Waterproof Ripstop Fabric

Ripstop fabric is a thin, lightweight and waterproof fabric. It is very high quality and is also breathable. Ripstop fabric has raised squares in the fabric to prevent it from ripping and is great for outdoor use, including waterproof jackets, bags and much more. Our range of ripstop fabric includes a combination of waterproof, water resistant and coated ripstop fabrics to suit your needs.

Ripstop is a fabric made of thick, interwoven reinforcement threads to provide resistance to tearing. Is it miraculously rip-proof? That would be a lofty claim.

Ripstop fabrics are a combination of materials that are woven into a square pattern. That’s not new; clothing has been sewn into squares forever. But what makes it ripstop is the extra threads of synthetic fiber that are placed within the weave at certain increments, usually 1/8 inch or smaller. Nylon and polyester are the two most common ripstop additives. This extra thread strength is what stops a tear or rip from continuing beyond the first square, thus the name “ripstop.” It’s not that the material is indestructible – no fabric is that good – but the special structure minimizes the damage to a garment in the unfortunate circumstance that it should get torn or ripped. A snag from an errant rub against a tree limb no longer results in a gigantic tear.

Apparel isn’t the only application for ripstop material. As its popularity grew, ripstop found its way into all sorts of gear, such as tents, backpacks, even parachutes – and the suits jumpers wore on the way down. Today, you can find ripstop materials all over, from jackets and pants to hammocks and hot air balloons. Just about anywhere that a tear would be bad, ripstop can help prevent the problem from getting worse. Look around and you’re likely to find ripstop materials in places you never imagined.