Ballistic vs. Cordura

[StevenBooyzen 0]

Well the topic basicly say it all.
Im odering a new ICON container and there's a choice of material for the container. I've spoke to the manufacturer so what i know is what he told me; more wear resistant and ideally for student or swoop rigs. Im by far not yet in the swooping category and also not in the student category, im jumping a 120 main.
What i want to know is there any other real advantage on the ballistic or should i stick to what i know, cordura. Does the ballistic have any effect on closing the main container, meaning does it close more difficult coz the ballistic perhaps doesnt have as much stretch as cordura ? Any input would be much appreciated so i can make my decision and order my new container.

[riggerrob 643]

Both Cordura and ballistic cloth are more abrasion-tolerant than the original (400 denier) para-pack.

Cordura was originally developed for the hiking/ luggage industry to provide a thicker, more abrasion-tolerant fabric. 500 denier Cordura is popular for sport containers, while 1000 denier Cordura is used to make high-wear containers for students, tandem and pilot emergency parachutes.
Cordura is made of blown nylon filaments that are spun back into yarn. Which means that you can destroy part of a Cordura thread without losing significant tensile strength. Since Cordura's surface is already slightly roughened, shallow scrapes (fine sandpaper) are less obvious.

OTOH ballistic nylon was originally developed to stop shrapnel and small bullets. It was originally used to make flack vests for aircrew. Genuine MIL SPEC ballistic cloth is much thicker than 1000 denier and genuine flack vests have multiple layers of ballistic cloth to slow down hot, sharp scraps of metal that are rapidly approaching. Flack vests are as thick as puffy, down-filled vests but much heavier. Decades ago, the military replaced nylon flack vests with Kevlar or Spectra vests than can actually stop rifle bullets.
Ballistic cloth can be distinguished by its coarser weave, that looks more like a basket weave. True ballistic cloth is only used in sport parachute pin covers and high-wear parts of parachute containers.
Sadly most of what the luggage industry currently sells as "ballistic cloth" would not stop a slow-moving BB. The only connection with MIL SPEC ballistic cloth is the coarse weave. Hard-core canopy pilots like to protect their leg straps with sacrificial sleeves made of ballistic cloth.


In conclusion, ballistic cloth is more durable than Cordura, but if you are dragging your gear that often, your medical bills will soon exceed your rigging bills.

[StevenBooyzen 0]

Thanx riggerrob, your conclusion at the end gave me the answer on what to choose.........., cordura. I dont need something thats more durable than cordura which already is durable enough. Just thought that the ballistic would give a different look which it probably will coz of the coarser weave pattern, and i might just not like the look where i know what to expect to get on choosing cordura. There's no price difference between the cordura and the ballistic container so the cost is of no influence.

[pchapman 279]

I know an Icon dealer who gets the ballistic material for his own rigs, and other jumpers who have done the same. I guess they figure it will be tougher and longer lasting, so why not get it, especially when it isn't a $200 added option like a lot of new cool stuff. The material is shinier and smoother. That being said, it is stiffer so I wouldn't try to overstuff the main container.

But I don't have a lot of experience with such rigs -- others actually owning one will have more informed opinions.

[igottademo9 0]

I have an Icon with the ballistic material. The only benefit I have noticed is the ease of cleaning. You can use a simple damp cloth and wipe everything clean. Dirt and grim does not seem to absorb into the material. With the Cordura rigs, it would take a bit more to get the dirt/grim out of the material due to absorption. Besides that I see no difference. When I do order another rig it will be in ballistic also for simply the ease of cleaning.