Ripstop vs Cordura Fabric: Which Is Best for Your Bags?

Fabric choice can make or break a bag’s performance, durability, and appeal. Ripstop and Cordura stand out as two heavyweight contenders in the materials arena—both trusted by brands, outdoor adventurers, and tactical professionals. But when your brand stakes its reputation on quality, you need more than buzzwords. You need hard data on tear resistance, weight, water repellency, cost, and long-term care.

Ripstop fabric features a reinforced grid pattern that halts small tears, is lightweight, and highly packable—ideal for ultralight backpacks and outdoor gear. Cordura, a high-denier nylon weave, offers superior abrasion resistance and structure for heavy-use bags and tactical applications. Each fabric can be treated for water resistance, but Cordura generally holds shape better under load while ripstop excels in weight savings.

Picture a mountaineer scaling a ridge with a custom Szoneier ripstop daypack, its grid-weave shrugging off rock scrapes, then swapping to a Cordura range bag that withstands rough vehicle loading without sagging. That’s the fabric story we’ll unpack.

What Are Ripstop and Cordura Fabrics?

Ripstop is a lightweight nylon or polyester fabric woven with reinforced “ripstop” grid threads that prevent small tears from spreading. Cordura is a high-denier nylon fabric (commonly 500D–1000D) with a tight plain or double weave, prized for exceptional abrasion and tear resistance. Ripstop excels in weight-sensitive, packable applications, while Cordura offers superior durability and structure for heavy-use bags and tactical gear.

Understanding Ripstop and Cordura Fabric Construction

Choosing between Ripstop and Cordura fabrics means grasping how each material’s construction influences performance, feel, and suitability for different bag applications. Below, we explore their origins, fiber makeup, weave structures, and the trade-offs that guide professional designers and manufacturers in fabric selection.

1. Origins and Fiber Composition

Ripstop Fabric:

• History: Developed in the 1940s for military parachutes, ripstop’s grid reinforcement was designed to halt tear propagation in critical parachute canopies.
• Fibers: Most modern variants use nylon (40–210 denier) or polyester, each chosen for UV resistance (polyester) or tensile strength (nylon).
• Grid Reinforcement: Thicker reinforcement yarns are woven into the base plain or taffeta weave at regular intervals (every 5–8 mm), creating visible squares that “stop” nicks and punctures from growing.

Cordura Fabric:

• History: Introduced by DuPont in 1929, Cordura began as a high‐strength nylon for military boot uppers. Over decades, its applications expanded into rugged luggage, backpacks, and apparel.
• Fibers: Comprised of nylon 6,6 yarns with deniers typically between 200D and 1000D, Cordura emphasizes high tenacity and abrasion resistance.
• Weave Structure: Uses a dense plain or double weave without grid reinforcement, relying instead on thicker yarns and tight interlacing for tear and abrasion resistance.

2. Weave Patterns and Physical Characteristics

• Ripstop’s Advantage: Ultra-light panels fold or roll into pockets, ideal for daypacks or stowable rain covers. The grid threads dramatically reduce tear spread, which is especially valuable in minimalist designs where every gram matters.
• Cordura’s Advantage: The thicker yarns and tight weave deliver top-tier abrasion resistance, making it the go-to for motorcycle saddlebags, tool carriers, and heavy-duty luggage that must withstand conveyor belts and rough handling.

3. Functional Trade-Offs: Performance vs. Weight

Weight Savings (Ripstop):

• Ultralight designers favor 40D–70D ripstop to shave grams. For instance, a 50D ripstop jacket weighs under 150 g total, versus a 500D Cordura pack that might weigh 500 g for the same surface area.
• This translates to significant backpacking carry-weight reductions—critical on long treks.

Structural Durability (Cordura):

• Even lighter Cordura grades (e.g., 500D at ~250 g/m²) can comfortably bear 10–20 kg loads without visible sagging, thanks to the fabric’s inherent stiffness.
• Their abrasion resistance outperforms ripstop by 5–10× in standardized Martindale tests.

