WHAT CORDURA® IS

Cordura® is a high-performance nylon fabric engineered for durability and abrasion resistance, without the stiffness of heavy leather. It repels rain rather well and it also breathes.

It’s commonly used in:

• motorcycle touring suits
• Adventure Gear
• Military attire and outdoor furniture

Cordura is chosen because it can take repeated wear, friction, and weather exposure over long rides.

Benefits of 600D Cordura (Textile) Fabric:

• High Abrasion Resistance: 600D fi ber thickness makes it highly durable against wear, tear, and scuffs, suitable for rugged daily use.
• Water-Resistant Coating: Usually treated with PU (polyurethane) or PVC, this fabric sheds water and keeps items dry during light-to-moderate rain.
• Durability and Structure: The tight, basket-weave structure maintains its shape while providing excellent tensile strength.
• Versatility: It is ideal for backpacks, luggage, outdoor furniture covers, upholstery, and protective riding gear.
• Easy Maintenance: Being 100% synthetic, it is easy to clean and resists mold and mildew.
• UV Resistance: Provides good protection against sun degradation for outdoor applications.

WHY CORDURA WORKS FOR TOURING

Touring riders need gear that performs hour after hour—not just in a slide, but in comfort.

Cordura® helps by:

• Resisting abrasion during road contact.
• Holding up to repeated movement and friction.
• Maintaining structure without feeling bulky.
• Drying far faster than leather.
• Handling wind and temperature shifts better on long days.

DIFFERENT WEIGHTS, DIFFERENT PURPOSES

Not all Cordura is the same.

• 600D Cordura®
  Lightweight, flexible, comfortable for warmer weather and casual touring
• 1000D Cordura®
  Heavier-duty, used in high-impact zones like shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees

Many quality touring suits use a mix of weights, placing heavier Cordura where protection matters most and lighter Cordura where comfort and movement matter. 600D suits are industry standard, 1000D is found at the knees for most suits.

Low quality gear, likely those sold by big volume sellers on the big sites, may use less than 600D quality cordura, so beware.

HOW CORDURA IS USED IN BLAZEN SPIRIT TEXTILE SUITS

Blazen Spirit textile touring gear uses Cordura® intentionally—not everywhere, but where it counts.

You’ll see Cordura used in:

• Primary abrasion zones.
• Reinforced impact areas using 1000D Fabric.
• Outer shells designed to handle wind, road spray, and mileage

Cordura works best as part of a system:

• Layered with liners (thermal or waterproof).
• Paired with CE1 or 2 rated armor. (we tend to use CE1 only in leather items sold)
• Cut for women’s riding positions.

WHY TEXTILE SUITS ARE A TOURING FAVORITE

For touring riders, textile suits offer:

• Versatility across climates.
• Easier layering.
• Lighter weight over long distances.
• Quicker on/off at stops. (Many use pants as OVERPANTS .. and can wear leggings under for comfort, or jeans add to protection with their increased durability).

Cordura makes textile suits durable enough for the long haul, without sacrificing wearability. They are a great choice to have for all season riding, and many are offered with large amounts of venting for open road wear in hotter climates or temperatures.

WHAT CORDURA ISN’T

Cordura:

• Isn’t as abrasion-resistant as full race leather. (leather thickness is 1.5mm)
• Doesn’t eliminate risk.
• Doesn’t replace smart riding.

For touring and ADV riding, it offers one of the best balances of protection, comfort, and versatility available.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Cordura® is trusted in touring gear because it lasts, performs, and holds up to real miles.

At Blazen Spirit, we choose Cordura for textile suits because touring riders need gear that:

• Protects
• Adapts
• Keeps going long after the first tank of gas!

Be Seen. Be Protected. Be Blazen.

Vicki Wiederkehr

Phillip Andrews

And special thanks for our creative pit crew, for the hours used to review and validate this information.