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ULTRA Fabrics™
The Challenge ULTRA™ line of fabrics is composed of the highest performing UHMWPE composite fabrics in the world.
In a class of its own, ULTRA™ represents a new paradigm in durability and weight. ULTRA™ weave is constructed with an optimal blend of UHMWPE & high-tenacity polyester. The tight weave is laminated with an eco-friendly adhesive to our revolutionary Challenge RUV™ film. The result is a textile that is incredible strong, lightweight, and waterproof to 20 000mm. ULTRA™ performs in the harshest environments, in both sub-zero and tropical climates.
ULTRA 200 X™
This is our best selling pack fabric. And for a good reason as it probably is the most advanced pack fabric on the market today. It features woven face made up of 66% 200D UHMWPE fibers and 34% recycled polyester. At a slight weight increase compared to DCF2.92, the Ultra 200 fabric has 3x higher tear strength, 3x higher UHMWPE fibers content, 7x the abrasion resistance. The backing of the fabric is a .75mil recycled polyester film, that makes the fabric extremely waterproof. The backing is reinforced with Ultra CrossPly for enhanced dimensional stability and durability.
| Water Column | 20 000mm |
| Abrasion resistance | 4 400 cycles |
| Tear strenth (warp/weft) | 103/133 lb |
| Weight | 130g/m2 (3.85 oz/yd2) |
ULTRA 400 X™
This is the fabric we use to reinforce abrasion-prone areas like the bottom section of our backpacks as it has roughly twice the abrasion resistance of ULTRA 200x. It features a woven face made up of 66% 400D UHMWPE fibers and 34% recycled polyester. At a slight weight increase compared to DCF5.0, the Ultra 400 fabric has 2x higher tear strength and 4x higher UHMWPE fibers content by weight. The backing of the fabric is a .75mil recycled polyester film, that makes the fabric extremely waterproof. The backing is reinforced with Ultra CrossPly for enhanced dimensional stability and durability.
| Water Column | 20 000mm |
| Abrasion resistance | 8 800 cycles |
| Tear strenth (warp/weft) | 115/118 lb |
| Weight | 168g/m2 (4.95 oz/yd2) |
UltraGrid™
UltraGrid™ is woven with 210d recycled nylon yarn from pre-consumer industrial waste. A double 5mm 200d Ultra™ grid ripstop provides exceptional tear-strength and visual impact. UltraGrid™ is coated with C0 DWR that does not contain fluorocarbons, otherwise known as PFCs. The fabric is finished with a waterproof 1500mm PU backing. Bluesign® Approved.
| Water Column | 1 500mm |
| Abrasion resistance | 1 100 cycles |
| Weight | 146g/m2 (4.3 oz/yd2) |
UltraStretch™
UltraStretch™ is a 4-way stretch mesh woven with the highest quality fibers for performance and longevity.Woven blend of Nylon 6-6, Lycra®, and Ultra-PE. Coated with C6 DWR. UltraStretch™ has a little more tear resistance thanks to its ripstop grid in Ultra fibers and is lighter than our standard stretch mesh, though it stretches less than our standard stretch mesh fabric so pocket capacity is reduced.
Weight 186g/m2 (5.5 oz/yd2)
Dyneema Composite Fabrics
Dyneema® Composite Fabrics (previously also known as DCF or cuben fiber) is simply the most technologically advanced performance fabric for the outdoor industry available on the market today.
It is a family of high-end fabrics originally developed for the sailing industry. It is made up of crossing super-strong Dyneema® fibers (up to x15 times stronger than steel) laminated between two layers of Mylar. This construction gives these fabrics many advantages:
– It is extremely waterproof
– It has very high UV and chemical resistance
– The fabric does not stretch when wet
– It does not absorb water
NOTE!: In May 2025, Dyneema® (Avient Corporation) introduced a new naming standard for its composite fabric portfolio. This material list reflects the updated naming system. For an overview of the previous names and their corresponding changes, please visit our dedicated page with full details.
Dyneema® Composite Fabric 0.55 (CT1E.08)
Update: since 2023, we have phased out this fabric, due to its reduced longevity compared to our standard option (0.75 Dyneema® Composite Fabric).
It has enough Dyneema fiber content to give it very high tensile strength, while still keeping the weight exptionally down. This version of Dyneema® Composite Fabric weighs around half the typical lightweight silnylon available today.
| Water Column | 15 000mm |
| Puncture resistance | 1.8 lb |
| Maximum tensile strength | 63 lb/in |
| Tear strength (warp/weft) | 14 lb |
| Weight | 0.55 oz/y² (19 gsm) |
Dyneema® Composite Fabric 0.75 (CT2E.08)
This is our standard suggested Dyneema® Composite Fabric fabric weight for tents, as for a marginal weight increased compared to 0.55 Dyneema® Composite Fabric , it has roughly double the longevity.
It has enough Dyneema® fiber content to give it very high tensile strength, while still keeping the weight exptionally down. This version of Dyneema® Composite Fabric weighs around half the typical lightweight silnylon available today.
| Water Column | 20 000mm |
| Puncture resistance | 3.1 lb |
| Maximum Tensile strength | 104 lb/in |
| Tear strength | 18 lb |
| Weight | 0.75 oz/y² (25 gsm) |
Dyneema® Composite Fabric 0.96 (CT2K.18)
This fabric (formerly called DCF1.0) is used as floor material for our ultralight tents and our more abrasion resistant stuff sacks and drybags, ditty bags etc. It is very tough for its weight thanks to a higher amount of Dyneema® fibers and Mylar layers twice as thick compared to Dyneema® Composite Fabric 0.55.
Dyneema® Composite Fabric shines in wet environments like marshes or when camping on snow, as we have experienced that the floor of our tents remains much drier as compared to standard PU-coated nylon/polyester, probably because of its higher waterproof rating.
| Water Column | 20 000mm |
| Puncture resistance | 3.1 lb |
| Maximum tensile strength | 104 lb/in |
| Tear strength | 21 lb |
| Weight | 0.96 oz/y² (33 gsm) |
Dyneema® Composite Fabric 1.6 (CT5K.18 Black)
We use this fabric for accessories requiring additional durability, like our packing cubes and food bags.
| Water Column | >20 000mm |
| Puncture resistance | 5.2 lb |
| Maximum tensile strength | 191 lb/in |
| Tear strength (warp/weft) | 34 lb |
| Weight | 1.6 oz/y² (53 gsm) |
Other Fabrics
These are the other fabrics we use in our products, especially tents and packs.
Bug netting (Noseeum Mesh)
This super fine and lightweight bug netting is used in our tents and is composed of super-small holes that block even the smallest bugs.
The fabric is made of 15D Nylon and weighs only 22.7g/m2 (0.67oz)
Stretch Mesh
This durable mesh fabric is made of a Nylon/Spandex blend with incredible 4-way stretch. Used for front and side pockets in our packs. We used a more durable and a slightly heavier version of the stretch mesh fabric compared to other companies, to ensure longevity. 260g/m2
3D Spacer Mesh
This fabric is used on the backside of our shoulder straps and hipbelts. It is 3mm thick and provides additional cushion, prevents slippage and allows your sweat to be absorbed and dry faster thus increasing your comfort.
EVA-foam
We use 8mm EVA-foam as padding for shoulder straps and hipbelts and 9mm for lumbar areas and back panel area on the Framus pack. Our EVA-foam is specifically made for us by the EVA-foam manufacturer following our requirements and specifications, in order to be suited for backpacking. It is the perfect balance of thickness, density, hardness and bounce rate. We use a denser foam (70kg/m3) compared to most other companies, to ensure long lasting padding.