1.5oz 76% Nylon / 24% Polyester....where from?

[C_Claycomb]

Does anyone have any suggestions where were I might find a source for 1.5oz 76/24 nylon/polyester? Something suitable for making a tropical type expedition shirt?

My buddy guides jungle expeditions from Brunei and on hearing my excitement over recent acquisitions from Ripstop By The Roll and Dutch's new Make Your Gear, asked me where I would go for mostly nylon shirt fabric. I didn't think it would be all that hard, compared to finding places for high-tech tarp and quilt materials. I was wrong! Looked at a lot of sites now starting in the UK and RbtR and MYG, then Extremtextil, and then expanding to other US sites. Nothing that seems even remotely suitable, much less in that weight and blend.

Anyone got any suggestions? I am down to blind Google searching now

Thanks!!

Chris

[Just Bill]

Rockywoods
SeatleFabrics
QuestOutfitters

I'd try those... I'm not much for making clothing so can't help much more than that... but I know all of them carry fabrics for uses other than gear that may work.

[C_Claycomb]

Keep em coming

Quest, do Supplex nylon, but only in 4oz weight.

Seatle do Supplex in good colors, but no weight quoted. Also uncoated ripstop in 1.9oz, but its the stuff for sleeping bags or stuff sacks, not really for clothes.

Rockywoods has the closest, but nothing in the 1.5oz weight or nylon/poly blend, but they do carry fabrics that might be suitable for purpose:

• SunG™ Sun Protective Supplex Nylon Fabric - Abbey Stone - 3.5oz
• SunScreen50™ Lightweight Nylon Woven Wicking Fabric - 3.38oz best color selection
• SunScreen50™ Lightweight Woven Nylon Fabric (DWR) - 3.38oz three good colors.

They also have a number of slightly heavier Supplex fabrics that would probably make good pants.


Seems like both the very light weight and the blend are a bit special. If anyone can suggest any other places it would be great, even if it is just proving that the stuff isn't available and a compromise is needed.

Thanks!

Chris

[Just Bill]

That original spec does sound very odd... where did you get it?

This is one of the lightest shirts I know of and it's "2.25-oz 52% nylon/48% polyester with mechanical stretch and 30-UPF sun protection"
http://www.patagonia.com/product/men...ection&start=1

I don't think you'll find much below that... but again, this is why I buy clothing, lol.

To give you an idea- the lightest (or one of) that is acceptable to wear is the Houdini- "1.2-oz 15-denier 100% nylon ripstop with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish"
http://www.patagonia.com/product/men...ket/24141.html

[C_Claycomb]

The 1.5oz is what is described on Rail Riders' site. Used for their shirts.

https://www.railriders.com/men-adven...?cPath=104_111
https://www.railriders.com/men-versa...?cPath=104_111

"Fabric: Our 1.5 ounce featherweight blend of 76% nylon/24% polyester.
UV Protection: Carries a sun protection rating of UPF 30+."

My friend has a rather exacting idea of what he wants/needs. He has used a number of polyester based shirts and doesn't find the fabric works as well. The light fabric is cooler, packs lighter, and dries faster. While the shirts get killed off fairly fast in the jungle, he always has one in his pack when he travels so that he can look presentable. He's used the smart look to good advantage when he has been stuck in airports or having to deal with officials.

[Just Bill]

Ahh... lol.

No idea where to get that- though I know railriders are favorites of many a LD hiker.
You might try Backpacking Light to see if someone there knows... especially for a European source.

[Billy Goat]

Good lord. No wonder he wants some custom made shirts. There are only two colors that are even remotely wearable in that lineup! Unless you are maybe wearing loafers or dock shoes without socks....

Cheers,
the Goat