Every brand wants to sound sustainable.
And in the outdoor industry, that often means “recycled.”
But from a crash pad perspective — where abrasion, tearing, and weather exposure are daily realities — “eco” materials can behave very differently once they hit real rock.
When ‘Eco’ Meets Impact
As you’ll already know, crash pad shells take far more abuse than most outdoor products.
They’re dragged across rock, wedged in landings, and folded hundreds of times between sessions.
That’s where the limits of some recycled fabrics start to show.
We’ve tested and repaired enough pads to see the patterns:
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Recycled ripstop polyester shells are often substantially less durable, less tear-resistant, and less suited to high-friction use.
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Polyester fibres tend to propagate rips quickly — one small nick can open into a full seam tear.
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Nylon shells, such as Cordura® and similar fabrics, resist surface wear longer and hold shape under repeated folding and friction.
Many recycled fabrics are far better for the planet to produce, but can last only a fraction as long in use.
And once a pad fails early and ends up in landfill, that eco gain disappears (even if you find a good use for your torn shell).
Durability first can be sustainability.
What to Watch Out For
If you’re comparing pads or other outdoor gear, look past the green tag:
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Check fabric weight: 1000D nylon will outlast 600D recycled polyester every time.
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Ask about coatings: PU and similar coatings control abrasion and waterproofing lifespan.
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Inspect seams and stress points: look at your friends’ pads after a few seasons and see how they’ve held up.
It’s not about avoiding recycled fabrics — it’s about understanding their limits.
Some perform brilliantly in packs or clothing, but fail fast in high-friction gear like pads, haul bags, and rope tarps.
How We Approach It
We’re not against recycled materials — far from it.
We already use UK-made cross-linked foam with 30% recycled content, and we’re testing new shell fabrics that reduce virgin nylon use without sacrificing strength.
But we won’t use a material that looks sustainable on paper and fails in practice.
We’d rather extend product lifespan first, then scale sustainability through proven, repairable builds.
Our shells use 1000D nylon, chosen because it’s one of the best materials we’ve tested and can be sourced locally.
It’s not the lightest, but it outlasts everything else we’ve found — and that’s where real sustainability starts.
Our landing decks actually use polyester, to achieve the vibrant prints we’re known for.
To make that viable, we went with Cordura® HP 1000D — one of the toughest, highest-grade polyester fabrics available.
Making Informed Choices
Don’t take our word for it.
Talk to friends.
Look at what fails first — corners, seams, coatings, or zips.
Those details tell you more about longevity than any “eco” logo ever will.
Recycled fabrics are the future.
They just need to match the realities of outdoor use, not the promises of marketing.
→ Learn more in How We Choose Fabrics — Why We Use 1000D Nylon and Cordura® HP
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