Jacket strings are usually drawstrings or drawcords, often paired with cord locks or toggles to tighten a hood, waist, or hem.
Those “strings” on a jacket do a simple job: they let you cinch fabric so wind, rain, and cold air don’t sneak in. The tricky part is the naming. One brand says drawstring, another says drawcord, and outdoor gear labels may mention shock cord or cord locks.
If you’ve ever typed “what are the strings on a jacket called?” you’re not alone. The right term depends on where the cord sits and what hardware it uses.
Common Jacket String Names By Location
| Where It Sits | What It’s Called | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Hood opening (around face) | Hood drawstring, hood drawcord | Tightens the hood so it hugs the face in wind |
| Hood back or crown | Hood adjuster cord, rear hood drawcord | Pulls the hood depth back so it doesn’t droop |
| Waist (inside or outside) | Waist drawstring, waist drawcord | Cinches the midsection for warmth and shape |
| Hem (bottom edge) | Hem drawcord, hem cord | Snugs the bottom so drafts stay out |
| Internal bungee at hem or hood | Shock cord, bungee cord | Stretches, then rebounds to hold tension |
| Cord ends | Aglets, tips, end caps | Stops fraying and keeps the cord from slipping back |
| Sliding hardware on the cord | Cord lock, cord stopper, toggle | Holds the cord tight without knots |
| Cord tunnel | Casing, channel | Guides the cord and spreads tension through fabric |
What Are The Strings On A Jacket Called? By Hood, Waist, And Hem
The short answer is “drawstring” or “drawcord.” Both describe a cord that runs through a channel so you can tighten fabric. Brands pick one label based on style, region, and the type of cord used.
If the cord is round, slick, or paired with spring hardware, you’ll often see “drawcord.” If it’s a flat tape or a casual cotton cord, “drawstring” shows up more.
Drawstring Vs Drawcord
These two words overlap a lot. A drawstring is the everyday term for any string you pull to cinch fabric. A drawcord is a cord built to slide smoothly through a casing and hold tension with less snagging.
When you’re buying a replacement, the jacket’s build matters more than the label. Focus on thickness, stretch, and the way the cord exits the garment.
Parts That Work With Jacket Strings
A jacket cord is only half the story. The surrounding parts decide whether it glides, stays put, or chews itself up after a few washes.
The Casing Or Channel
The cord usually runs inside a stitched tunnel called a casing or channel. On a hem, that tunnel may be visible as a seam line around the bottom edge. On a hood, it’s often a folded strip near the face opening.
Eyelets And Grommets
Where the cord exits, you’ll often see eyelets or grommets. They reinforce the hole and cut down friction. Metal grommets are common on casual jackets; outdoor shells may use stitched eyelets to avoid metal contact in cold weather.
Cord Locks, Toggles, And Stoppers
If your jacket tightens with a squeeze-and-slide piece, you’re looking at a cord lock. People also call it a cord stopper or toggle. Press it, slide it, release it, and the cord holds tension. Some jackets hide the lock inside the hem; others keep it outside so you can adjust with gloves on.
Aglets, End Caps, And Knots
The finished ends of the cord are aglets or tips. On hood cords, tips might be plastic, metal, rubber, or heat-sealed fabric. On technical gear, the cord may end in a knot behind a lock, with no decorative tip at all.
Common Cord Types You’ll See
Not all jacket cords feel the same in the hand. The cord type hints at where it’s meant to work and what you should replace it with.
Flat Drawstring Tape
This is a woven tape, often cotton or a cotton blend. It lays flat, ties easily, and stays comfortable around the face. You’ll see it on hoodies, light jackets, and casual anoraks.
Round Cord
Round cords can be cotton, polyester, nylon, or blends. They slide well through narrow channels and resist water better than plain cotton. Many brands add a tight outer braid so it doesn’t snag.
Shock Cord
Shock cord is an elastic bungee style cord. It stretches, then snaps back, so it can hold tension without knots. It’s common at hems and hoods on rain shells and hiking jackets.
How To Identify The Right Name On Your Jacket
If you’re ordering parts or describing a repair, naming the cord by location works best. Start with where it tightens, then mention the cord type and hardware.
- Hood opening: “hood drawstring” or “hood drawcord.”
