8,000 kg. The strap is designed to stretch under load. Matter of fact, the maximum stretch it can attain is up to 20 percent.
As a result, it can be one of the best accessories to recover any immobilized or bogged 4×4 vehicles. The length and the width of this strap are 30 feet and 60 mm (2.36 inches) respectively.
It is made with 100% heavy-duty nylon from where it gets high elasticity. On both ends, the snatch strap comes with reinforced loops and seam protector sleeves.
That way, it is safer than using latch hooks or D-Ring shackles. This is undoubtedly a heavy-duty recovery strap.
Due to the features and the quality of the ARB snatch strap, we can say that this is one of the best recovery straps available right now.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Almost all the owners of this snatch strap from ARB are highly pleased with its performance. Even, most of them are saying the high price is worth it for such reliable performance.
For instance, one of the buyers said they have pulled a couple of trucks from deep sand in one day with this recovery strap from ARB without any problems. Plus, they are recommending it to others as well.
Please note, that if you’re looking for the ARB tow strap, that’s a totally different product.
Pros:
- Very high-quality ruggedly built recovery strap
- Comes in a bright orange color for high visibility
- Tested in NATA approved laboratory
- Wither resistant
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons:
- A little bit expensive
Review of KEEPER (02942) Recovery Strap
If you are looking for a budget-friendly recovery strap, then you should check this one out. This one is specifically made for recovering vehicles. Thus it is not suitable for towing tasks.
The minimum break strength of the recovery strap is up to 20,000 pounds. So, as per the company, the working load limit of these recovery tow straps is That means it is up to 10,000 lbs.
This one comes with Hi-Test webbing that is abrasion-resistant material. On top of that, it features wear guard protective fabrics on the looped ends to make it stronger where it matters the most.
At the same time, the stretch and recoil feature of the strap makes it safe for using to recover stuck vehicles with ease.
That means it will be a top heavy-duty recovery strap for small trucks, SUVs, and tractors. Overall, this might not be the best tow strap but it can be a great option if you are on a limited budget or just want a backup recovery strap for your truck.
What Previous Buyers Said?
This is another fan favorite because of its cost-to-performance ratio. The previous customers said if you are using it properly, it can serve you a long time.
In fact, one customer is using this one for over 5 years without any problems. So, they are saying this is one of the best recovery straps for the price.
Pros:
- Very cheap off road strap
- Heavy-duty recovery strap
- Abrasion-resistant protection sleeves
- Reinforced loop ends
Cons:
- No lifetime warranty
Hi-Lift Jack (STRP-315) Tree Saver Recovery Strap – Best recovery strap made in USA
The last recovery strap on our list is from Hi-Lift. This is a company that makes most of its products in the USA.
So, if you are looking for a recovery strap that is made in the USA, you should go with it. This recovery strap is made with high-grade polyester material.
Thus it can attain a high elasticity which is suitable for recovering stuck vehicles.
The length and the width of this tree saver strap are 15 feet and 3 inches respectively. However, if you want other sizes, they also offer those.
The break strength of this strap is up to 30,000 lbs. or 13,607 kg approximately. Due to the nature of the material used on this recovery strap, it is suitable for a slower and controlled recovery.
You will also love the reflective loop ends on this strap that shines under low light. As a result, you can work with it even under minimal light.
And, the reinforced loops will make sure you can rely on them while recovering a large stuck vehicle. Additionally, the unique stitching pattern and the stretch/recoil feature make it one of the best recovery straps out there.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Almost all the previous buyers of this heavy-duty recovery strap from Hi-Lift loved it. First off, they are happy because of the supreme capability and reliable performance of the strap.
Added to that, they have also liked the affordable pricing of this “Jeep recovery strap“. Plus, according to them, the quality and the durability of this strap are also top-class.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Abrasion and weather-resistant
- High visibility with reflective looped ends
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- This is only 15 feet long. However, other sizes are available, though
Best Kinetic Recovery Rope – Bubba Rope Power Stretch Recovery Rope Review
This is a 20 or 30-foot rope has been developed using military specs and it is the best recover kinetic rope on the market right now. This American-made kinetic rope has a 7/8-inch diameter and a breaking strength of 28,600 pounds.
It was specifically designed to get your vehicle out of the most tricky situations, whether it’s snow, mud or sand. This double-braided nylon rope has been designed to be abrasion-, UV- and water-resistant.
It features double-eye loops and comes with its own mesh carrying case.
It is advised that buyers leave the rope out in the sun for a day to get rid of the initial strong odor. You also need to be aware that it may start to lose its color after a few uses. That has no effect on its usability, though.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Previous buyers are more impressed. One happy customer mentioned a very difficult situation where he didn’t think the kinetic rope would help, only to find out that this great tool can tackle the situation very-very easily.
