Nylon Waterproof Breathable Fabric — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Nylon Waterproof Breathable Fabric: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Nylon Waterproof Breathable Fabric is the version buyers specify when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
Nylon gives waterproof breathable fabric its drape and hand feel. In practice that means the fabric behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: shrinkage allowance has to be built into the spec. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.
Typical specification
| Item | Waterproof Breathable Fabric |
|---|---|
| Base material | Nylon |
| Standard size | 180 gsm |
| Common finishes | Laser Engraved Finish, Black Nickel Finish, Antique Copper Finish |
| Processes | Moisture Wicking Finishing, Embossing, Sublimation Printing |
| Typical applications | Backpacks, Sleepwear, Shirts, Uniforms |
| Test standard | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
| Usual packing | 500 pieces per polybag, 2000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 3% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — cycle life after 10 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — OEKO-TEX Standard 100 documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Kidswear
- Gloves
- Blazers
- Footwear
- Trousers
- Jackets
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover stud trim, leather patch, jersey knit fabric, flannel fabric, and the processes most often paired with waterproof breathable fabric include sanforising, heat setting, laser cutting.
Send the reference sample or tech pack and we will come back with a costed specification, a sampling timetable and the compliance documents your market requires.
