Denier are a measurement of the thickness of the individual thread in a fabric. Additionally, denier is a measurement of how heavy or durablity a fabric will be. If a fabric has a low denier, it will be thin and lightweight.
However, it will be more likely to tear if it comes into contact with an sharp object. With fabrics with a high denier, the fabric will be thick and durable. However, it will be much heavier when pick up and worn.
How Denier Affects Fabric Weight and Strength
The higher the denier of the fabric, the more thicker and heavier the threads will be in that fabric. Denier allow individuals to make a choice between the weight of the fabric versus its durability. These two characteristic cannot be had at the same time with any given fabric.
The types of gear that is used require different denier levels for that gear. For example, gear with a very low denier is used for stuff sacks or sleeping bag shell. Using a high denier fabric for these items would add to the overall weight of the sleeping bag shell without adding to the benefit of the sleeping bag.
Medium denier is used for rain jackets and backpacks. These fabrics are thick enough to allow gear to be scuffed against rocks, but not as heavy as heavy-duty fabrics. Another type of weave that are used in many fabrics is the ripstop weave.
This fabric is engineered with a grid of thicker threads that prevent the tear in the fabric from continuing. This increase the strength of the fabric without adding to its weight. Heavy duty fabrics like ballistic nylon are used for tactical gear.
People use these high denier fabrics because they must be able to take the weight of gear being drag on the concrete or shoved into a vehicle. These high denier fabrics will be very strong. However, the weight of the gear will be much higher with these high denier fabrics.
The type of material used in a fabric can also impact the performance of that fabric. For example, nylon is a material that is known for being strong yet lightweight. However, nylon will stretch when it becomes wet.
Polyester is another material that can be used for gear and it is less expensive than nylon. However, polyester also resist damage from the sun better then nylon does. The type of coating that is used on a fabric can change the function of that fabric.
For example, silicone will make a fabric waterproof and slippery. Polyurethane is another coating that can be used that allows the person to tape the seam of a tent to ensure that it does not become wet. Lastly, DWR will cause water to bead on the surface of a fabric yet it isnt a permanent shield against water.
A smart designer will use different denier level on different gear. For example, a designer can use a high denier fabric on the bottom of a backpack that comes into contact with the ground yet the rest of the pack will use a low denier fabric to reduce the weight of the backpack. The type of gear that a person will be using will dictate the denier of the fabric that is used in that gear.
For instance, if a person will remain on the trails, the gear will have a low denier fabric. If a person enters the backcountry, gear will have a higher denier fabric.
