This page shows you all the fabrics, materials, hardwares, soft goods and available color options I use for my work. Hope this little presentation helps to get a more detailed picture about your possibilites to purchase a gear what suits your needs better than a simple mass product.
PLEASE NOTE: I'm not a retailer or distributor of these products. Thus I can't sell them.
EXTERIOR FABRIC
The standard fabrics are 1000 or 500 denier Cordura®, which are very durable and abrasion resistant. They also feature a urethane coating on the back and a durable
water-repellant (DWR) finish on the front for enhanced water resistance. Some of the fabrics got fire retardant (FR) finish. If the fabric has such a coating I always notice that in the description of gear.
Mil-Spec code: Mil-C-43734.
Class 3: 1000D Cordura®
Class 4: 500D Cordura®
Mil-Spec code: Mil-C-43734.
Class 3: 1000D Cordura®
Class 4: 500D Cordura®
Solid colors
Camo Colors
(Note: the colors might appear slightly different on your screen than in reality.)
INTERIOR FABRIC
Mostly, I use the same fabric for interior works. However, sometimes it's necessary to reduce the weight, brigthen up interiors or raise visibility. To reduce weight, I apply 500D Cordura® for the job. To brighten up interiors or raise visibility I use a wide range of fabrics from 330D Cordura® to 70D RipStop Nylon in Hi-Viz colors, such as
IllumiNite Blaze Orange or
Fluorescent Yellow (EN471/ANSI standard)
PADDING
When it's necessary for support or comfort I build in Plastazote LD45 closed cell foam into the products. Plastazote LD45 foam is a high density, light weight, chemically neutral, acid free and inert polyethylene foam material. Due to the closed cell structure it doesn't adsorb water. Therefore your gear won't become heavier. Effective in a broad temperature range -70 to 110˚C (-94 to 230˚F).
MESH
There are two different kind of mesh fabrics what are essential for some works in tactical gear making. One of them is a spacer. Also known as sandwich spacer mesh, 3D mesh spacer or simply air mesh. Available in several thickness (2-5mm). The other one is basically a very tough nylon grid, widely used by armed forces, police departments and paramilitary groups for MOLLE and IOTV vests, aircraft and combat vehicle seats, helmet linings or medical pack components. The 3D mesh spacer is used mostly for inside of battle belts, back panels of backpacks, shoulder straps, etc. The mesh fabric is good in such a places where surface of gear is exposed for higher stresses and you need a really tough fabric, but with a breathable feature. Tactical vets are perfect examples, but you can also make mesh pockets out of it. Available colors: black, khaki, olive drab, coyote brown and foliage green. Berry Compliant.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-C-8061
3D mesh spacer in different thickness
mesh fabric
WEBBING
Almost everything requires some kind of webbing in tactical gear making. No matter it is a GP pouch what you want to attach to your backpack or the parts of your backpack itself (shoulder straps, comprassion straps, PALS, etc.). There are two main type of webbing used for tactical gears. The Mil-Spec A-A-55301 is the common webbing used for PALS/MOLLE webbing (former Mil-Spec code was Mil-W-43668). It has five different types refered to the width of webbing strap. The 1" width is Type III. It comes in 0.046" thickness and its tension strength is 1000lbs. The other very popular webbing is the Mil--W-17337. Intended use is declared for life preservers, rucksacks, and similar equipment. Basically a good thin and flexible webbing for making gear. The 1" width is 0.038-0.050" thick and its breaking strength is 1200lbs, while the same webbing in 2" thickness has 2200lbs breaking strength. The most common colors are black, olive, foliage green, coyote tan, coyote brown, Multicam and A-TACS. There is a very important thing about coloring process. There are four kind of methods to dye webbing. Solid colors used Vat dyed or Solution dyed process. Here is the huge difference. Most fabrics and webbing are made and then dyed to a color; called Vat Dyed. Solution Dyed webbing has the dye mixed with the plastic polymer and so the color is present throughout the webbing, not just on the outside. Think of the difference between a radish and a carrot; the radish is red on the outside only, while the carrot is orange all the way through. The benefit is better color consistency in manufacturing, lower reflectivity especially in the IR spectrum, no color change with abrasion, and better resistance to sunlight fading. The fact is the same with camo webbings. The cheaper version is the printed one. This process left camo patterns only on the surface of webbing. Meanwhile the woven one contains the pattern all the way through the webbing. In this case, the result is equal with Solution Dyed process, used for solid colors.
