Materials
The Fabric decides
Everything.
Why fabric matters
Most clothing specs are marketing. These are not.
The Martindale abrasion test measures how many rub cycles a fabric can withstand before breaking down. It is the most consistent standard for comparing fabric durability across the industry. Standard cotton denim rates between 5,000 and 15,000 cycles. Standard technical nylon fabrics rate between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles.
Every fabric in the swrve range exceeds those benchmarks by a significant margin. Not because the numbers are a selling point. Because they are the reason the garment holds up when everything else wears out.
CORDURA® Denim
250,000
Martindale abrasion cycles. Up to 50x more resistant than standard cotton denim. Mil Spec INVISTA T420 nylon fiber.
Transverse
30,000
Martindale abrasion cycles. 94% nylon, 6% spandex. Significantly beyond standard technical fabrics. French terry interior.
Durable Cotton
5,000
Martindale abrasion cycles. 55% cotton, 38% nylon, 7% spandex. 325 gsm. Upper end of performance cotton.
THE FABRIC
CORDURA® Denim. The most abrasion-resistant fabric in the swrve range.
Built for the people who ask the most of their clothing. Rated to 250,000 Martindale abrasion cycles - up to 50x more resistant than standard cotton denim.
SHOP CORDURA®
What it Is
Military-grade nylon woven into cotton denim.
Built using Mil Spec INVISTA T420 nylon fiber woven directly into a cotton denim construction. The result looks and handles like a traditional jean. The durability is in a different category entirely.
The composition
64% cotton. 17% nylon. 13% polyester. 4-way stretch.
The T420 nylon fiber drives the 250,000 Martindale rating, compared to 5,000 to 15,000 cycles for standard cotton denim. 4-way stretch throughout allows full range of motion without the rigidity of traditional denim.
In real use
Worn daily for five months across four countries without a single rip.
Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Hiking Torres del Paine, mountain biking in Bolivia, crossing lava fields. Five months of daily wear. They came home without a rip, tear, or serious stain.
SHOP CORDURA®THE FABRIC
Transverse. High-nylon performance fabric with a soft interior.
Built for movement, comfort, and all-day wear. 272 gsm, 30,000 Martindale cycles, French terry interior.
SHOP TRANSVERSEWhat it Is
High-nylon fabric with a French terry interior.
Built from 94% nylon and 6% spandex at 272 gsm. The exterior handles abrasion and light weather. The French terry interior wicks moisture and sits naturally against skin without the stiff or synthetic feel common in technical fabrics.
The composition
272 gsm. 94% nylon. 30,000 Martindale cycles. PFAS-free DWR.
Substantial enough to handle abrasion and structure, light enough for active use and travel. The PFAS-free DWR finish handles light rain and wind. 4-way stretch throughout.
In real use
Tough on the outside. Comfortable against skin all day.
The looped terry construction wicks moisture, regulates temperature, and maintains comfort across a full day of movement - on the bike, in the office, and everywhere between.
SHOP TRANSVERSETHE FABRIC
Durable Cotton. Performance cotton built for daily use.
The natural feel of cotton with the durability of a technical fabric. 325 gsm, 5,000 Martindale cycles, PFAS-free DWR finish.
SHOP DURABLE COTTONWhat it Is
Performance cotton built for real-world use.
A 325 gsm blend of 55% cotton, 38% nylon, and 7% spandex. The cotton base delivers natural hand feel and breathability. The nylon and spandex content pushes durability and stretch well beyond standard cotton.
The composition
325 gsm. 55% cotton. 38% nylon. 7% spandex. PFAS-free DWR.
Heavier than most technical fabrics but designed to wear like cotton. The 38% nylon content drives the 5,000 Martindale rating. PFAS-free DWR finish handles light weather without compromising breathability.
In real use
Looks like cotton. Performs like a technical fabric.
Holds shape through repeated wear without stiffening or fading at the rate of standard cotton. For people who want performance without the performance aesthetic.
SHOP DURABLE COTTON