Choosing the Right Cordura® Fabric for Your DIY Project

X-HT-300421

Cordura® fabric is the toughest, most durable bag-making fabric available at Sailrite®. Known for its exceptional strength, tear resistance and heavy-duty performance, Cordura fabric is a top choice for outdoor and tactical gear. All Cordura fabrics feature a polyurethane coating on the back and a water-repellent finish on the front, making them ideal for all-weather use. But with multiple Cordura fabric collections to choose from, how do you select the best one for your project? This guide breaks down the differences between 500D Cordura, 1000D Cordura, Cordura HP and Cordura Mil-Spec to help you find the perfect fit.
Choosing the Right Cordura® Fabric for Your DIY Project

What All Cordura Fabrics Have in Common

All authentic Cordura fabrics are woven from INVISTA™ yarns, setting them apart from copycat materials. INVISTA is a leader in nylon, polyester and specialty textiles, ensuring superior strength, durability and resilience in Cordura fabrics. Here are the common benefits across all Cordura fabric lines:

  • Woven from INVISTA yarns for premium durability.
  • Water-repellent and quick-drying.
  • Easy to clean.
  • Highly abrasion, mildew and rot resistant.
  • Compliant with California Prop 65 safety standards.
  • Exceptional tear strength for long-lasting performance.

Now, let’s explore the different Cordura fabric collections available at Sailrite.

Cordura® HP: The Economical & Printable Option

Cordura HP is an affordable and versatile option, best suited for backpacks, soft-sided luggage, pet products, outdoor gear, travel accessories, footwear and sail bags. Unlike other Cordura lines, Cordura HP is made from 100% high-tenacity polyester, making it an excellent print medium. If you want to add custom designs, patterns or lettering to your fabric, Cordura HP is the ideal choice.

What Are Different Cordura Fabrics 3
Our selection of Cordura HP colors.

Cordura HP at a Glance:

  • 100% high-tenacity polyester.
  • Printable surface for custom designs.
  • Made from recycled yarn content.
  • Cost-effective alternative to nylon Cordura fabrics.
  • Denier: 915 x 1220D
  • Weight: 10.2 oz/sq. yd.

Shop Cordura HP

Cordura® Classic: 500D Cordura & 1000D Cordura

Cordura Classic is the original Cordura fabric and remains one of the most popular choices. Available in a variety of vibrant colors, this fabric is great for customizing your projects. Sailrite stocks two weights: 500D Cordura and 1000D Cordura. Denier (D) refers to fiber thickness — 500D Cordura is lighter, while 1000D Cordura offers increased durability. Both options are excellent for duffle bags, backpacks, briefcases, protective outerwear, military gear, luggage and footwear.

What Are Different Cordura Fabrics 4
Cordura Classic comes in a wide variety of bright and fun colors.

Cordura Classic at a Glance:

  • 100% high-tenacity nylon.
  • Available in an array of colors.
  • Highly abrasion resistant and durable.
  • Versatile for various applications.
  • Denier: 500D and 1000D
  • Weight: 6.4 oz/sq. yd. (500D) and 9.3 oz/sq. yd. (1000D).

Shop Cordura Classic

Cordura® Mil-Spec: Tactical Performance

Cordura Mil-Spec is engineered to meet United States military specifications (DTL-32439A), making it the go-to choice for military and tactical gear. These fabrics undergo rigorous testing for colorfastness, tensile strength and water repellency to ensure they meet strict performance standards. Available in tactical shades like brown, green, black, gray and camouflage, Cordura Mil-Spec is also environmentally friendly, produced with reduced water, energy and CO2 emissions.

Cordura Mil-Spec is available in both 500D Cordura and 1000D Cordura, offering different levels of durability. Both weights share the same properties and can be used for duffle bags, backpacks, wallets, military gear, pet beds and protective outerwear. Additionally, Cordura Mil-Spec is Berry Amendment Compliant, meaning it is entirely made in the USA.

What Are Different Cordura Fabrics 5
Cordura Mil-Spec comes in nice selection of outdoorsy colors.

Cordura Mil-Spec at a Glance:

  • 100% high-tenacity nylon.
  • Berry Amendment Compliant (Made in the USA).
  • Tactical color options, including camouflage.
  • Highly abrasion resistant.
  • Solution-dyed for superior colorfastness and consistency.
  • Denier: 500D and 1000D
  • Weight: 8 oz/sq. yd. (500D) and 12 oz/sq. yd. (1000D).

Shop Cordura Mil-Spec

Find the Best Cordura Fabric for Sale at Sailrite

Now that you understand the unique features of each Cordura fabric collection, you can confidently choose the right material for your next DIY project. Whether you need 500D Cordura for a lightweight bag, 1000D Cordura for heavy-duty applications or Cordura Mil-Spec for military-grade performance, Sailrite has the best Cordura fabric for sale to meet your needs.

Want to learn more about Cordura's history and innovation in the textile industry? Check out our blog, “What Is Cordura?”

Need help selecting the perfect Cordura fabric? Our team is here to assist! Reach out via phone, email or online chat, and don’t forget to show us your finished projects. Share your creations in the comments or tag us on Facebook and Instagram using #Sailrite. Happy sewing!

Shop All Cordura Fabric

X Ht 300421 3