One of the most important factors when choosing a bag, whether it's a travel bag, everyday use bag, business bag or anything else - is its material. For many, it may be secondary to size and/or format, but it's still one of the first things to look for when choosing one. There are many reasons, from its looks to its durability and even its weather resistance.
While there are many general-purpose fabrics on the market, one of the most popular—especially in the everyday carry and outdoor space—is actually a branded fabric. Cordura, a sturdy woven nylon, has soared in popularity over the past few years to the point that people actually look for it by name when shopping.
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Back in 1929, the company that would become DuPont created a rayon material called Cordura. However, as time passed and more materials were developed, it became clear that nylon had more potential than rayon. So in 1966, the company rebranded a nylon as Cordura, almost completely abandoning work on rayon. Over time, it was refined further—becoming more durable, capable of being dyed in almost any color or pattern imaginable, and eventually mass-produced similar to basic canvas fabrics.
Today, nylon-based Cordura is widely used. It's everywhere, from clothing to footwear, motorcycle gear, everyday carry gear, and - most commonly, and perhaps most importantly - bags. There are also many types of Cordura in the world. Often, the difference can be found in "denier" - a measure of the thickness or density of a fiber. Generally, the higher the number, the stronger the Cordura. However, there are other factors that also affect the durability and resistance of a fabric.
Because Cordura is a nylon-based canvas fabric, it can be combined with other technologies to make it stronger, more weather-resistant, and even change its appearance. Typically, Cordura is paired with a GORE-TEX membrane to make it more waterproof than ever—for reference, nylon (especially high-denier varieties) is naturally waterproof. Likewise, Cordura can be coated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which also increases its water resistance. It can even be coated in polyurethane to make it completely waterproof (as seen in diving bags), as well as puncture and cut proof.
To be clear: Cordura is not armor. However, it can be more durable and weatherproof than fabrics of similar weight and feel. That being said, Cordura does have an advantage over other tougher materials in that it is relatively light. Widely available, it is an easy-to-use building material for companies; it is very versatile. That's probably why it's so popular.