4. Treatment and Finish Compatibility

Both fabrics can be enhanced with coatings or laminates for water resistance and UV protection:

• Ripstop Coatings: PU lamination or silicone on face/back—lightweight but requires periodic reproofing.
• Cordura Finishes: Durable Water Repellent (DWR) like C0/C6 and TPU laminates offer long-lasting waterproofing but add 20–30% to fabric weight.

5. Application-Driven Selection

• Ultralight Daypacks & Shells: Ripstop 70D–100D, favored for minimalism and compact stowage.
• Everyday Backpacks & Camera Bags: Midweight (210D) ripstop or 500D Cordura for balanced handling.
• Tactical & Expedition Gear: 1000D Cordura or hybrid—ripstop bodies with Cordura bases and stress-point reinforcements.

What Is Ripstop Fabric Good For?

Ripstop shines when weight savings and packability are priorities. It also accepts PU or silicone coatings for waterproof jackets and tents. However, its thinner base fabric means it can abrade faster than Cordura on rough surfaces.

How Do Ripstop and Cordura Compare in Durability and Strength?

Cordura’s high-denier nylon weave (500D–1000D) delivers superior abrasion resistance and tensile strength—often exceeding 50,000 Martindale cycles and 200 N tear strength. Ripstop (40D–210D) uses grid-reinforced threads to halt small tears but has lower base durability (5,000–10,000 Martindale cycles). Ripstop excels at preventing tear propagation, making it ideal for lightweight gear, while Cordura’s dense fabric structure resists wear and heavy loads, making it the go-to for rugged, long-lasting bags.

1. Abrasion Resistance

• Cordura: Engineered for extreme wear, Cordura’s nylon 6,6 fibers in 500D and 1000D grades withstand over 50,000 to 100,000 Martindale abrasion cycles. This translates to years of heavy use in high-friction areas—bag bottoms, straps, and external pockets—without visible fabric breakdown.
• Ripstop: Lightweight ripstop (70D) handles ~5,000 cycles, midweight (210D) around 10,000 cycles. While the grid weave reduces the spread of small abrasions, the thinner base yarns wear through faster under sustained friction, requiring reinforcement in high-wear zones.

2. Tensile and Tear Strength

• Cordura Tensile Strength: A typical 500D Cordura yields 200–300 N tensile strength per fabric strip, and 40–60 N tear strength. Its tightly woven structure and thick yarns resist both straight tears and punctures.
• Ripstop Tensile Strength: Lower denier ripstop measures 80–120 N tensile strength, and 10–15 N tear strength in the base fabric. However, the reinforcement threads at 5–8 mm intervals act like “speed bumps,” preventing tears from enlarging and often maintaining integrity when small holes occur.

3. Tear Propagation vs. Bulk Resistance

• Ripstop’s Grid Advantage: Small nicks in ripstop hit the reinforced threads, stopping tears dead in their tracks. This “safety net” makes ripstop ideal for emergency equipment—parachutes, kites, and ultralight packs—where small tears are common but catastrophic failure is not.
• Cordura’s Bulk Strength: Without grid lines, Cordura relies on sheer fabric mass. A tear may propagate more easily than in ripstop, but the dense weave resists puncture and abrades slowly, creating frayed edges rather than holes.

4. Real-World Application Scenarios

• Ultralight Hiking Packs: Backpackers bleed grams; ripstop’s ultralight 70D body fabric reinforced at stress points keeps pack weight under 1 kg, yet resists branch snags.
• Tactical & Industrial Gear: Military and tradespeople demand unyielding durability. A 1000D Cordura rucksack can take thousands of entries and exits on concrete floors and vehicle racks.

What Are the Disadvantages of Ripstop Fabric?