Mil-Spec code: A-A-55301 Type III
Mil-Spec code: Mil-W-17337
TUBULAR WEBBING
As its name stands for, it is a webbing, but instead of flat structure it's a tubular one. Commonly used for parachute constructions. It is also a good choice for special harnesses or for any kind of grab handles due its high tension strength, which is 4000lbs (1" wide webbing). Mostly available in solid colors only, like olive drab, foliage green (called sage in parachute and airforce circles), coyote tan and coyote brown.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-W-5625
Mil-Spec code: Mil-W-17337
TUBULAR WEBBING
As its name stands for, it is a webbing, but instead of flat structure it's a tubular one. Commonly used for parachute constructions. It is also a good choice for special harnesses or for any kind of grab handles due its high tension strength, which is 4000lbs (1" wide webbing). Mostly available in solid colors only, like olive drab, foliage green (called sage in parachute and airforce circles), coyote tan and coyote brown.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-W-5625
BINDING
Binding tape is basically a thin webbing with a fine, horizontal, heringbone structure. It is used to finish raw edges of fabric and seams. In most cases, raw edges of fabric should not be exposed, whehter you hot knife it or not, as that leads to frayed edges and ultimately seam failures. Edges and seams with binding tape stay protected and look good. However, soldiers who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have complaint about binding tape, that it causes more injuries in an IED blast by melting easier than other nylon components of a gear. Therefore I use different patterns and folding techniques for my military series to minimize the quantity of binding tape. I work with 1" wide binding, which is the most common size and comes in black, foliage green, coyote brown, coyote tan and Multicam at the moment. Additional colors coming soon.
Binding tape is basically a thin webbing with a fine, horizontal, heringbone structure. It is used to finish raw edges of fabric and seams. In most cases, raw edges of fabric should not be exposed, whehter you hot knife it or not, as that leads to frayed edges and ultimately seam failures. Edges and seams with binding tape stay protected and look good. However, soldiers who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have complaint about binding tape, that it causes more injuries in an IED blast by melting easier than other nylon components of a gear. Therefore I use different patterns and folding techniques for my military series to minimize the quantity of binding tape. I work with 1" wide binding, which is the most common size and comes in black, foliage green, coyote brown, coyote tan and Multicam at the moment. Additional colors coming soon.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-T-5038 TYPE III
ELASTIC
Elastic webbing strap is a great thing to organize and hold small stuff securely all around your gear. Wether it is in the interior of a bacpack, battle uniform, pouch, vehicle or the outer surface of your rucksack and pouches. There are three different widths which are preferably used in gear making. These are the following: 1", 1.5" and 2". Available colors: black, olive drab, foliage green, coyote brown, coyote tan, Multicam and A-TACS AU.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-W-5664
PARACORD
The well known cord 550 being TYPE III, good for a general pupose tie-down cord. Also works great for pull-ties, cinches with cord locks and more on gear. Intended use declares: for use as personal parachute suspension lines and is also used with various equipage items. The big difference between commercial 550 paracord (in which the number refers to the breaking strength of cord) and Mil-C-5040 cord is that Type III cord for military use must have between 7-9 core strands and they must be 3-ply each (strand of commercial paracords have only 2-ply). The Mil-Spec documentation also says the cord MUST have one or more unique colored threads in one of the cores to identify the manufacturer. Commercial paracords with 7 strands has a breaking strength of 550lbs and with 8 cores this result is 650lbs. Meanwhile the true Mil-C-5040 paracords have a breaking strength of up to 750lbs (depends on the number of strands in core). On the reference picture below, the only Mil-Spec paracord is in the middle. Available colors are black, olive drab, foliage green, coyote tan and coyote brown.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-C-5040
SHOCKCORD
Shock cord is used for a variety of purposes ranging from quickly tying down a load to allowing for minimal load movement during transit, also often used to provide additional security for items (e.g. gun mags) without the need of knots. Meanwhile it can absorp shock. This means a more flexible fastening method and less force transfered to gears. It comes in several sizes: 3/16, 3/32 and 1/8" diameter. The colors are the following: black, olive drab, foliage green and coyote brown.
