Latex Rubber Tube — Elastic Surgical Tubing for Slingshot, Fishing & DIY

Match the Inner Diameter (ID) to the rod, band, or fitting it must slide over, and choose an Outer Diameter (OD) that fits inside any housing or guide. For slingshot bands, a 1.6mm×3.2mm to 3mm×6mm tube is typically used. For fishing rigs and catapult tubing, 4mm×6mm to 6mm×10mm is generally preferred. When in doubt, size up — latex stretches and can accommodate slightly larger fittings. As a reference: 4mm ≈ 5/32", 6mm ≈ 1/4", 10mm ≈ 3/8".

Natural latex rubber tubing is generally rated for repeated elastic stretch up to 3–5× its resting length before fatigue sets in. Thicker wall tubes (larger OD relative to ID) provide more pull force. For heavy-duty slingshot or catapult use, tubes with a wall thickness of 1.5mm or more are typically recommended. Exact load ratings depend on wall thickness and stretch ratio — contact us to confirm for your specific application.

Natural latex rubber is generally resistant to water and performs well in outdoor conditions. However, prolonged UV exposure can degrade latex over time. For long-term outdoor installations, storing unused tubing away from direct sunlight is recommended. The tubing is commonly used in fishing rigs, catapult bands, and outdoor DIY projects without issue under normal conditions.

This is a plain-bore latex rubber tube with no threaded ends — it connects by friction fit, barb fitting, or tie-off. The ID dimension determines what it will slip over. For example, a 4mm ID tube will typically fit snugly over a 4mm barb or rod. No specific thread standard applies; compatibility is determined by the ID and OD dimensions you select.

For a standard slingshot, 1.6mm×3.2mm to 3mm×6mm tubes are most commonly used, offering a good balance of pull force and stretch. For a more powerful catapult or heavy-load launcher, 4mm×6mm to 6mm×9mm is generally preferred. The Natural color is the most traditional choice, but all colors share the same latex compound and elastic properties.

The hollow tubes (listed as ID×OD, e.g., 2mm×4mm) have a central bore and are used where you need to thread a line, rod, or fitting through the center, or where the tube itself acts as an elastic band. The solid rods (listed as 2mm Solid, 3mm Solid, 5mm Solid) have no bore and are used as elastic cords, bungee-style connectors, or shock absorbers where a full cross-section of latex is needed.

1 meter is approximately 3.28 feet or 39.4 inches. So: 1m ≈ 3.3 ft, 5m ≈ 16.4 ft (≈197 in), 20m ≈ 65.6 ft (≈787 in). For most slingshot bands, 1m is typically more than enough for a pair of bands. For fishing rigs or bulk projects, the 5m or 20m options offer better value per meter.