Discover why Cordura 500D reigns supreme in skydiving for decades

When you are freefalling from 13,000 feet or carving through the air in a wind tunnel, your apparel is your first line of defense and your ultimate expression of style. In the high-speed world of skydiving and indoor bodyflight, your suit needs to act like a second skin—one that won't rip under extreme pressure but is flexible enough to let you fly without restriction.

That is exactly why we rely on Nylon 500D Cordura for our custom-made flying apparel. Let's dive into what makes this fabric an absolute powerhouse for skydivers and tunnel flyers alike.

Unmatched Performance: Durability Meets Flexibility

In our sport, gear takes a beating. Whether you are scraping against the net of a wind tunnel or sliding out a fast landing on the dropzone, your suit needs to survive. 500D Cordura provides an exceptional weight-to-strength ratio, meaning you get incredible toughness without feeling weighed down.

Here is what that performance looks like by the numbers:

• Extreme Abrasion Resistance: The tightly woven 100% Nylon 6 or 6,6 fibers can withstand over 100,000 cycles in standard abrasion testing, meaning it won't easily scuff or wear out when brushing against tunnel walls.
• High Tensile and Tear Strength: With a warp tensile strength of up to 2400 Newtons and a tear strength that refuses to give out under pressure, this fabric is built to handle the intense aerodynamic stress of freefall.
• Lightweight Comfort: Weighing in at just 200–260 grams per square meter, 500D Cordura is much lighter and more flexible than heavier 1000D nylon. It contours perfectly to your body, reducing fatigue and allowing for the maximum mobility required in complex flying positions.

Built for Customization: The Perfect Canvas for Embroidery

We know that skydivers and tunnel flyers love to stand out, which is why we offer a wide range of customizations. This is where 500D Cordura truly shines.

Because the 500D yarn is finer, lighter, and less stiff than traditional heavy-duty fabrics, it is incredibly accommodating to the sewing process. This makes it the absolute perfect canvas for heavy embroidery—a must-have for our custom suits. Whether you are adding a team logo, national flags, or intricate personal designs, the fabric handles needlework beautifully without buckling or losing its structural integrity. Using specialized needles, like a 110/18 or 100/16, allows us to layer this fabric with edge binding, zippers, and dense embroidery stitching flawlessly. It drapes beautifully, allowing us to build complex, ergonomic shapes tailored specifically to your body.

Fun Fact: Laser-Sealed Edges and Eco-Friendly Colors!

Did you know that to get those incredibly precise cuts for your custom suit, high-tenacity nylon like 500D Cordura is often cut using a CO2 laser? The laser doesn't just cut the fabric; it instantly melts and seals the edges, making it completely fray-resistant and keeping your suit pristine jump after jump.

Furthermore, if your suit uses Solution-Dyed Nylon (SDN) Cordura, it is actually saving the planet! The SDN manufacturing process eliminates the need for traditional water-heavy piece dyeing, saving up to 1.87 liters of water and reducing CO2 emissions by 0.11 kg for every single meter of fabric produced. You can fly high knowing your suit is eco-conscious.