Akando Premium Rubber Bands for Parachute Packing

Akando Premium Rubber Bands for Parachute Packing.

For info on the current rubber band manufacturer and process, please see the notes at the end of this description.

Akando premium rubber bands are crafted from 100% natural rubber and steam cured for superior elasticity, durability, and longevity. Unlike salt-cured alternatives, our bands retain their properties for at least 5 years when properly stored - making them the trusted choice for skydivers, riggers, and gear specialists worldwide.

Each band is lightly dusted with talcum powder to prevent sticking and surface cracking.

These rubber bands are the exact size recommended and used by Performance Designs (large and small) and UPT (tandem). These rubber bands are manufactured by Akando.

For most sport skydiving rigs (Spectra, HMA, Technora and Vectran), ChutingStar uses large rubber bands for the locking stows and small rubber bands for the remaining stows. Many skydivers use Large rubber bands for everything and double-stow as needed. For sport skydiving rigs with larger Dacron lines, large rubber bands are usually used all the way around. Tandem rubber bands are used for tandem main canopies.

PD recommends that the line stows should be tight enough for it to take 8-12 pounds of pressure to release each stow.

Sizes: 

• Large/Standard, 2" x 3/8" x .062", 100g / 0.22 lb, Approx. 60 pcs, Talc coated
• Large/Standard, 2" x 3/8" x .062", 1kg / 2.2 lbs, Approx. 600 pcs, Talc coated
• Tandem, 2" x 5/8" x .062", 100g / 0.22 lb, Approx. 38 pcs, Talc coated
• Small/Micro, 1-1/4" x 3/8" x .062", 100g / 0.22 lb, Approx. 92 pcs, Talc coated

Storage Guidelines for Maximum Shelf Life

To preserve the integrity of your Akando rubber bands, follow these best practices:

• Temperature: Store between 15–25°C (59–77°F). Avoid heat sources.
• Humidity: Keep below 65% relative humidity.
• Light: Avoid direct sunlight and UV exposure.
• Ozone: Keep away from electric motors and high-voltage equipment.
• Deformation: Do not stretch, bend, or compress during storage.
• Packaging: Use airtight containers or sealed bags. Desiccant packs (e.g., silica gel) help reduce moisture.

Rubber Band Manufacturing Notes 

Keener Rubber supplied the skydiving industry rubber bands for decades, but went out of business in 2021. From 2021-2025, there was only one business manufacturing rubber bands in the sizes/types used in skydiving: Alliance Rubber. Then in 2025, Akando began manufacturing rubber bands too.

There are differences in the process and materials, and the original standard grade rubber bands from Alliance tended to break much faster than those from Keener. Alliance has since upgraded its process, materials and offerings, and now makes a higher grade Mil-Spec Type 2 rubber band with tighter production tolerances.

There are differences in the Alliance production between the sizes. 

• Mil-Spec Large come in a Pale Crepe Gold Grade, which contains a higher rubber content than the Sterling Crepe Grade. These now have a Talc coating as well.
• Mil-Spec Small & Mil-Spec Tandem come in the Sterling Crepe Grade with a Talc coating.

According to Alliance:

Keener used both natural and synthetic rubber, just as Alliance does. The big difference in Alliance bands verses the bands you bought from Keener is that they used a “steam cure” process and we use a “salt cure." So our bands are not exactly the same as the bands you were getting from Keener. Steam Cure is a slower process and at different temperatures, which creates a different molecular structure. Our Salt Cure is a continuous process, meaning that the bands will continue to cure as they age and this will impact their elasticity over time. Our compounds are also not an exact match to Keener’s. We used the Keener samples that were provided to match as closely as possible to our Sterling Grade Bands, but again, different proprietary compounds. The Mil-Spec Large bands come in our Pale Crepe Gold Grade, which contains a higher rubber content.

According to Akando:

Akando premium rubber bands are crafted from 100% natural rubber and steam cured, like Keener used to do, for superior elasticity, durability, and longevity. Unlike salt-cured alternatives, our bands retain their properties for at least 5 years when properly stored.