Cordura
Encyclopedia
Cordura is the brand name for a collection of fabrics used in a wide array of products including luggage, backpacks, pants, military wear and performance apparel. Cordura fabrics are known for their durability and resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs.
Originally developed and registered as a trademark by E.I. duPont deNemours and Company (DuPont
) in 1929, it is now the property of Invista
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc.). Cordura fabrics are made using yarns or fibers from Invista. Fabrics can be made using 100% synthetic fiber or in blends with cotton or other natural fibers. To use the Cordura brand name, each fabric should be tested and approved by Invista.
. The product was further developed during World War II
and used by the military in tires. In 1966, when new formulations of nylon
proved superior, the Cordura brand name was transferred to the nylon product instead. In 1977 researchers discovered a process for dyeing Cordura, which opened a wide variety of commercial applications. By 1979 soft-sided Cordura luggage had captured about 40 percent of the luggage market.
Several classic brands that remain popular today continue to use Cordura fabric in their products. Eastpak was the first brand to use Cordura fabric in their packs while JanSport
used the canvas-like nylon in their original daypacks in the 1970s and continue to use the fabric today. In the 1980s Manhattan Portage began using 1000D Cordura Nylon in their bags to ensure durability. In the 1990s, European workwear clothing brands adopted the 1000D and 500D fabric for reinforcements. Clothing brands like Snickers use the fabric to help their garments last longer. Cordura is also used today in most mid to higher end textile motorcycle jackets and pants due to its high abrasion resistance. It is found in motorcycle gear made by companies such as Klim, Rukka, MotoPort, Rev'It, Olympia, AeroStich, and Dainese.
Cordura fabrics are available in a wide range of constructions, weights and aesthetics, including versions that are designed especially for tear resistance, color retention, and light-weight durability. There are also baselayer, denim and canvas fabrics that contain blends of Invista 420 nylon 6,6 fiber and cotton, known as Cordura Baselayer, Cordura Denim, and Cordura Duck fabrics respectively. The Cordura Naturalle fabric collection, which is based on full dull yarn technologies, is designed to more closely resemble the look and feel of cotton. Cordura Naturelle fabrics are available in knits and wovens, with and without stretch and specialty laminates and finishes.
Some Cordura fabrics have been designed specifically for military and extended outdoor use. Cordura fabrics have a longstanding military heritage (over 45 years), and many US military fabric specs are based on Cordura brand specifications.
New fabrics continue to be developed under the Cordura brand by Invista for application in an increasing range of items.
Originally developed and registered as a trademark by E.I. duPont deNemours and Company (DuPont
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
) in 1929, it is now the property of Invista
INVISTA
Invista, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, is the world's largest integrated fiber, resin and intermediates company. DuPont originally formed the company as a subsidiary in 2003 from its textile fibers division and named it DuPont Textiles and Interiors while a permanent identity was established...
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc.). Cordura fabrics are made using yarns or fibers from Invista. Fabrics can be made using 100% synthetic fiber or in blends with cotton or other natural fibers. To use the Cordura brand name, each fabric should be tested and approved by Invista.
Overview
DuPont originally introduced the fabric as a type of RayonRayon
Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. Because it is produced from naturally occurring polymers, it is neither a truly synthetic fiber nor a natural fiber; it is a semi-synthetic or artificial fiber. Rayon is known by the names viscose rayon and art silk in the textile industry...
. The product was further developed during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and used by the military in tires. In 1966, when new formulations of nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
proved superior, the Cordura brand name was transferred to the nylon product instead. In 1977 researchers discovered a process for dyeing Cordura, which opened a wide variety of commercial applications. By 1979 soft-sided Cordura luggage had captured about 40 percent of the luggage market.
Several classic brands that remain popular today continue to use Cordura fabric in their products. Eastpak was the first brand to use Cordura fabric in their packs while JanSport
JanSport
JanSport is a brand of backpacks owned by VF Corporation, one of the world's largest apparel companies. The company was founded in 1967 in Seattle, Washington by Jan Lewis , Murray Pletz and Skip Yowell...
used the canvas-like nylon in their original daypacks in the 1970s and continue to use the fabric today. In the 1980s Manhattan Portage began using 1000D Cordura Nylon in their bags to ensure durability. In the 1990s, European workwear clothing brands adopted the 1000D and 500D fabric for reinforcements. Clothing brands like Snickers use the fabric to help their garments last longer. Cordura is also used today in most mid to higher end textile motorcycle jackets and pants due to its high abrasion resistance. It is found in motorcycle gear made by companies such as Klim, Rukka, MotoPort, Rev'It, Olympia, AeroStich, and Dainese.
Cordura fabrics are available in a wide range of constructions, weights and aesthetics, including versions that are designed especially for tear resistance, color retention, and light-weight durability. There are also baselayer, denim and canvas fabrics that contain blends of Invista 420 nylon 6,6 fiber and cotton, known as Cordura Baselayer, Cordura Denim, and Cordura Duck fabrics respectively. The Cordura Naturalle fabric collection, which is based on full dull yarn technologies, is designed to more closely resemble the look and feel of cotton. Cordura Naturelle fabrics are available in knits and wovens, with and without stretch and specialty laminates and finishes.
Some Cordura fabrics have been designed specifically for military and extended outdoor use. Cordura fabrics have a longstanding military heritage (over 45 years), and many US military fabric specs are based on Cordura brand specifications.
New fabrics continue to be developed under the Cordura brand by Invista for application in an increasing range of items.