Braids are textile constructions which yarns cross each other in diagonal directions. There are round braids and flat braids.   Round braids   Round braids have a round or oval cross section. They are called cords or ropes according to their thickness. Also carbon or aramid sleevings used eg. for paddle shafts are round braids.   Flat braids   Flat braids are called laces. Today they are not widely used in the textile industry because their production is more expensive than other techniques. But they play a very important role in technical textile industry due to their special and unique properties. A typical example is aramid laces for inner and outer seams on slalom and downriver kayaks.