- Bottom edge: “hem drawcord,” often paired with “cord locks.”
- Inside waist: “internal waist drawcord.”
- Elastic cord: say “shock cord” so you don’t get cotton.
- Hardware: call out “cord lock” or “toggle” if you need a match.
How To Replace A Missing Jacket String
Losing a cord is common. It slips into the channel in the wash, the tip breaks, or a knot pulls through a grommet. Replacing it is usually a short job if you match the size.
Pick A Replacement Cord
Measure the old cord if you still have it. If you don’t, run a flexible tape along the channel and add extra length for the ends you’ll hold.
- Hood cords: often 90–130 cm, depending on hood size and style.
- Hem cords: often 110–160 cm, since they wrap farther.
- Thickness: match the channel. A cord that’s too thick will bunch and jam.
Thread It Through
- Attach a small safety pin to one end of the cord.
- Feed the pin into the channel and bunch the fabric over it, then slide it forward.
- Keep going until the pin comes out the other side.
- Center the cord, then add tips, knots, or locks.
Set The Ends So They Don’t Vanish
If your jacket uses cord locks, add a small knot behind each lock. If it uses tips, check that the tip grips the cord. If the end is bare, wrap it with heat-shrink tubing or melt synthetic cord ends carefully so they don’t fray.
Drawstring Safety On Kids’ Jackets
Loose cords on children’s outerwear can snag on playground equipment and other fixtures. For kids’ upper outerwear, safety guidance often centers on hood and neck cords. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission explains the hazard and common limits on its page about drawstrings in children’s upper outerwear.
Many safety specs for children’s outerwear are also captured in standards like ASTM F1816, which outlines requirements for drawstrings on children’s upper outerwear.
If you’re shopping for a child, favor jackets that use snaps, elastic, or short tabs at the hood, with no long dangling cords around the neck. If you already own a jacket with hood cords in a child size range, removing the cord is often the safest fix.
Common Problems And Fixes For Jacket Strings
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix That Works |
|---|---|---|
| Cord slips back into the channel | No stopper at the end | Add a knot, tip, or cord lock to each end |
| Cord frays and sheds fibers | Tip cracked or missing | Replace the tip or heat-seal synthetic ends |
| Cord won’t slide | Channel is twisted or cord is too thick | Swap to a thinner cord and smooth the channel seam |
| Cord lock won’t hold tension | Spring is worn or clogged | Rinse, dry, then replace the cord lock if it still slips |
| One side is longer after washing | Cord shifted during spin cycle | Center the cord and add small end knots to hold position |
| Metal tips stain fabric | Coating wore off | Swap to plastic or rubber tips, or cover tips with tubing |
| Grommet tears the cord | Sharp edge or burr | File lightly, add a stitched eyelet patch, or use a tougher cord |
| Shock cord lost its snap | Elastic core aged | Replace shock cord and reuse the locks if they still grip |
Simple Care That Keeps Cords Working
Most cord problems start in the wash. Loose cords tangle, tips crack, and locks jam with lint.
- Tie the ends in a loose bow before washing so they don’t pull through eyelets.
- Close cord locks so they don’t rattle and chip.
- Use a mesh laundry bag for jackets with long hood cords.
- After washing, slide the cord through the channel once to shake out trapped water and lint.
How To Talk About Jacket Strings When Shopping
Product pages and store tags rarely say “strings.” They use parts language. When you know the terms, you can filter faster and avoid surprises.
- If you want a snug fit at the bottom, look for “hem drawcord” or “adjustable hem.”
- If you wear gloves, look for “external cord locks” at the hem or hood.
- If you hate dangling ends, look for “hidden drawcord” or “internal cord locks.”
- If you want stretch, search for “shock cord” at the hem or hood.
Fast Self-Check Before You Head Out
Give the cord a tug, then release it. If it slides back on its own, the lock is slipping or the knot is too small. If the cord feels rough, the tip may be cracked and ready to fray.
Once the cord and hardware feel solid, you’ll stay warmer, your hood will sit better, and you won’t be fussing with loose strings when the wind picks up.
And if you ever find yourself asking, “what are the strings on a jacket called?” just name the spot: hood drawcord, waist drawstring, or hem drawcord. That one detail gets you the right part fast.