Stayput Fasteners: Shock-Cord Sizes and Canvas Fit Guide

Loop-and-toggle canvas fasteners in an existing product collage.
Written by Toni Morrison

Choose the right Stayput fastener, compare shock-cord and grommet systems, check pack contents and avoid common canvas-cover sizing mistakes.

Choose Stayput fasteners by the connection you need to make. Shock-cord loops allow movement between a fabric cover and a fixed attachment point; horizontal or vertical fasteners secure a grommeted cover; canvas-to-canvas fittings join fabric sections. These are different systems, even when sellers use “Stayput fastener” for all of them.

For replacing a matching elastic cover fitting, the verified black 6⅝-inch shock-cord-and-fastener ten-pack below is a useful starting point. Confirm how the length is measured and whether you also need the fixed knobs before ordering. It is not a universal replacement for every snap or canvas fitting.

Identify the existing fastener first

System Typical connection What to verify
Shock-cord loop Elastic loop on fabric to a fixed knob or hook Loop length convention, fabric fitting, matching anchor
Horizontal or vertical fastener Eyelet in fabric to a rigid surface Orientation, single/double capacity, actual eyelet opening
Canvas-to-canvas fitting One fabric section to another Fabric thickness, assembly parts and overlap
T Lock Cover-mounted cap/key to a fixed low-profile base Complete matching system and base style
Press clip Fabric to a solid surface using its own cap/stud/base system Do not assume interchangeability with metal snaps

Photograph the existing fitting from both sides before removing it. Record the brand if visible and measure an intact example, rather than using only a stretched or broken cord as a reference. A canvas shop can often identify the system more reliably from those details than from a general product name.

Black shock-cord and fastener ten-pack

The directly checked Amazon listing identifies Stayput 6⅝-inch black shock cord and fastener for boat canvas, ten-pack. Its description states that the pack contains shock cords and fasteners only. Do not assume that deck-mounted knobs, screws, pull tabs or other installation hardware are included.

This is the most relevant shortlisted purchase when you need a matching replacement elastic attachment and the measured configuration agrees with the listing. The ten-pack is a different item from smaller packs, white cords, longer cords, and bundles that add fixed knobs.

Ask the seller to clarify the dimension if your old piece is measured as a finished loop. The listing describes 6⅝ inches as cord length; that is not automatically the distance the assembled loop reaches between fabric and knob. Do not use a guessed conversion to choose a size that will stretch correctly.

Understand the manufacturer’s loop measurements

Stayput’s official black-loop page lists standard loop sizes of 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110 mm, plus other lengths. It describes a 22 mm backing plug and a 6 mm fabric hole for that system.

Those manufacturer dimensions do not establish that every retailer’s “6⅝-inch” cord uses the same naming convention or matches one particular metric size. Compare a dimensioned drawing or ask the supplier to confirm the finished reach. The part needs to provide the intended tension without distorting the cover or overloading its fabric attachment.

If multiple cords have failed, inspect the complete cover. A shrunken panel, weak fabric around the fitting, a damaged anchor or poor alignment can make a fresh cord fail again. Replacing elastic alone cannot repair deteriorated canvas.

Horizontal and vertical grommet fasteners

The original vertical fastener specification describes models for attaching fabric to rigid structures, with single and double versions accepting one or two compatible eyelets. The manufacturer identifies a #4 eyelet with a 9.5 mm inside diameter for this system.

Use the actual inside measurement when comparing suppliers. Eyelet-numbering conventions can differ, and the same-looking grommet can have a different opening or flange. Also check the post height against the thickness and number of overlapping layers.

Horizontal and vertical refer to the fitting configuration; they should not be selected solely by how an online photograph is rotated. Compare the existing base, tongue arrangement and accessible space around the cover edge. A replacement should be usable without twisting or dragging the fabric.

For a metal option, Stayput’s stainless-steel range specifies 316 stainless steel and the same stated 9.5 mm eyelet opening. Material choice still needs to suit the supporting surface and environment. A stainless part does not automatically make an entire assembly maintenance-free.

T Lock is a separate three-part system

The manufacturer’s T Lock guide describes a cap, key and base. The cap and key remain with the cover, while the fixed base receives the key. It offers a rectangular two-hole base with a 5 mm profile and a round one-hole base with an 8 mm profile.

Consider this system when evaluating a new cover design or a properly planned conversion with a fabricator. Buying only the visible top piece will not replace a complete original fastener. The base choice, fabric opening, alignment and installation instructions all matter.

A lower-profile fitting may be attractive when the cover is removed, but it does not guarantee a snag-free surface in every installation. Check walking areas, adjacent surfaces and how the cover is handled in actual use before changing systems.

Match the fixed anchor and the fabric

Shock-cord loops attach to a corresponding knob or hook. Stayput’s horizontal dome-hook page identifies it as a companion for the brand’s shock-cord loop. Its securing requirements differ from those of the original grommet fasteners, which is another reason to avoid treating all pieces as interchangeable.

Do not enlarge an existing hole or drill a new mounting point until the complete assembly has been checked. On a boat, the supporting material, waterproofing, access behind the mounting surface and nearby equipment need consideration. Follow the specific fitting instructions and have a marine canvas or boat-repair professional handle uncertain work.

Buy enough matching components to avoid mixing worn and new hardware accidentally. Keep one correctly identified spare with its packaging and measurements; that makes the next replacement easier.

Inspect the finished cover regularly

Look for frayed cord, loss of elasticity, cracked plastic, loose mounting hardware and fabric beginning to tear around attachment points. Address the cause rather than compensating by stretching a cord farther. A fitting that needs excessive force may be misaligned, incorrectly sized or paired with a cover that needs repair.

Do not interpret a retailer’s “storm” or “heavy duty” wording as a rated working load. No load rating for towing, lifting, personal protection or cargo restraint is established by the sources used here. Canvas fittings should not substitute for equipment designed and rated for those duties.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Stayput fasteners fit the same hole?

No. The manufacturer describes a 6 mm fabric hole for its shock-cord backing-plug assembly and a 9.5 mm inside eyelet opening for original grommet fasteners. Identify the system before changing a hole.

Does “double” mean a pack of two?

Not necessarily. On original grommet fasteners it can mean capacity for two eyelets. Package quantity is a separate specification.

Are knobs included with the ten-pack above?

The verified listing says shock cords and fasteners only. Check the current package contents and obtain matching fixed anchors separately if required.

Should I buy the longest cord to be safe?

No. Too much reach can leave the cover loose, while too little can overstress the fabric. Use the intended finished reach and tension for the actual cover, confirmed by the supplier or fabricator.

Image note: Examples from the product category; pictured models and variants may differ from the options discussed.

About the author

Toni Morrison

Toni is the Senior Writer at Main Street Mobile. She loves to write about the Internet and startups. She loves to read stories of startups and share it with the audience. She is basically a Tech Entrepreneur from Orlando. Previously, She was a philosophy professor. To get in touch with Matt for news reports you can email him on toni@mainstreetmobile.org or reach her out on social media links given below.