Another user went as far as saying that it stores energy better and unloads it to a greater degree and extent than flat vehicle recovery straps.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Abrasion-, UV- and water-resistant
- Flexible and strong
- A brand with a great reputation
Cons:
- Emits a bad odor out of the box but that fades over time
Buying Guide – Or How Do I Choose The Best Recovery Strap
In another post regarding Tow Strap vs. Recovery Strap, we have talked about the differences between these two options. Additionally, we have also talked about the procedure of using both these types of recovery accessories.
So, for a detailed explanation and instruction on recovery and tow strap, you can check that post out. Nevertheless, we are going to share all the necessary information you need to know before you buy a recovery strap in this section as well.
As we mentioned, terms are often mixed up, and often best recovery tow straps are being searched for. It’s important to clarify what each type of strap should be used for, so let’s go.
Recovery Straps (Kinetic or Snatch Straps) vs. Tow Straps
Most of the time, both the recovery straps and tow straps are advertised as the same product. However, this is not actually true. Rather, there are a lot of differences in the use between a tow strap and a recovery strap.
First off, most of the best tow straps come with large metal hooks on both ends. And, they are not elastic in nature. The hooks are designed to latch on to the towing points of the vehicles.
For towing a moving vehicle, you will need to apply consistent pressure. The best tow strap for pulling out is not elastic. Tow straps can put a steady pressure to tow a moving vehicle.
On the other hand, the recovery straps are elastic. And they feature loop ends instead of metal hooks on both ends. Due to the elasticity, these will stretch while recovering a stuck vehicle.
And, the potential energy produced from the elastic nature of the recovery strap will make the extraction process easy and more controlled. After the recovery session, the strap will recoil on its own. Hence, they are called kinetic recovery straps. Read the full guide here.
Things To Consider When Buying Heavy Duty Recovery Straps
Capacity Of Snatch Straps
You must have noticed that all of the recovery straps we have reviewed come with a break strength. This is the minimum force you would need to apply to break or snap the strap.
So, you should get recovery straps that have a break strength of about 4 times the weight of your vehicle that you would need to recover.
Theoretically, for a 4×4 vehicle, a recovery strap with 40,000 pounds of break strength would suffice.
Strap Length and Width Requirements of the Best Snatch Strap
Recovery straps come in various sizes. Both the length and the width of the recovery straps are very important. Because you can actually calculate the break strength of the strap from its width.
For the record, 1-inch width is equal to 10,000 lbs. in this case. So, a strap that is 4 inches wide would have a break strength of up to about 40,000 lbs.
However, you should also know that the straps would lose elasticity with the increase of the width as it will be more rigid.
So, you should get a strap that has the best balance between the length, width, elasticity, and the break strength for your circumstance. And, 30 feet would be the ideal length for a good recovery strap. But let’s talk about the length in a bit more detail.
Best Books On Overlanding
Stitching A Snatch Strap
The stitching pattern on your recovery straps is also a significant factor. Because with the increase of the stitching, the strap gets weaker.
So, it is always better to go with a recovery strap that comes with less stitching. Also, make sure, you are getting a strap that has protective sleeves at both ends.
Those will make the kinetic strap stronger than heavy stitching on the contact points.
Ease of Installation and Use of Kinetic Recovery Straps
This goes without saying that you should buy a recovery strap that is easy to work with. In the case of recovering a stuck vehicle, accessories like D-ring shackles can be a great addition to a recovery strap.
Also, keep in mind that a recovery strap needs time to recoil and return to its natural shape and size after a recovery session.
So, make sure, you are not using your strap over and over again in the span of a short period of time. For such events, a backup recovery strap might come in handy.
Visibility
You don’t know whether you will need to use your recovery strap at night or in a severe weather conditions. To tackle the issue, a lot of brands have started to offer reflective materials on their recovery straps.
As a result, those straps shine brightly even under low light conditions, which makes it easy to work with them in any weather condition. So, make sure, you are going with a recovery strap that has bright colors or at best reflector materials.
Contact Point Strengthening
The contact points of the recovery strap are one of the most important yet overlooked features of a recovery strap. Because these points are the most vulnerable on a recovery strap.
Thus, to make these spots strong enough, many brands are using protective sleeves and padding. And, if you want to get the best recovery strap for your vehicle, you should opt for such options with protective padding and sleeves.
Besides, you should make sure that the protective materials are also high-quality and heavy-duty on the snatch straps.
Who Makes Good Recovery Straps?
There are great, reputable brands out there who make quality snatch straps. The notable brands are definitely ARB, Hi-Lift and Smittybilt.
However, ARB stands out among all kinetic strap makers with their massive amount of first-hand experience that goes into their design and manufacturing. They are an Aussie brand, which speaks for itself when it comes to off-roading experience.
How to Properly Use a Kinetic Recovery Strap
You should always refer to the instruction manual of the recovery straps and the vehicle for better results. However, here is a quick rundown of the process of using recovery straps properly.
