More Than Five Decades in the Making
Durability. What began in 1967 as the hallmark of the CORDURA® brand has since become our heritage. Through continuous transformation over the last five decades, our portfolio has expanded to include new fabrics and fiber technologies that strengthen our capabilities today. From jeans to jackets, backpacks to work boots, these innovations make many of the products you rely on every day even stronger.
CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics have changed the worlds of workwear, outdoor equipment and lifestyle apparel. These fabrics have protected heroes on the front lines by covering their backs and have empowered the adventurous to blaze new trails.
Keep scrolling to learn more about where we came from and where we’re headed.
The CORDURA® brand has come a long way since our very first fabric debuted in 1967. Follow along and see how the brand has evolved over the years beyond durable workwear to influence adventure sports, urban fashion and even tactical defense.
The CORDURA® brand launches in 1967 amid an era of great change, ushering in a new generation of durable performance fabrics that would become the brand’s hallmark over the next six decades.
Transforming fabrics to meet the needs of a changing world
1960
Transforming fabrics to meet the needs of a changing world
The CORDURA® brand launches in 1967 amid an era of great change, ushering in a new generation of durable performance fabrics that would become the brand’s hallmark over the next six decades.
CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics are quickly recognized by workwear designers for its enhanced abrasion resistance and tear strength, making their way into gear produced by notable names like Kelty, Jansport and Eastpak.
Gear and garments for outdoor activities get an upgrade
1970
Gear and garments for outdoor activities get an upgrade
CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics are quickly recognized by workwear designers for its enhanced abrasion resistance and tear strength, making their way into gear produced by notable names like Kelty, Jansport and Eastpak.
The CORDURA® brand breaks into urbanwear, and the portfolio expands thanks to the advent of 1000d and 500d CORDURA® Plus fabrics, offering improved softness in bags, packs, upholstery, and lighter-weight gear and apparel.
Expanding to everyday life with new fabric technologies
1980
Expanding to everyday life with new fabric technologies
The CORDURA® brand breaks into urbanwear, and the portfolio expands thanks to the advent of 1000d and 500d CORDURA® Plus fabrics, offering improved softness in bags, packs, upholstery, and lighter-weight gear and apparel.
The CORDURA® brand answers the call and is chosen by both Carharrt and the U.S. military for utilization in rugged outerwear and combat boots. The CORDURA® Plus Colorlock™ line of solution-dyed nylon yarn also debuts.
Decades of proven durability lead to military adoption
1990
Decades of proven durability lead to military adoption
The CORDURA® brand answers the call and is chosen by both Carharrt and the U.S. military for utilization in rugged outerwear and combat boots. The CORDURA® Plus Colorlock™ line of solution-dyed nylon yarn also debuts.
The CORDURA® Cares program formally begins, in support of the brand’s long-running commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, and the CORDURA® brand releases its EcoMade fabric made with recycled polyester yarns.
A new era begins for eco-consciousness and sustainability
2000
A new era begins for eco-consciousness and sustainability
The CORDURA® Cares program formally begins, in support of the brand’s long-running commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, and the CORDURA® brand releases its EcoMade fabric made with recycled polyester yarns.
Innovation gives rise to explosive growth in new fabric technologies, such as CORDURA® NYCO Knit workwear fabrics, mesh knit CORDURA® AFT Fabric fabrics and CORDURA® Lite Fabric, offering improved tensile strength. In 2017, the brand celebrates 50 years of durable performance.
A series of product launches highlights a decade of growth
2010
A series of product launches highlights a decade of growth
Innovation gives rise to explosive growth in new fabric technologies, such as CORDURA® NYCO Knit workwear fabrics, mesh knit CORDURA® AFT Fabric fabrics and CORDURA® Lite Fabric, offering improved tensile strength. In 2017, the brand celebrates 50 years of durable performance.
Innovation continues to be the hallmark of the CORDURA® brand, and as more brands and consumers adopt sustainability mindsets, CORDURA® re/cor™ is launched into the market. This brand new recycled nylon 6,6 fabric is a direct answer to the calls from the industry for a more responsible offering that can still perform to the standards one would expect of a CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics product.
Responding to industry demand with recycled nylon 6,6 fiber
2020
Responding to industry demand with recycled nylon 6,6 fiber
Innovation continues to be the hallmark of the CORDURA® brand, and as more brands and consumers adopt sustainability mindsets, CORDURA® re/cor™ is launched into the market. This brand new recycled nylon 6,6 fabric is a direct answer to the calls from the industry for a more responsible offering that can still perform to the standards one would expect of a CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics product.
There’s no quicker way to communicate durability than by adding a CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics hangtag or sew-in label to your products. Hangtags are great for sharing fast facts about the functional benefits of CORDURA® Advanced Fabric. Sew-in labels provide a signal of quality that your customers will recognize, appreciate and grow to rely on as they purchase more products made with CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics.
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Our high standards don’t stop at CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics. We’re selective about the mills we choose to partner with. That means if they’re listed in our database, you can count on them to provide the fabrics you’re looking for. Not only will these fabrics meet our quality standards; with a wide array of certified fabrics, they are guaranteed to meet your standards too. Use our mill finder to narrow down our licensed partners now.
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We have continuously worked to create products that are stronger, tougher, lighter and longer lasting. We believe that Sustainability Begins With Products That Last ™. This is the foundation of our four pillars of sustainability. Read on to learn more about our commitment.
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