Best Fabrics of 2020

Author's Note -  Many individuals and companies were not as fortunate this year, experiencing loss and hardship unlike anything we've ever seen. With that said, we're incredibly thankful for the opportunity and privilege to continue serving the maker community in this uncertain time.   

We all know about 0.51 oz and 0.8 oz DCF. But this year we released the perfect in-between weight for tarps and tents - 0.67 oz Dyneema® Composite Fabric - CT1E.08/K.18.

It's no secret - DCF has long been coveted as the gold standard in ultralight tarp and tent material. Its combination of strength-to-weight ratio and waterproofness simply can't be beat. 

That said, you want to get the most bang for your buck. The high cost of DCF is best justified when using the lightest variant possible for your application without - and this is important - sacrificing too much durability. 

And that's where we come in :)

Instead of jumping from 0.51 oz to 0.8 oz, you can now select 0.67 oz DCF as a good blend between weight and durability. Use it on things like stuff sacks, tarps, tents, jackets, kilts, ponchos, and more - basically any project where you want a bit more durability than 0.51 oz, but the lightest weight possible. 

For all our material nerds, 0.67 oz DCF actually uses the same base construction as the 0.51 oz DCF, but with an added K.18 PET film layer on one side for increased durability (abrasion and puncture resistance, etc). This K.18 layer also enables digital printing via dye sublimation (coming in 2021).

For the ultralight nerd, this fabric release probably flew under the radar. But for anyone riding a motorcycle or making denim gear, it was a game changer. 

The reason for this is simple. Unlike regular denim, Moto Denim incorporates the wonder fiber Dyneema. The result is a near perfect blend of denim style and comfort with the high-performance world of technical fabrics.

Excerpt from product page: “Whether it’s for more durable apparel that can better withstand the wear-and-tear of an active lifestyle or for full-blown motorcycle protection, Dyneema® Denim offers a full range of lightweight strength while also maximizing coolness and comfort."

This high-end material is already being used by some of the world's top brands (such as Taylor Stitch and Pando Moto ) across industries ranging from action sports, to motorcycle wear, and high fashion. Now you can buy it too. 

Let me simplify this matter. If I could only use one fabric for the rest of my life - this would be it. I’d forgo everything else for the performance that this fabric offers. 

In fact, when we put this product through its paces, we simply couldn’t tear it. We had three people around the office try to rip it - and it wouldn't budge. 

Excerpt from product page: "This material was built to be the ultimate pack fabric. Unlike almost all the market options to date, 3.9 oz Venom™ is made from fully woven, 100% UHMWPE yarn.

What does that mean? Well, compared to similar weight nylon/polyester or even some technical fabrics like X-PAC and Dyneema® Composite, it has:

• Extremely high tear and tensile strength
• Maximal cut, abrasion, and wear resistance

In other words, this stuff is insanely tough to tear, really hard to cut, and durable as hell.

Despite this year's ups and downs, we've been able to serve you - the DIYer and small business maker - better than ever. 

But it ain't over...

We've already got BIG plans for 2021, including a fresh 40,000 sq ft facility for new fabrics, kits, resources, and capabilities. 

As always, we thank you for your support. Nothing we do is possible without you, the maker. We can't wait to see what you create in 2021 :)

What was your favorite fabric of 2020? Let us know in the comments below!