FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Nylon
C
⚠️ Commonly associated with fast fashion. Consider higher-quality alternatives.
Strong synthetic polymer fiber. Lightweight, elastic, and abrasion-resistant. Widely used in activewear, hosiery, and outerwear.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
58/100
DurabilityStrong90
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortWeak50
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityPoor35
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthPoor35
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingWeak50
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseStrong85
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityPoor20
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using nylon
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains nylon. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Comme des Garçons
56 products
Lululemon
54 products
Topo Designs
52 products
Cortazu
45 products
Boody
45 products
Eddie Bauer
43 products
PLST
35 products
Uniqlo
35 products
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing nylon.
Products with nylon
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains nylon. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
Minus33A
Lightweight - Outdoor Sport No Show Socks Minus33 Merino Wool
10% Nylon, 100% Merino Wool
$12
IbexA
Men's Paradox Long Sleeve Tee
10% Nylon, 45% Merino Wool, 45% Tencel, 10% Nylon
$95
SmartwoolB
Women's Merino Bikini 2-Pack
88% Merino Wool, 12% Recycled Nylon
$70
IbexB
Men's GOAT Long Sleeve Crew
89% Merino Wool, 11% Nylon
$95
IbexB
Men's GOAT Short Sleeve Tee
89% Merino Wool, 11% Nylon
$68
Ridge MerinoB
Men's Traveler Merino Full Zip Hoodie
88% Merino Wool, 9% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$150
IbexB
Women's GOAT Short Sleeve Tee
89% Merino Wool, 11% Nylon
$68
Unbound MerinoB
Men's 1 Pack Bundle
4% Spandex, 83% Merino, 14% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$140
Unbound MerinoB
Men's 2 Pack Bundle
4% Spandex, 83% Merino, 14% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$280
Unbound MerinoB
Men's 3 Pack Bundle
4% Spandex, 83% Merino, 14% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$400
Ridge MerinoB
Women's Traveler Merino Full Zip Hoodie
88% Merino Wool, 9% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$150
IbexB
Women's GOAT Long Sleeve Crew
89% Merino Wool, 11% Nylon
$76
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from nylon. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same nylon feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
👔Formal/Office
GoodGood durability (90) and comfort (50) for office wear
Detailed Use Case Scores
outerwear80
activewear75
underwear55
Pros
- ✓ Extremely strong and abrasion-resistant
- ✓ Lightweight
- ✓ Quick-drying
- ✓ Good elasticity
Cons
- ✗ Not breathable
- ✗ Petroleum-based
- ✗ Can feel clammy
- ✗ Static-prone
Better alternatives
Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
Gore-TexB
+18 vs Nylon · 76/100
Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.
DyneemaB
+17 vs Nylon · 75/100
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.
HardshellB
+16 vs Nylon · 74/100
Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.
Care Guide
Washwarm (40°C)
Cyclepermanent press
Detergentregular
BleachDo not bleach
Drytumble low
Ironlow
Dry Cleanavoid
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Avoid high heat — nylon melts easily
• Wash with similar colors — can pick up dye
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle or permanent press cycle
- • Tumble dry on low heat or line dry — high heat can cause nylon to warp or melt
- • Iron on the lowest heat setting only if necessary — nylon is very heat-sensitive
- • Avoid bleach — it weakens nylon fibers and causes yellowing
- • Wash dark nylon separately for the first few washes to prevent dye transfer
- • Use a microfiber-catching bag to reduce microplastic shedding in the wash
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Won't shrink with normal washing
Eco Rating
High environmental impact