Loops by Yigal Mesika

I purchased Loops by Yigal Mesika because it is one of the most well-known invisible thread products in the magic community. These pre-made elastic threads allow magicians to perform levitation, animation, and telekinesis-style effects with everyday objects like playing cards, dollar bills, and rings. Designed for ease of use, they provide a practical solution for impromptu magic with minimal setup.— Pros & Cons AnalysisPros:1. Convenient and Ready-to-Use• Unlike traditional invisible thread, Loops come pre-made in a perfect circular shape, eliminating the hassle of stripping and tying delicate threads.• Saves time and effort, making them great for magicians who want instant accessibility.2. Ultra-Thin and Nearly Invisible• Loops are extremely thin and blend well in various lighting conditions, making them nearly undetectable under proper angles and conditions.• Great for close-up magic, provided there is proper lighting control.3. Strong Yet Flexible• The elasticity of Loops allows for smooth and natural motion when animating objects, making effects look fluid and organic.• Can stretch without breaking too easily, allowing for a range of effects without constant replacements.4. Portability & Convenience• Small, lightweight, and easy to carry anywhere.• Can be worn around the wrist or stored in a wallet without tangling, making them excellent for impromptu performances.5. Great for Beginners & Professionals• Easy enough for beginners to learn basic levitations and animations without extensive setup.• Still powerful enough for professionals to integrate into high-level routines.6. Includes Quality Instructions• Most versions come with Yigal Mesika’s instructions, which include solid routines and handling tips.• The Animated Miracles booklet or Loops Legends video (if included) adds value, teaching practical effects like the Floating Bill, Haunted Deck, and Moving Objects.Cons:1. Fragility & Limited Lifespan• Despite their elasticity, Loops are delicate and can break easily, especially if mishandled.• Can be frustrating for beginners who accidentally overstretch them, leading to frequent replacements.2. Lighting & Angle Sensitivity• Under certain lighting conditions (e.g., strong backlight or overhead lights), Loops can become visible, requiring careful audience positioning.• Some angles reveal the thread, meaning performances must be well-rehearsed.3. Price vs. Longevity• Loops are relatively expensive compared to bulk invisible thread options.• Since each pack contains only 5-8 Loops, frequent performers may need to restock often, increasing costs over time.4. Limited Strength• Loops work best for lightweight objects like bills, cards, or small rings.• Heavier objects may break the Loop or limit movement, restricting certain effects.— Constructive Comments and RecommendationsWho Should Buy Loops?• Close-Up Magicians & Mentalists: Loops excel in intimate performance settings, particularly for those who perform street magic, restaurant magic, or casual bar tricks.• Beginner Magicians: Those new to thread work will appreciate the ease of pre-made Loops compared to raw invisible thread, which requires more setup and expertise.• Workers & Professionals: For magicians who perform often and need a reliable, hassle-free method of levitation and animation, Loops are a worthy investment.Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?• Stage Performers: Due to visibility concerns, Loops may not be ideal for large venues or stage magic. Thicker invisible thread or alternative levitation methods would be preferable.• Budget-Conscious Magicians: Those who want an economical alternative may prefer buying bulk invisible thread and tying their own loops to save on long-term costs.• Performers Working with Heavier Objects: If you need to move or levitate heavier items, stronger invisible thread or IT reels may be a better fit.— FINAL THOUGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONSAfter using this product I'm able to honestly recommend Loops by Yigal Mesika as one of the best invisible thread products available, offering unmatched convenience and versatility for close-up magic. While they have limitations in durability and object weight capacity, their ease of use and portability make them an essential tool for any magician. If you’re willing to handle them carefully and accept the cost of periodic replacements, Loops are a fantastic addition to your magic repertoire.

This was my first time using loops, so I expected to break them all pretty quickly, and I did. They are more durable if you warm them up first. I will probably buy these again before I try tying my own. The knot on one of them needed to be trimmed up a little before I was comfortable using it.Be careful of lighting and clothes.

These loops are great because there are endless possibilities to play with them. Be very careful with them, but not too careful because you need to test their limits (their breaking points). Start stretching them out slowly without breaking and "exercise them" so they can stretch even farther and won't break as much. I broke three in a week but I exercised them and used them a lot, so breaking just three is a surprise, I thought I'd break all of them by now. This is an amazing product.

Was able to utilize for card tricks, but was so fragile I needed 2 packs just to learn a few tricks. They do work, just a large learning curve, and pricey to replace as often as needed.

I love these loops. I've bought them twice already b/c I keep a loop on my wrist at all times. You never know when the opportunity will arise that you can unexpectedly fool your friends and family into thinking you have a mysterious magical superpower. I especially love it when I'm at a team dinner with my co-workers and the lighting is dim, which is perfect for making my fork move across the table on its own. They NEVER figure it out. Its awesome!

I was skeptical when I first got these, they are tiny and when I wear it I can see it clearly. Even worse you can see it more clearly when used with cards.. They are very fragile, I've broken 10 of them already :( and lost a couple out of those ten. Despite those negatives I must say that these get huge reactions and really do fool people. I've performed the haunted deck with these among friends and strangers, and I love the reactions. Once I do it, they freak out.. they just aren't expecting it. And if you use proper misdirection they won't even be focused on the cards until the moment happens. And once it happens their minds simply can't comprehend it.. I show my hands clean and that's the end. I performed this at a bar for a group of Indian guys and now they think I'm Lucifer.. One guy tried to bless a demon out of me.. I wish they were cheaper.. and I wish they were more durable... because if one breaks and you're out then it sucks not being able to do this trick.. I'm gonna try making mine next to see if that's a more reasonable approach.. I would recommend these to anyone who can afford them and understands that they are gonna break eventually, these won't last forever, period. Oh, and one last thing... Once you learn the bands limits you can get one to last for a while.. I wore the last 3 for 3 days each, performing/practicing about 5-10 times a day.. Also after you've stretched them a few dozen times they become harder to see... sometimes I think I've lost my band just to realize that I just cant see it :/

These are really cool. My son easily figured out how to use them and did magic floating item tricks for us. They are very fine and easy to lose track of--so recommended for older elementary kids and up. Cannot see the strings at all!

I bought these 10+ years ago from Ellusionist and had the 3 Guerilla Guide to Loops videos. The packaging is far superior to what I remember. You get a nice re-usable sort of wallet to keep them in. There is also a free video. I was expecting a graining twenty year old video. It is actually a very nice modern looking wide format/HD video. Excellent video. Since I had previous experience with this product, I was able to follow along with the video with ease.There is really no comparison between this and regular elastic invisible thread. Even if you wanted to just buy spools of invisible thread to save money, you will start tying it into loops after trying this.