- First, check the recovery strap for any kind of damage, rips, or cuts before using it
- Clean the area of any rocks or debris that can interrupt the operation
- Next, lay the strap down between the vehicles. You should have enough strap to form an ‘S’ shape between the vehicles on the ground
- Check to make sure that there are no kinks or knots in the strap
- Now, attach the strap to the moving vehicle first. In this case, try to connect the strap to multiple points if possible. And never attach it to the tow hitch while recovering a stuck vehicle
- Then attach the other end of the strap to the stuck vehicle properly
- When everything is done properly, you can start the recovery process. Try to build up elastic potential energy in the strap by moving the vehicle forward a bit aggressively
- And, keep moving forward in a slow manner. So that there will be no sudden jerking movement that could result in damage to the strap
- It is better to use the low gear on the moving vehicle to achieve greater torque. And, one gear higher would be appropriate for the stuck vehicle
What Size Recovery Strap Do I Need
Usually, the rule for sizing straps is 10,000 pounds per inch of width. The emphasis here is on “usually”. Make sure you check your vehicle’s weight as well as the user manual of the kinetic strap you’re planning to purchase.
Therefore, again usually, a strap that is two inches wide has a rating of 20,000 pounds. When choosing a recovery strap, make sure to purchase one that is rated four times your vehicle’s weight. There are recommendations where they say three times your vehicle’s weight is sufficient, and most of the time that is true, but for that extra peace of mind, we always go with the “four times rule”.
The reason being is that you have to take into account those situations where your vehicle is more stuck than you expect, so extra force will be needed to solve the bogged-down situation.
Best Recovery Strap Length
A lot depends on your actual circumstances when you need to use a recovery strap, but most of the time, the longer the better. Shorter kinetic recovery ropes have their advantages (tight places, such as forests for example), but a long rope can be shortened using different techniques, whereas a short recovery strap (if you only have one) cannot be lengthened.
Typically, recovery straps are manufactured with 20 and 30 feet length. If you have to choose, go for the longer one.
Best to choose both sizes available. They will keep your options open when it comes to a difficult recovery situation off-road.
Recovery Rope vs Strap
Recovery ropes actually have numerous advantages over the traditional recovery straps. However, it comes with a significantly higher price.
Snatch ropes have all the benefits of kinetic straps, but with greater longevity, effectiveness and safety.
It achieves that with more stretch which makes it able to recover vehicles safer and easier.
Standard snatch straps stretch about 20%. On the other hand, kinetic ropes can stretch about 30%. That’s a big difference in a recovery situation.
Snatch straps usually have reinforced eyes at both ends. This allow fitment of shackles in order to attach them to the vehicle. During manufacturing, these eyes are formed by looping back the nylon webbing onto itself and then its stiched together.
The eyes of the snatch strap is reinforced and the stiched parts are typically covered by protector sleeves. Despite this reinforcement, this area is the weakest point and, therefore, it’s where you can expect failure sooner than for a kinetic rope.
Kintetic recovery ripes are also made from nylon, however, their structure is a more robust double-braided rope. The stretchy inner rope is protected by an outer layer, which is braided nylon shell. This creates a resistance to abrasion.
This is where the kinetic recovery rope is superior to snatch straps. 4×4 recovery straps (such as the Warn recovery strap) don’t have any outer layer protection over their elastic nylon webbing. In addition, since the kinetic recovery ropes loops are spliced together (as opposed to being stiched like for the recovery pulling straps), they are eliminating the weakest point of an elastic strap.
These advantages are the reasons why a kinetic recovery rope kit can cost two-to-three times more than a traditional snatch strap.
Apart from the reviewed Bubba Rope Power Stretch Recovery Rope above, you can check the following recovery ropes, in case you decided to not go for a recovery strap:
Final Thoughts – Best Recovery Strap
Ranging from the size, break strength, material quality, price, resistance to harsh conditions, and many other traits, navigating the world of recovery straps could be intimidating.
Thus, we have tried to outline this post in a way so that all of your questions on this topic are answered. Add in the fact, we also hope that you have already picked the most suitable one for you from the list above.
Still, if you are in a dilemma trying to research the best recovery straps, then our suggestion would be to get the ARB (ARB705LB) Orange Snatch Strap.
Because this one has the most elasticity, best quality material, high capacity, and from a renowned brand. So, you cannot go wrong with this.
And, if you are looking for an alternative, then the Hi-Lift (STRP-315) Recovery Strap would be a close second.
Either way, a snatch strap should be part of your kit if you aim to put together the best recovery gear for 4WD.
Recommendation for ATV/UTV users:
Mud Bandit Recovery Strap
Reasons why we recommend this side-by-side recovery snatch strap:
- comes with winch a hook and D-ring shackle
- withstands 17,600lbs of force
- features 6-months warranty
- extremely satisfied previous buyers
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