• Abrasion Vulnerability: Without coatings, bare ripstop frays quickly on rough terrain.
• Uneven Wear: Grid lines can create weak-x intersections if tension is uneven.
• Limited Structure: Bags sag under load unless reinforced with webbing or linings.

What Is Stronger Than Cordura?

• High-Denier Cordura (1000D): Greater abrasion and tensile metrics.
• Aramid Fabrics (Kevlar®, Nomex®): Exceptional tear and cut resistance, used in protective gear.
• UHMWPE (Dyneema®): Tensile strengths >500 N for similar weights—often laminated to nylon for extreme-duty garb.

Is Dyneema Better Than Cordura?

Dyneema’s superior tensile and cut resistance at half the weight surpasses Cordura in protective contexts; however, it lacks woven structure, requiring laminates that can delaminate over time. For general bag frames, Cordura offers a better balance of cost, sewability, and proven long-term performance.

Which Fabric Offers Better Water Resistance and Weather Protection?

Both ripstop and Cordura can be treated for water resistance: ripstop commonly uses PU or silicone coatings; Cordura uses TPU lamination or C0/C6 DWR finishes. Untreated, ripstop absorbs water faster due to lighter base yarns, while Cordura’s denser weave resists penetration longer but still wicks. For true waterproofing, ripstop’s silicone coats generally outperform Cordura’s DWR, but excellent Cordura laminates (100% TPU) offer full waterproof seals.

Ripstop Treatments

• PU Coating: Cost-effective, adds waterproof barrier but reduces breathability.
• Silicone Coating: Strikes balance—lightweight, flexible, durable, with natural feel.
• Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF): Ultrahigh-weight waterproof laminate, but high cost.

Cordura Treatments

• TPU Lamination: Industrial waterproofing on back side—full submersion capable.
• DWR Finishes (C0 to C6): Fluorine-free (C0) to C6 DWR for environmental compliance—water beads off surface.
• OEM Laminates: Multi-layer waterproof breathable membranes for premium bags.

Is Cordura 100% Waterproof?

• Untreated Cordura: Water-resistant only by weave density.
• DWR Only: Repels splashes but not immersion.
• TPU-Laminated Cordura: True waterproof up to hydrostatic heads of 5,000+ mm—used in dry bags and protective covers.

Comparative Table: Water Performance

What Are the Weight, Flexibility, and Packability Differences?

Ripstop fabrics (40–210D) weigh 30–80 g/m², offering unmatched packability and flexibility—bags fold small for storage. Cordura (500–1000D) weighs 200–400 g/m², providing structure and form but bulkier when stowed. Ripstop suits ultralight daypacks; Cordura excels where bag shape must hold under load.

Ripstop Weight & Packability

• Ultra-Light Grades (40–70D): Ideal for foldable daypacks and pitons.
• Mid-Grades (100–210D): Balance durability with still-packable convenience.
• Pack Volume Reduction: Ripstop daypacks compress to <5% of usable volume.

Cordura Weight & Structure

• 500D: Typical daypack, weighs ~250 g/m²; moderate bulk.
• 1000D: Tactical packs, ~400 g/m²; rigid, holds shape even empty.
• Form Retention: Ideal for bags requiring easy opening, secure access, and load-bearing pockets.

Table: Weight vs. Flexibility

Are There Cost, Availability, and Manufacturing Considerations?

Ripstop (40–210D) costs $3–$6 per yard and has global nylon/polyester supply chains; Cordura (500–1000D) costs $10–$18 per yard, with more specialized mills. Ripstop’s lightweight nature speeds cutting and sewing; Cordura demands heavy-duty needles, Teflon feet, and reinforcement. Minimum orders for custom finishes start at 500 m for both, but Cordura laminates may add 2–3 weeks lead time.

Raw Material Costs & MOQs

• Ripstop: Nylon-based $3–$6/yd; polyester-based slightly cheaper.
• Cordura: $10–$18/yd for 500D; $18–$25/yd for 1000D.
• MOQ: Standard 500 m, but Szoneier offers low-MOQ 300 m for emerging brands.

