Ripstop fabrics are woven fabrics, often made of nylon, using a reinforcing technique that makes them more resistant to tearing and ripping. During weaving, stronger (and often thicker) reinforcement yarns are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern.

Ripstop is typically used in making products for the outdoors. Sails, tents, sleeping bags, flags, banners, just to name a few. It can be used as a reinforcing fabric in products or clothes made to be worn in extreme conditions.

Is ripstop waterproof?

This fabric is also coated with PU (polyurethane) which allows for the ripstop to be waterproof, withstanding all types of water exposures. The ripstop fabric can be used for kites, flags, banners, camping equipment, tents, hammocks, pants, sleeping bags, windbreakers and more

How thick is ripstop? 0.2 to 0.3 inches

One other very important structural characteristic of ripstop is the thing that allows it to stop rips. That thing is its yarn thickness (which also happens to correlate with weave technique). In a ripstop fabric, thicker yarn is placed at intervals of 5 mm to 8mm (or 0.2 to 0.3 inches)

Does ripstop shrink?

Because of the synthetic makeup of the fabric, ripstop tends to shrink less – and sometimes not at all, depending on the cotton-to-polyester ratio of the fabric. As its name suggests, it is also a very durable fabric, highly resistant to tearing.

What is the best ripstop material?

Nylon Ripstop is more costly, but it feels softer and more elastic. Polyester ripstop is both more durable and less expensive. Polyester Ripstop is more heat resistant than nylon. Polyester Ripstop is UV resistant and holds its colour far longer than nylon ripstop.