When shopping online, it’s difficult to assess the tactile qualities of materials, so we often rely on descriptions like nylon, cotton, polyester, denim, silk, and other common fabrics. But what about less familiar options? How can we understand their feel and characteristics?
When you touch a piece of fabric, do you truly understand its capabilities? Is it water-resistant, durable, stretchy? To assist, Carry Gear has compiled a fabric guide with historical insights, details, and key points about our favorite fibers and fabrics.
Ballistic: Resilient, sturdy, tear-resistant.
Canvas: Tough against tears, reversible, washable, smoother and lighter than duck, susceptible to mildew.
Cordura: Robust, lightweight, dyeable, resistant to mildew and abrasion.
Cotton: Prone to mildew and sun damage.
Denim: Robust, enduring, tear-resistant, long-lasting, wrinkle-resistant, moderately challenging to sew, maintains shape well, but may wear along seams and be subject to abrasion.
Duck: Durable, tear-resistant, reversible, resistant to abrasion and snags, susceptible to mildew, moderately challenging to sew, maintains shape well.
Nylon: Sturdy, wrinkle-resistant, easy to launder, mold and mildew-resistant.
Polyester: Sturdy, lightweight, wrinkle-resistant.
Polypropylene: Bulky, lightweight, chemical-resistant.
Twill: Generally robust, durable, long-lasting, wrinkle-resistant, retains shape well, and isn’t prone to ripping or tearing easily.