Lead Times & Custom Finishes

• Ripstop Coatings: 1–2 weeks for PU, 2–3 weeks for silicone.
• Cordura Laminates: 3–5 weeks for TPU backing or specialty DWR.

Manufacturability

• Cutting & Sewing Ripstop: Easy on standard machines; lightweight blades suffice.
• Cutting & Sewing Cordura: Requires heavy-duty blades, industrial machines, and Teflon-coated presser feet to glide.
• Edge Finishes: Ripstop edges fray—needs heat-sealing or bound seams. Cordura holds edge cleanly but can blunt scissors.

How Do You Choose Between Ripstop and Cordura for Specific Bag Applications?

Choose ripstop when you need lightweight, packable gear with built-in tear arrest (e.g., ultralight daypacks, rain covers). Opt for Cordura when abrasion resistance, structure, and load-bearing are paramount (e.g., tactical rucksacks, tool bags, luggage). For mixed needs—like commuter packs—use a hybrid: ripstop body panels plus Cordura reinforcements on bottoms and high-wear areas.

Selecting between ripstop and Cordura isn’t about “better” or “worse”—it’s about which fabric’s strengths align with a bag’s intended use. Here’s how to make that call:

1. Ultralight & Packable Applications

• Ripstop’s Advantage: With deniers as low as 40–70D and a grid weave to stop small tears, ripstop weighs just 30–80 g/m². This makes it perfect for backpacking daypacks, rain ponchos, and stuff-to-pocket rain covers. When grams matter more than structure, ripstop lets you carry essentials without bulk.
• Design Tips: Reinforce stress points—strap anchors and base corners—with heavier ripstop (e.g., 210D) or small Cordura patches to prevent premature wear.

2. High-Abrasion, Heavy-Use Gear

• Cordura’s Advantage: Available in 500D–1000D grades, Cordura’s thick nylon weave resists scuffs and tears in rough environments. Ideal for tool bags, motorcycle saddlebags, and expedition duffels, it maintains form under heavy loads.
• Design Tips: Use Cordura on the bottom panels, pocket faces, and any area dragged across surfaces. For even greater durability, consider double-weave or TPU-laminated Cordura for full waterproofing.

3. Everyday Commuter & Travel Bags

• Balanced Performance: Commuter backpacks and camera bags require both lightness for daily carry and durability against urban abrasion. A hybrid approach works best:
  • Ripstop Body Panels: Keep the bag lightweight and compressible when empty.
  • Cordura Base and Corners: Protect the bag when it sits on subway floors or bumps against desks.
• Design Tips: Integrate internal stiffeners or frame sheets to maintain upright form while leveraging ripstop’s packability.

4. Tactical & Specialized Equipment

• Cordura for Modularity: Tactical rucks often sport MOLLE webbing and tool attachment points sewn directly to Cordura, which withstands repeated gear changes.
• Ripstop for Stealth & Weight: Lightweight, quiet ripstop variants (e.g., “Sil/PU” ripstop) reduce gear noise and weight—useful for hunting or special-ops backpacks.

5. Aesthetic & Brand Positioning

• Ripstop Look: Its micro-grid texture conveys a technical, minimalist aesthetic—popular with adventure and streetwear brands.
• Cordura Look: The more pronounced weave and sheen signal ruggedness and premium build quality.
• Customization: Both accept prints, DWR coatings, and silicone or PU finishes—choose finishes that match your brand story (e.g., eco-friendly DWR for sustainable lines).

6. Cost & Production Considerations

• Ripstop Pricing: Generally $3–$6/yd; easier to cut and sew on standard machines—faster production cycles for light gear lines.
• Cordura Pricing:$10–$18/yd; requires heavy-duty needles and slower sewing speeds—better suited to higher-value, lower-volume productions.
• MOQ & Lead Time: Both fabrics often have 500 m MOQs, but treated Cordura laminates can add 2–3 weeks to lead times.

