Qualities To Consider When Choosing Fabric For Backpacks

Introduction

Fabric is the most important component of a backpack. It is not just the material that you choose, but also the length and width of the fabric that determines how good a backpack will be. A backpack is the most used item to carry around your stuff. It is a very important and useful thing.

A backpack is a type of bag with a single large main compartment and two straps that go over the shoulders or around the waist. While there are many kinds of backpacks, the most common are made from fabrics such as nylon or canvas.

Choosing the right type of fabric can be a challenge but with a little knowledge you can find the best and most suitable type of fabric for your backpack.

The first thing to know is that there are different types of materials used for making backpacks. The most common materials used to make backpacks include nylon, polyester, nylon urethane, and Cordura nylon. Due to their varying properties, some of these materials are more suitable for certain types of backpacks. For instance, nylon or a polyester backpack might not be ideal for hiking as they may not be as durable as traditional fabrics such as Cordura.

When choosing a backpack always keep in mind the type of activity you will be engaged in. If you are looking for a backpack for hiking then it is advisable to keep in mind that the backpack is durable and can withstand the elements during hiking.

While selecting a fabric make sure that you choose a strong one that can last through repeated use. There are lots of branded fabrics out there named by the manufacturer of those fabrics but the most popular and basic materials from which these branded fabrics are made are nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and canvas. These four fabrics are the materials from which modern backpacks are made. However, the choice of use depends on the purpose for which the backpacks are intended to serve as they vary in their respective qualities.

If you are looking to buy a backpack online then the best thing is to read customer reviews first to see if that particular backpack is of good quality or not. Customer reviews will help you understand what previous buyers had to say about the product and also how long they have been using it before writing a review. You can also ask friends or family if they have bought any backpack before so as to get their opinion on which one you should go for.

Qualities to Consider When Choosing Fabric for a Backpack.

Durability

People always have this notion of buying a good and high quality backpack, a product that can last them throughout the entire usage of the bag. It is therefore important to put durability into consideration while choosing a fabric, the fabric of choice should therefore have the ability to resist wear and tear when subjected to pressure and load during usage and it should be able to serve its purpose without putting its contents at the risk of getting lost or damaged.

A typical example of fabric materials that possess this quality are nylon, polyester, and canvas. These materials are strong, wear-resistant, and have the ability to resist abrasion.

Impermeability

Backpacks are used in various regions of the world for various reasons, there are regions with high humidity, and as well the ones with low humidity, high humidity regions may expose the backpacks to excessive atmospheric moisture content and this might lead to spoilage of some fabric materials. It is therefore important that Impermeability is put into consideration, the fabrics must have the ability to resist water penetration. This factor is of vital importance as this will prevent water from penetrating the backpack and safeguard the contents from various liquids and water that might come in contact with the bag. Water repellant also ensures the prevention of mold and thereby prevents possible damage to the backpack material and its contents. In addition, the water-repellant activity of the fabric material of choice serves as a boost during a heavy downpour of rain or snow.

Polypropylene is highly waterproof and this material is best suitable for backpacks when it comes to impermeability. However, other materials can also be used provided that they are coated with water-resistant substances, for example; PUL (polyurethane laminate), TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), waxed cotton, Ripstop nylon fabric are various examples of coated polyesters, canvas and nylon respectively.

Thickness

The ruggedness of a backpack is highly dependent on the quality of the fabric materials used and in manufacturing a high-quality backpack, the thickness of the material is indispensable. A thick fabric material will be highly resistant to stress and wear and tear therefore ensuring prolonged usage. The thickness also determines the quantity the backpack can hold as it determines the strength of the bag. However, the thickness should not interfere with its flexibility, as a good and high-quality fabric material should be thick and flexible.

When it comes to thickness, canvas materials are the most essential fabric, they are made from densely interwoven cotton and are quite heavy. They are majorly used for backpacks when weight is not considered a key factor.

Heat retaining capacity

Backpacks are used under different conditions for different reasons, a good quality backpacks should therefore be made of fabrics that have high heat-retaining capacity. Heat is a physical entity that can cause damage by desiccating the fabric materials which in turn leads to fading of color and tear of the fabric. The fabric material to be used should therefore be able to resist the thermal effect and should be able to thrive in hot regions.

Nylon has the ability to resist a high temperature to a particular degree, however, it is advisable to go for branded fibers that are created for this purpose for example; fabrics made from silica.

Breathability

Comfortability is a key when choosing the choice of fabric for a backpack, while a backpack is meant to be positioned in the back, it is, therefore, important that a breathable fabric is chosen, this will allow perspiration generated as a result of heat to evaporate during the cause of usage, especially in a high weather condition. This will enhance the owner's comfortability and ensure excellent compliance for further usage.

Nylon, cotton, and polyester are fabric materials of choice when it comes to breathability, they have a pore size that is wide enough for the evacuation of perspiration, one of the branded nylon materials used for this purpose is Ripstop nylon fabric.

Lightness

One of the main purposes of using a backpack is to ensure comfortability and make carriage easy. It is therefore important that the fabric of choice for a backpack should be light and easy to carry. The contents of a backpack might be a burden to bear, choosing lightweight fabric materials is, therefore, an advantage and it is very important so as to avoid unnecessary bulky carriage and to ensure the acceptability of the particular products.

The best material suitable for this purpose is Ripstop nylon fabric, apart from the lightweight, they are cheap and highly affordable. However, there are other materials suitable for this purpose for example DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric), this particular material is lighter than Ripstop nylon fabric but the downside is that it is more expensive.

In conclusion

In the past, the material used to make backpacks were mostly canvas or leather. But now, there are so many different materials used to manufacture backpacks which include nylon and polyester. Summing it up, when you want to get the most out of your backpack, then there are several factors that you should keep in mind. As much as possible, it is always good to find the highest quality fabric material available in the market for your backpack or even for other types of bags that you use. Aside from being cost-effective, this will make sure that you have quality bags that last long and also look great even after many years have passed by.