Do You Need a Bootless Ethernet Cable?

Some network patch cables feature molded plastic boots meant to relieve stress on the cable as well as ensure that it remains in place, while cables without boots are better for use in crowded network switches. Which cable you should purchase depends on what environment you mean to install your cable in.

What does it mean when a cable is "booted," and when should you consider buying one as opposed to a cable without a boot? Cables.com offers a variety of cables with both booted and bootless connectors, and you should consider what kind of environment you mean to install your cable in before deciding which to purchase. The safety and stability of your data connection depends on it!

Snagless Boot Ethernet Cable and Bootless Cable: Which to Choose

Cables with Snagless Boots

Have you ever taken a good look at an ethernet or network patch cable? If you have, you might have noticed a bit of molded plastic shielding the space where the connector is joined to the length of the cable itself. It may look something like this:

To put it simply, a booted ethernet cable is meant to fit snugly in its receptacle. This reduces the possibility of unintended disconnections and damage that might occur to the connector or its port in an environment where there might be movement around the cord, like maybe beneath an office desk. Cables.com offers a variety of ethernet cables with snagless boots.

Consider, for example, our Cat5e 350 Mhz 26 AWG Shielded Snagless Cable. This particular cable has a lot going for it - it's shielded for protection in environments with a lot of EMI interference and is fast enough for gigabit applications, featuring RJ45 plugs that are 50 micron gold plated. These traits make it ideal for use in Office VOIP, data, and home networks. And like many of Cables.com's Datacomm cables, it's covered under a lifetime warranty. 

Cables.com stocks a variety of cables with the snagless boot feature, including our Cat6 network patch cables rated for up to 550 Mhz. But what about our bootless ethernet cables? When would a patch network cable with no boot be the better option for you?

When Should You Buy a Bootless Cable?

Now that we've had a look at a booted network patch cable, let's check out a cable without a boot.

This is our Cat6 550Mhz Network Cable. As you can see, this cable doesn't have the molded plastic hood that links the RJ45 connector to the body of the cable like the booted cable did. You might think that can put your connection at risk - why wouldn't you want a boot?

The answer is that not all cables are going to be installed in the same environment. A booted cable might be a good fit beneath a desk, but in a high density network switch environment where there might be many cables running alongside it, the added bulk of the boot takes up precious space.

Like our cables with the snagless boot, our bootless blue Cat6 550 Mhz Network patch cable features a sturdy PVC jacket and quality RJ45 plugs on either end. The key difference is that a network patch cord without a boot allows for maximized speed and performance in data centers and home networks. This is just one reason why they're the best cables for high-density environments like cramped patch panels. When space is tight and you don't anticipate a lot of interference with the cables in your data center, a bootless ethernet cable is the right way to go - and you'll get the same stellar performance you'd get from a cable with an attached boot. 

Questions?

With the broad range of cables featured on Cables.com, you're sure to find one that matches the particular configurations you're looking for - booted or bootless ethernet patch network cables, plenum-rated, shielded or unshielded, all of it conveniently available here on one website. We offer cable in lengths ranging from a mere .5 feet all the way up to 100 feet and more, and you'll also have the option of purchasing all of our cables - including power cords and fiber optic cords - in multi packs as well as in bulk. Not sure what exactly it is your network needs? Our Quick Patch Finder can help with that! Plug in your specifications, and it will suggest a cable setup that might work for you.

SHOP NOW: Bootless Category 5e Network Patch Cable - Category 6 Slim Jacket Patch Cable - Category 6 Patch Cable with Snagless Boot