Mil-Spec code: MIL-C-5651
HOOK&LOOP
Widely known as Velcro, after the company produces the first commercially marketed hook-and-loop fastener. Velcro fasteners consist of two components: polyester hook and Teflon loop stripe. These materials last longer than cotton hook&loops. Unfortunately Velcro fasteners tend to accumulate hair, dust, fur and fluff. Which decreases its effectiveness. Furthermore it wears out over time. The other disadvantage of hook&loop fastener is the tearing noise made by unfastening Velcro, which makes it inappropriate for some applications (to snipers, special force members when hiding is essential). Besides these facts Velcro is a very handy fastening solution to add or remove things quickly in your loadout. Optional colors: black, foliage green, coyote tan, Multicam and A-TACS. I apply only YKK Velcro fasteners.
Mil-Spec code: A-A-55126B
Widely known as Velcro, after the company produces the first commercially marketed hook-and-loop fastener. Velcro fasteners consist of two components: polyester hook and Teflon loop stripe. These materials last longer than cotton hook&loops. Unfortunately Velcro fasteners tend to accumulate hair, dust, fur and fluff. Which decreases its effectiveness. Furthermore it wears out over time. The other disadvantage of hook&loop fastener is the tearing noise made by unfastening Velcro, which makes it inappropriate for some applications (to snipers, special force members when hiding is essential). Besides these facts Velcro is a very handy fastening solution to add or remove things quickly in your loadout. Optional colors: black, foliage green, coyote tan, Multicam and A-TACS. I apply only YKK Velcro fasteners.
Mil-Spec code: A-A-55126B
FASTENER AND GROMMET
There are so many applications when you can't use plastic hardwares, zippers or Velcros or they are just simply not optimal. In that case a reliable fastener or grommet is a must. I use only two brands for such a works. Both have a well established reputation on this field. Both of them are german and their history go back till the WWII. One of them is Stocko, which belongs to YKK Group now. This factory produces the world famous Bundeswehr snap fasteners, see picture below. This unique fastener has a coated finish. Therefore it stands against harsh environment and hard use better than other factories' products. Plus it gives to the gear a more professional look. This coating is IRR compliant. It means you won't stick out of your surroundings on the battlefield even in IR spectrum. Prym is also a german brand makes premium quality products. They won't fell even after thousands of opening and closing. I apply only black fasteners from this company to reduce reflection. For special request I can paint fasteners with DuraCoat® Firearm Finishes which give fasteners and grommets a color-matched finish to other components of your gear and thus a neater final look.
There are so many applications when you can't use plastic hardwares, zippers or Velcros or they are just simply not optimal. In that case a reliable fastener or grommet is a must. I use only two brands for such a works. Both have a well established reputation on this field. Both of them are german and their history go back till the WWII. One of them is Stocko, which belongs to YKK Group now. This factory produces the world famous Bundeswehr snap fasteners, see picture below. This unique fastener has a coated finish. Therefore it stands against harsh environment and hard use better than other factories' products. Plus it gives to the gear a more professional look. This coating is IRR compliant. It means you won't stick out of your surroundings on the battlefield even in IR spectrum. Prym is also a german brand makes premium quality products. They won't fell even after thousands of opening and closing. I apply only black fasteners from this company to reduce reflection. For special request I can paint fasteners with DuraCoat® Firearm Finishes which give fasteners and grommets a color-matched finish to other components of your gear and thus a neater final look.
YKK Stocko snap fastener
PRYM hat grommet
HARDWARE
I mainly work with ITW Nexus or ITW Military products. ITW can cover everything you need to built a great gear whether it is a D-Ring, triglide or a 2" quick release buckle. These plastic hardwares are very durable, yet lightweigth thanks for the special acetal resin what they made of. Therefore they don't rust. There is another extra feature of plastic hardwares: the dye mixed with the plastic resin and so the color is present throughout the whole material, not just on the outside, like it is on coated metal hardwares. I use ITW Nexus products for outdoor and tactical series and ITW Military GhillieTex product line for military series. However, sometimes you need some stronger stuff, than plastic. In that case, AustriAlpin is the only company what I trust. The most famous product of this company is their Cobra buckle.
Plastic hardwares come in following colors: black, olive drab, foliage green, coyote tan, coyote brown. AustriAlpin metal hardwares are available in black, desert sand (similar to coyote tan, but not the same), coyote brown and foliage green.
