Lanyards are ever-present in schools and offices, used as holders for identification cards and access badges. There are many types of lanyards. Some opt to buy tubular lanyards, woven, nylon, or even a fashionable ones. However, these straps of fabric can be used for more than just ID laces. Here are just a few unique uses for lanyards beyond the walls of the academe and the workplace.
Hiking and Camping
Going hiking or camping means you have to carry a lot of tools and equipment with you. From food and water containers to hygiene implements and pocketable raingear, you would be surprised at the long list of items that outdoorsmen can (and have to) carry.
A lanyard provides hikers and campers easier access to small and frequently used tools like pocket knives and multitools, flashlights, laser pointers, lighters, and lengths of paracord. In fact, some lanyards are actually made of braided paracord specifically for this purpose.
Lanyards can also be used to carry compasses, compact binoculars, sunglasses, distress beacons, and even small bottles of insect repellent.
Key Holder
Keys are among the most easily misplaced items at home. Using lanyards to hold and keep your keys is a practical solution, not only because lanyards are widely available but they can also help with organization. For example, you can use separate lanyards for home keys, vehicle keys, office keys, and so on, instead of keeping the whole lot attached to a single keyring.
You can also use lanyards to hold other items that are often misplaced around the house like prescription eyeglasses, remote controls, pens, USB flash drives, and even nail clippers.
Cell Phone Strap
Considering how much we rely on our smartphones nowadays (and the amount of time and money we spend on them), one would think that we would take extra measures to take care of these gadgets. But alas, cell phones are among the most common items that people lose.
This unfortunate incident can be prevented simply by tethering your phone to yourself with the use of a lanyard. If you feel a bit uncomfortable with having a cell phone dangling from your neck, select a shorter model and strap your phone to your wrist instead.
Camera Strap
While today’s mobile phones can certainly take gorgeous pictures, there’s still something to be said about photographs taken by a good old camera.
Professional photographers and hobbyists can make use of lanyards to hold their gear and accessories. Bigger cameras like manual and digital SLRs may need thicker, wider lanyards but for smaller, more compact point-and-shoot cameras, basic polyester or nylon lanyards will do more than just fine.
Concerts and Other Events
Lanyards are also ubiquitous in concerts, conventions, and similar events. Just like at school and at work, lanyards are often used in these occasions as ID holders for the security staff, organizers, sponsors, and other authorized personnel.
Apart from identification, lanyards also provide promotional mileage for a brand or company as giveaways. You may even consider handing out branded merchandise like flash drives and pens attached to similarly branded lanyards.
Traveling
Travelers and tourists may find lanyards to be especially useful in carrying necessary IDs like their passports, credit cards, and hotel keys. Attachments like carabiners or thumb hooks allow one to easily fasten small pouches or wallets to lanyards, making organization a breeze. Shutterbugs will also love lanyards, as they don’t have to whip their phones or cameras out from their pockets or bags whenever they want to take selfies and other photos.
The best part about lanyards is they are very affordable, making it even easier for you to organize your belongings or promote a cause or your organization. Indeed, with a wide range of customization options, lanyards can help you do both at the same time.