Tyvek

DuPont's spunbond olefin (high-density polyethylene) — a lightweight, paper-like nonwoven material that is waterproof, tear-resistant, and breathable to water vapor. Used in construction housewrap but increasingly in fashion and accessories.

Material Score Breakdown

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

52/100

DurabilityTypical60

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortPoor30

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityTypical55

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor20

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingPoor15

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseWeak45

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityWeak40

Environmental impact of production and disposal

Products with tyvek

We don't have any garments containing tyvek 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 tyvek. 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 tyvek 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

rain

Waterproof and ultralight — good for emergency ponchos and packable rain gear

everyday

Novelty bags, wallets, and avant-garde fashion pieces

Pros

✓ Waterproof yet breathable to moisture vapor
✓ Extremely lightweight — practically weightless
✓ Tear-resistant and puncture-resistant despite being thin
✓ Recyclable HDPE — better end-of-life than many synthetics

Cons

✗ Paper-like crinkly texture — not comfortable against skin
✗ Looks industrial — limited fashion acceptance
✗ Cannot be ironed — melts at low temperatures
✗ Not stretchy — no give or drape

Better alternatives

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

Gore-TexB

+24 vs Tyvek · 76/100

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

DyneemaB

+23 vs Tyvek · 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

+22 vs Tyvek · 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

Washspot clean only

Cyclenone

Detergentmild

BleachDo not bleach

Dryno tumble

IronDo not iron

Dry Cleanavoid

SoftenerNo

Special Notes

• Wipe clean with damp cloth

• Do NOT iron — melts at very low temperatures

• Can be gently hand washed if necessary

Additional Care Tips

• Wipe clean with damp cloth — do not machine wash
• Air dry only — no heat of any kind
• Do NOT iron — Tyvek melts at very low temperatures
• Can be gently hand washed if necessary — will soften and crinkle

Cost

$$$$$

Budget-friendly

Shrinkage

Won't shrink with normal washing

Eco Rating

Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives

Keep exploring

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