Cordura and Ripstop: A Comparison of Durable Fabrics

When it comes to durable fabrics, two names stand out: Cordura and Ripstop. Both are tough, reliable, and built to handle wear and tear. But what’s the difference, and which one’s right for you?

Let’s break it down in a simple, no-fuss way to help you decide.

What is Cordura?

Cordura is a brand name for a type of durable fabric made mostly from nylon (sometimes polyester). It’s known for being extremely tough and resistant to wear and tear.

Originally developed by DuPont in the 1920s, Cordura was first used in military wear. Today, it’s a favorite for all kinds of heavy-duty gear, especially tactical equipment.

Key Features of Cordura:

Highly Durable: It laughs off rough surfaces and harsh conditions.

Abrasion Resistant: Scrapes and scuffs? No problem—it holds up.

Water Resistant: Many versions come with a coating to keep water out.

Different Thicknesses: Measured in deniers (like 500D or 1000D), thicker means tougher.

Common Uses for Cordura:

Tactical Backpacks
Vests and Pouches
Military-Grade Bags
Motorcycle Gear

If you need something that can handle extreme conditions and heavy loads, Cordura is your go-to fabric.

Want more details? The official Cordura site has the full scoop. Or learn more in our Cordura fabric guide.

What is Ripstop?

Ripstop isn’t a brand like Cordura—it’s a type of fabric with a unique reinforced weave. It’s woven with a special crosshatch pattern that makes it tear-resistant. Even if a tear starts, the grid pattern helps stop it from spreading.

Ripstop is made from nylon, polyester, or even cotton. It’s lighter than Cordura but still very strong. Perfect when you want strength without extra weight.

Key Features of Ripstop:

Tear Resistance: Its grid pattern stops small rips from growing into big ones.
Lightweight: Strong without weighing you down.
Flexible: Moves with your body, ideal for clothing.
Water Resistant: Often treated with coatings (but not fully waterproof).

Common Uses for Ripstop:

Jackets (softshell or hardshell)
Lightweight Tactical Clothing
Tents and Parachutes
Survival Gear

If you want gear that’s tough but lightweight and flexible, Ripstop is a solid choice.

Cordura vs. Ripstop: The Comparison

Now, let’s compare them side by side.

1. Durability

Cordura: If you need maximum durability, Cordura wins. Think of dragging a bag over rocks or through dense brush.

Ripstop: Durable in a different way. Ideal for stopping tears from ruining everything.

2. Weight

Cordura: Heavier, especially the thick stuff (1000D). Great for rugged bags but can be too much for clothing.

Ripstop: Lightweight and easy to carry. Perfect for jackets, tents, or gear that needs to stay light.

3. Flexibility and Comfort

Cordura: Stiff and rugged. It’s not the most flexible fabric. Best for gear that doesn’t need to stretch or bend much.

Ripstop: More flexible and comfortable. Great for clothing or any gear that you wear or move in.

4. Water Resistance

Cordura: Denser weave and coatings make it better at repelling water.

Ripstop: Good for keeping you dry in lighter rain, but may not handle heavy downpours as well as Cordura.

Quick Rundown

Feature	Cordura	Ripstop
Durability	Extremely durable, abrasion-resistant	Tear-resistant, limits damage
Weight	Heavier, bulkier	Lighter, easier to carry
Flexibility	Stiff and rugged	Flexible and comfortable
Water Resistance	High with treatment	Moderate, can be treated
Best Use Cases	Bags, vests, pouches	Jackets, tents, lightweight gear

Picking the Right Gear for You

So, which one wins? It depends on what you need. If you’re hauling heavy loads or need gear that can survive a war zone, Cordura’s your pick. If you want something light and flexible—like a jacket or tent that won’t slow you down—Ripstop’s the way to go.

At LQ ARMY, we’ve got both in our custom tactical gear lineup. Whether it’s a rugged backpack or a lightweight jacket, we use top-notch materials and real-world designs to keep you covered.

Curious? Check out our tactical gear range or hit us up for a custom order.

Cordura FAQs

1. Is Cordura as good as Kevlar?
No. Kevlar is for extreme strength—think bulletproof vests and stab-proof gear. Cordura’s tough and great against scrapes, but it’s not ballistic.

2. Is Cordura fabric expensive?
It costs more than basic nylon or polyester but is more affordable than specialty materials like Kevlar or Dyneema.

3. Is Cordura stronger than leather?
For resisting wear and tear, yes—especially thick versions like 1000D Cordura can outlast leather. But leather’s better at handling punctures and feels more flexible naturally.

4. Does Cordura melt?
Yes, it can—since it’s usually nylon, it melts at around 255°C to 265°C (491°F to 509°F). It’s not flame-resistant unless specially treated for that purpose.

5. Is Cordura fabric Breathable?
Not much—it’s too tightly woven. That said, some Cordura gear adds breathable coatings or mesh to help air flow, like in jackets or backpacks.

6. Is Cordura fabric washable?
Yes. Use cold water and mild detergent. Avoid hot water, bleach, or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the fabric or its coating.

7. Is Cordura waterproof?
It’s water-resistant with coatings like PU (polyurethane) or DWR (Durable Water Repellent), but not 100% waterproof. For that, it needs an extra membrane or lining.

8. What is stronger than Cordura?
Fabrics like Kevlar, Dyneema, and Spectra are stronger than Cordura in terms of tensile strength and cut resistance. They’re used in things like body armor and high-performance outdoor gear.

9. Is Cordura stretchy?
No, it’s stiff due to its dense weave. Some blends with spandex or other stretch fibers give it a little flexibility, though.

10. Is Cordura stabproof?
No. It’s awesome for durability but won’t stop a knife or sharp object like Kevlar can.

11. What material is similar to Cordura?
Ballistic Nylon, Ripstop Nylon, and heavy-duty Polyester are close matches. Ballistic Nylon especially rivals Cordura for toughness and abrasion resistance.

Ripstop FAQs

12. Can you wash ripstop nylon?
Yes. Use cold water and a mild detergent. Skip the harsh chemicals, bleach, or hot settings—they can mess up the fabric or its coatings.

13. How to keep ripstop nylon from fraying?
To prevent fraying, you can:

Use a hot knife to seal the edges.
Apply a fray-stop liquid or fabric glue to the edges.
Use a zigzag stitch when sewing to secure the edges.

14. Is ripstop fabric noisy?
It can be slightly noisy, especially with a waterproof coating—those stiff fibers make some noise. However, untreated ripstop fabrics tend to be quieter.

15. Is ripstop easy to clean?
Yes. Most dirt and stains can be wiped off with a damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, hand wash or use a gentle machine cycle.

16. Is ripstop hard to sew?
Ripstop can be slightly challenging to sew because of its slick, reinforced texture. Using a sharp needle (like a Microtex or universal needle) and sewing slowly can help.

17. Does ripstop fabric tear?
Ripstop fabric can tear under extreme force, but its grid pattern stops tears from spreading further. It’s tougher than your regular woven fabrics.

18. Is ripstop slash resistant?
Ripstop fabric is tear-resistant but not slash-resistant. It can resist small cuts and punctures, but it won’t protect against deliberate slashing with sharp objects.

19. Does ripstop fabric breathe?
Yes, ripstop fabric can breathe, especially if it is untreated or lightly coated. However, waterproof coatings or laminations can reduce breathability.

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Cordura and Ripstop: A Comparison of Durable Fabrics

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