Is hook and loop just Velcro?

Before going over the difference between hook and loop, it’s important to note that what most people consider “Velcro” is a product called hook and loop. “Velcro” is a brand, called the Velcro Companies, and they are the original manufacturer of hook and loop fasteners.

What are the Sides of Velcro Called?

Velcro is made up of two sides. There is the hook side of VELCRO® Brand products, which is the rough, scratchy side. The hook is made up of tons of little uniform loops that are then cut in precisely the right spot to create little hooks. These hooks will stick to everything and can often stick to carpet, clothing, pets, furniture and more.

The loop side of VELCRO® is the soft, fuzzy side. The loop is designed to work in conjunction with the hook. The loop is basically a bunch of strands of varying size and length that create a neat bed for the hooks to sink into to take hold.

When you mate the hook and loop (press the two sides together), you get a fastener that is tough and resilient, while also being pretty easy to open.

What Will Velcro Stick To?

Velcro is a versatile fastener that sticks well to a variety of surfaces, depending on whether it's adhesive-backed or sew-on. Adhesive Velcro works best on clean, smooth, and dry surfaces. For fabrics, sewing provides the most secure hold. Always match the right Velcro type to the surface for best results.

Common surfaces Velcro sticks to:

• Fabric (cotton, polyester, nylon)

• Plastic

• Glass

• Metal

• Wood

• Painted drywall

• Cardboard

• Vinyl (some types, depending on texture and adhesive)

• Tile

• Smooth leather

Which Side of Velcro is Stronger?

The hook side of Velcro is typically stronger. It features stiff, tiny hooks designed to latch onto the softer loops on the loop side. Because of its aggressive grip, the hook side offers a firmer hold but can also wear out fabrics or collect debris over time if left exposed.

Which Side of Velcro Goes on the Wall?

The loop side of hook and loop is typically the one that goes on the wall. It's the soft, fuzzy side that grips the harder, hook side. Functionally, it doesn't matter which side of the hook and loop goes on the wall, but when the two sides are not fastened together, the sharper hook side can snag on things and collect debris.

Sometimes it makes sense to put the hook side on the wall instead, like when the other side is being laundered and might collect lint and debris in the process. Additionally, since the hooks are more likely to grab onto fabric or other soft surfaces, attaching the hook side to the wall allows for easy connection with objects that have the loop side on them (such as fabric, felt, or soft materials).

Various Styles of Hook and Loop

Within each side, there are different styles that allow for stronger holds, or for light-duty applications. The stronger the hold, the lower the cycle-life. Cycle-life is the number of times you can fasten and unfasten the hook and loop before it loses half its strength. Some of the most common styles are the wide loop product for their pedal board and thin strips of the hook side for their pedals. Or another example would be someone needing to connect two pads with one strip of 4" wide hook and 2 strips of 2" wide loop.

By selling the sides separately, you have the freedom to choose the product that works best for you. So now that you know the difference between hook and loop, you can explore all of the options we have available to solve your next fastening needs! Browse our different types of VELCRO® Brand products today.