How Should You Care for and Maintain Ripstop vs. Cordura Bags?

To care for ripstop bags, spot-clean with mild soap and cold water, air-dry, and reapply silicone or PU coatings annually. For Cordura bags, remove loose dirt, hand-wash with gentle detergent, renew DWR with heat or spray-on repellents, and avoid machine washing laminated panels. Store both in a cool, dry place; empty and air out wet bags promptly to prevent mold.

1. Ripstop Care & Maintenance

Routine Cleaning

• Spot Cleaning: Mix a small amount of mild, pH-neutral detergent with cool water. Use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub surface grime, focusing on soiled areas.
• Full Wash: For heavily soiled bags, hand-wash in a basin using the same mild solution. Submerge briefly, agitate lightly, then rinse thoroughly in clean water.

Drying & Storage

• Air-Dry: Hang the bag upside down or lay flat in shade, ensuring all pockets remain open for ventilation. Avoid direct heat sources or sunlight, which can degrade fabric and coatings.
• Storage: Once dry, store empty in a breathable cotton bag or hang in a cool, dry closet to prevent mildew.

Reproofing Waterproof Coatings

• PU Coatings: Lightly buff the surface, then apply a thin, even layer of polyurethane “refinish” using a soft cloth. Allow to cure per manufacturer instructions (often 24–48 hours).
• Silicone Treatments: Warm the fabric slightly (hair dryer on low), rub in silicone wax bars or spray-on formulations, then buff off excess for a uniform finish.

Repairing Tears & Abrasions

• Internal Patches: Use adhesive-backed ripstop patches on the interior, aligning the grid pattern for seamless integration.
• Heat-Bonded Tapes: For coated ripstop, interior heat-activated tapes can seal small punctures without visible stitching.

2. Cordura Care & Maintenance

Routine Cleaning

• Dust & Debris Removal: Shake out or brush with a soft bristle brush to dislodge grit that could abrade the surface.
• Spot & Hand Washing: Use a soft sponge and mild detergent. Gently scrub soiled areas; avoid soaking laminated interiors to protect TPU films.

Reactivating DWR Finishes

• Heat Activation: After cleaning, tumble dry on low heat (if tag permits) or use a handheld garment steamer to reactivate factory-applied C6 DWR.
• Spray-On DWR: For areas where water no longer beads, apply a fluorine-free, eco-friendly DWR spray. Allow to dry fully before use.

Caring for TPU-Laminated Cordura

• Avoid Machine Agitation: Do not machine wash or tumble dry; instead, wipe with a damp cloth.
• Prevent Delamination: Keep sharp objects away from seal seams; if delamination occurs, professional re-lamination or edge sealing is recommended.

Handling Abrasions

• Minor Scuffs: Gently buff with a nylon brush; most abrasions will blend into the texture.
• Deeper Snags: Trim protruding fibers, then apply a small dab of clear fabric glue to secure yarn ends.

3. General Best Practices

4. Pitfalls to Avoid

• Harsh Detergents: Bleach or fabric softeners break down fibers and coatings.
• Direct Heat: Sunlight or heaters can embrittle both ripstop and DWR finishes.
• Over-Soaking: Extended immersion weakens adhesives and laminates.
• Ignoring Damage: Small punctures or seam frays can quickly worsen under load; address them promptly.

Ready to Elevate Your Bag Collections?

Whether you choose ripstop, Cordura, or a hybrid design, Szoneier brings 18 years of expertise in custom bag manufacturing—offering low MOQs, free design mockups, rapid prototyping, and global shipping. Let us help you select the perfect fabric blend for your next private-label or OEM/ODM bag line.

Contact us today for personalized consultations and fabric samplings.Turn fabric insights into customer victories with Szoneier’s tailored solutions.