I mainly work with ITW Nexus or ITW Military products. ITW can cover everything you need to built a great gear whether it is a D-Ring, triglide or a 2" quick release buckle. These plastic hardwares are very durable, yet lightweigth thanks for the special acetal resin what they made of. Therefore they don't rust. There is another extra feature of plastic hardwares: the dye mixed with the plastic resin and so the color is present throughout the whole material, not just on the outside, like it is on coated metal hardwares. I use ITW Nexus products for outdoor and tactical series and ITW Military GhillieTex product line for military series. However, sometimes you need some stronger stuff, than plastic. In that case, AustriAlpin is the only company what I trust. The most famous product of this company is their Cobra buckle.
Plastic hardwares come in following colors: black, olive drab, foliage green, coyote tan, coyote brown. AustriAlpin metal hardwares are available in black, desert sand (similar to coyote tan, but not the same), coyote brown and foliage green.
AustriAlpin metal hardwares
ITW Military plastic hardwares
ZIPPER
There are two types of zippers commonly used making tactical gear. The more popular is the coil zipper. This can handle bends, edges and curves better due its softer structure. The slider runs on two coils on each side; the teeth are formed by the windings of the coils which are in spiral form, usually with a cord running inside the coils. Coil zippers are made of polyester coil. The only disadvantage of coil zippers is that does not handle direct sunlight as well as Vislon due to they made of polyester. The other type of zipper is Vislon. Vislon zipper is a molded plastic teeth zipper, made of polyacetal resin. A good feature of Vislon is that it's ligther than the same size of metal zipper and stronger than coil zipper. It stands UV better than coil zipper, but it doesn't bend well lateral directions (left or right from the center of the zip) due to its larger teeth. I work only with YKK zippers, because this is a well-known japanese company with an excellent reputation. Available colors are black, olive drab, foliage green, coyote tan and coyote brown.
There are two types of zippers commonly used making tactical gear. The more popular is the coil zipper. This can handle bends, edges and curves better due its softer structure. The slider runs on two coils on each side; the teeth are formed by the windings of the coils which are in spiral form, usually with a cord running inside the coils. Coil zippers are made of polyester coil. The only disadvantage of coil zippers is that does not handle direct sunlight as well as Vislon due to they made of polyester. The other type of zipper is Vislon. Vislon zipper is a molded plastic teeth zipper, made of polyacetal resin. A good feature of Vislon is that it's ligther than the same size of metal zipper and stronger than coil zipper. It stands UV better than coil zipper, but it doesn't bend well lateral directions (left or right from the center of the zip) due to its larger teeth. I work only with YKK zippers, because this is a well-known japanese company with an excellent reputation. Available colors are black, olive drab, foliage green, coyote tan and coyote brown.
Coil zipper
Vislon zipper
THREAD
This is one of the key thing in tactical gear making, because this material keeps other components together. I use only Mil-Spec bonded threads, whether is nylon or polyester. Both of them have a good water resistant feature but polyester threads handle UV rays better in the long run than nylon ones. I have black, coyote tan, coyote brown, foliage green and olive drab threads in size V69 (Tex size: T-70, US Govt: E). I'm planning to broaden my range with V92 (Tex size: T-90, US Govt: F) and V138 (Tex size: T-120, US Govt: FF) as well. Main brands I use: A&E, Coats, Eddington
Chemical properties of CF Polyester
• Melting point 250-260˚C (480-500˚F)
This is one of the key thing in tactical gear making, because this material keeps other components together. I use only Mil-Spec bonded threads, whether is nylon or polyester. Both of them have a good water resistant feature but polyester threads handle UV rays better in the long run than nylon ones. I have black, coyote tan, coyote brown, foliage green and olive drab threads in size V69 (Tex size: T-70, US Govt: E). I'm planning to broaden my range with V92 (Tex size: T-90, US Govt: F) and V138 (Tex size: T-120, US Govt: FF) as well. Main brands I use: A&E, Coats, Eddington
Chemical properties of CF Polyester
• Melting point 250-260˚C (480-500˚F)
• Low moisture regain 0.4% (drip dry)
• Excellent resistance to visible sunlight and UV rays
• Unaffected by mildew, rot and marine water
• Good resistance to acids and cold alkalis
• Excellent bleach resistance (chlorine, peroxide, etc.)
• Excellent resistance to visible sunlight and UV rays
• Unaffected by mildew, rot and marine water
• Good resistance to acids and cold alkalis
• Excellent bleach resistance (chlorine, peroxide, etc.)
