Wire Loom
Design Engineering DEI 11008 Easy Loom Split Wire Sleeve Installation Tool 8mm-11mm
Representative Photo, actual item may vary
Representative Photo, actual item may vary
Custom Dynamics SD2-RG-HARN Wire Harness for Shark Demon 2 Dual LED Headlight Road Glide
Representative Photo, actual item may vary
What Is Wire Loom and Why Does It Matter?
A wire loom — also known as a wire conduit or wire cover — is a protective and organizational tool used in automotive applications, designed to enclose and protect electrical wires, cables, and harnesses, keeping them safe from damage, abrasion, and moisture. Whether you're building a custom wiring harness from scratch, restoring a classic vehicle, or cleaning up the engine bay on a powersports machine, wire loom is the unsung hero that keeps your electrical system tidy and reliable.
How Wire Loom Works
Wire loom tubing is a flexible, corrugated plastic sleeve designed to bundle, route, and protect electrical wires and cables from physical wear, extreme heat, and environmental damage. Most commonly manufactured with a slit running along its entire length — known as split loom — it allows you to slide cables in quickly without disconnecting attached fittings or terminals.
It's a key component in building durable, serviceable wire harnesses, especially in harsh or high-vibration environments like automotive, truck, marine, and off-road applications. Wiring looms simplify installation processes and reduce clutter by holding wires together, preventing tangling and damage.
Types and Materials
Automotive wire loom is a flexible, heavy-duty tubing designed to organize and protect complex wiring, cables, and hoses in vehicles, and is made from durable polyethylene, high-temperature nylon, or heat-reflective aluminized materials. Each material is suited to specific environments: standard polyethylene works well for interior and chassis runs, while high-temp nylon or aluminized variants are better suited to the engine compartment where heat exposure is significant.
- Split loom (convoluted tubing): Flexible and used to protect and organize wiring, split loom is also called corrugated loom or flexible convoluted tubing.
- Non-split loom: A fully enclosed sleeve that offers a cleaner look and more complete protection but requires threading wires through before terminating connectors.
- Flame-retardant loom: One of the most premium custom grades, flame-retardant loom survives applications that face high temperatures regularly — a great example being the engine compartment.
What to Consider When Shopping for Wire Loom
When selecting the correct wire loom for your application, there are a few key factors to consider. First, determine the size and capacity needed — wire looms come in various diameters to accommodate different wire thicknesses and bundles. Beyond diameter, think about the thermal and environmental demands of the routing path. Wire loom tubing is available in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles to suit different types of wires and cables.
In automotive applications, wire loom tubing is used to protect wires and cables from heat, moisture, and other environmental factors, and is commonly used to organize wires and cables in the engine compartment, trunk, and cabin. For off-road, marine, or motorsport builds, prioritize looms rated for higher heat and moisture resistance to stand up to more demanding conditions.
Top Brands in Wire Loom
Helix Racing Products is a go-to source for wire loom in the powersports world. Founded in 1993 by motorcycle racers and enthusiasts, Helix Racing Products was built to supply the basic items that all shops, dealers, racers, and DIY powersports enthusiasts need — products to keep powersports machines running on the road, dirt, water, and snow. Their wire loom lineup covers a range of inner diameters, making it easy to find the right fit for motorcycle, ATV, UTV, and other powersports electrical systems.