Ripstop Nylon

Nylon reinforced with a grid of thicker threads at regular intervals to prevent tears from spreading. Standard for outdoor gear, parachutes, and tactical clothing.

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

65/100

DurabilityStrong92

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortWeak42

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityPoor32

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor30

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingWeak45

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseAbove-average82

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityPoor22

Environmental impact of production and disposal

Products with ripstop nylon

We don't have any garments containing ripstop nylon in our catalog yet. Browse the full synthetic materials or check the product catalog.

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from ripstop 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 ripstop 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 Uses

outerwear

Ideal for windbreakers, rain shells, and hiking pants

activewear

Great for outdoor and tactical gear

Pros

✓ Exceptional tear resistance — rips do not spread
✓ Very lightweight for its strength
✓ Quick-drying and water-resistant
✓ Excellent abrasion resistance

Cons

✗ Not breathable
✗ Feels plastic-like against skin
✗ Rustles and makes noise when moving
✗ Petroleum-based and not biodegradable

Better alternatives

Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.

Gore-TexB

+11 vs Ripstop Nylon · 76/100

Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.

DyneemaB

+10 vs Ripstop 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

+9 vs Ripstop 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

Washcold (30°C)

Cyclepermanent press

Detergentregular

BleachDo not bleach

Dryline dry

IronDo not iron

Dry Cleanavoid

SoftenerNo

Special Notes

• Spot clean when possible

• Air dry — very quick drying

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle with mild detergent
• Air dry or tumble dry on low heat — avoid high heat which can weaken the nylon
• Do not iron — ripstop nylon is heat-sensitive and the grid structure can distort
• Reapply DWR spray after washing if the fabric has a water-repellent finish
• Repair small tears with ripstop repair tape rather than sewing for best results
• Store loosely folded or hung; ripstop does not wrinkle significantly

Cost

$$$$$

Mid-range

Shrinkage

Won't shrink with normal washing

Eco Rating

High environmental impact

Keep exploring

All fabricsBrowse 200+ materials Compare materialsSide by side Products with Ripstop NylonReal garments Care decoderLaundry symbols

FabricIQ

Reading the label…

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

65/100

DurabilityStrong92

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortWeak42

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityPoor32

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor30

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingWeak45

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseAbove-average82

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityPoor22

Environmental impact of production and disposal

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from ripstop 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 ripstop nylon feel and last very differently.

×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle with mild detergent

• Air dry or tumble dry on low heat — avoid high heat which can weaken the nylon

• Do not iron — ripstop nylon is heat-sensitive and the grid structure can distort

• Reapply DWR spray after washing if the fabric has a water-repellent finish

• Repair small tears with ripstop repair tape rather than sewing for best results

• Store loosely folded or hung; ripstop does not wrinkle significantly