Booted vs. Bootless Network Patch Cables - Which Do You Need?

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.

If you've been shopping for cables for a while, you've probably noticed that some ethernet and network patch cables are referred to as "booted" while others are "bootless." What does it mean for a cable to come with a boot, 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!

Why Should You Buy a Cable with Boot?

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:

Let's consider our Category 6 Shielded Ethernet Cable with a Snagless Boot. See that rounded blue bit of plastic over the 50 micron gold plated RJ45 connector? That piece is meant to ensure a snug fit in the cable's receptacle, so you don't have to worry about the cable being pulled loose or bent sharply unexpectedly. If your cable is installed in a high-traffic work space where employees may be coming and going frequently, there's always the possibility that your cable me be jostled and your connection interrupted. This particular cable contains a high quality 100% bare copper wire interior, and we never use CCA wire, which can't be relied on to carry a signal properly. Our Category 6 ethernet cables are rated for up to 550Mhz, fast enough for gigabit applications, and our shielded cables protect against EMI or Electromagnetic Interference in noisy data environments. These boots may bulk up the cable some, but they work to keep your connection strong and stable. And the best part is, they come with a Lifetime Warranty!

Why 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. If you don't expect your network patch cable to be handled much, a bootless cable will do you just fine! And you'll get the same stellar performance you'd get from a cable with an attached boot. 

Questions?

If you have questions, we have answers! We'd love to hear from you. Contact Us or shoot us an email at sales@cables.com. If you're looking to purchase your cables in bulk or would like to request a custom cable color, length, or configuration, we're happy to help. 

Happy shopping!

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