Ripstop
Ripstop is a woven fabric with thicker reinforcing threads set into a grid pattern. If a small tear starts, the grid is meant to stop it running further. It describes how the fabric is woven, so it can apply to more than one material.
Where you'll see it
You will see ripstop named in the fabric description on tents, groundsheets, stuff sacks and some sleeping bag shells. It is often used on lightweight tents, where the fabric is thin and tears are a concern. The name tells you about the weave, not about how water resistant or durable the fabric is overall.
What to check
- The fabric line, which should say whether ripstop is used and on which part of the tent.
- The layer it applies to, since a ripstop flysheet does not tell you anything about the groundsheet.
- The water resistance figure, such as hydrostatic head, which is a separate measure from the weave.
- The maker's repair advice, because a small tear is easier to fix early.
Related terms
- Hydrostatic head: the water resistance measure, which is separate from the weave.
- Flysheet: the outer layer, where ripstop is often used.
- Denier: a measure of yarn thickness that often appears on the same spec line.
Read more: tent types explained and the camping kit weight calculator.