Ultralight Wallet Fabrics: Dyneema Cuben, Tyvek, Ripstop Nylon August 13, 2015 14:03

Olde Dog  recycled sail wallets, incorporate some of the world's most high-tech fabrics into Ultralight and long lasting billfolds and minimalist wallets. Three of the lightest fabrics used are Dyneema Cuben Fiber, Tyvek, and Rip-stop Nylon.

Our ultralight wallets have all the space of a conventional billfold while only weighting 0.3 to 0.5 ounces. These High tech fabrics make it possible.

Dyneema (Cuben) Fiber 

Dyneema fabric, aka Cuben Fiber, (both of which are proprietary names) is an ultra thin laminate fabric made with the world's strongest fibers. These High-modulus polyethylene fibers have a longer molecular chain which makes for a thinner fabric without sacrificing strength. This fabric is much lighter than Kevlar and 15 times stronger than steel on a molecular level. 

The picture above shows Cuben Fiber with some sunlight behind it. Here you can see the random cross-weave of Dyneema fibers that give the fabric is strength. The dark streaks are crinkles; and unlike Kevlar or carbon fiber, the structural integrity of the fibers remain in tact when folded or creased. Downsides to this fabric are it's high cost, and limited color availability. 

Olde Dog's Ultralight Cuben Fiber Wallets weight only 0.3 ounces. All billfolds wallets have six front card slots and one large pleated cash pocket. At the moment all wallets are being produced from recycled sailcloth. Once this supply runs out, we will offer this wallet in newly bought Dyneema Fabric. 

Tyvek

  Tyvek, originally produced by Dupont in 1955, is also in the polyethylene family, more specifically an olefin fiber. It is most widely known for it's use as a moisture barrier in the construction of new buildings. It is also used for protective clothing, and mailing packages. Our Tyvek billfolds weigh in at 0.4 ounces.

All Tyvek material used for our wallets is recycled fabric, found blowing in the wind on the side of the road. I do not intend to make Wallets from new Tyvek. Hopefully more discarded fabric will be found or sent my way. Otherwise, these wallets will be available only until the current supply runs out. 

Rip-stop Nylon

Rip-stop Nylon has also been around for decades, originally designed and manufactured for the US government for use as parachutes. It has a reinforced square weave that prevents holes or tears from spreading further and gives the fabric its name, Rip-stop. Before this fabric, when a parachute tore, it did so in every direction, causing immediate death; this fabric has saved many lives by preventing such large tears from happening. Still used as parachutes today, Rip-stop has evolved over time and revolutionized innumerable industries. It is used for everything from jackets and tents to high tech sails.

Our Rip-stop Billfolds Weight just 0.5 ounces, and available in several different color options. This fabric will also only be available until the current supply of recycled sailcloth runs out. 

The photo above shows Rip-stop nylon in our "Veho Minimalist wallet" design. This small front pocket wallet is ideal for carrying the bare essentials. It is also available in Dyneema Cuben Fiber.

If you have any questions or have a certain design of your own, please email me to discuss your project.

Thanks,

Tom A.
oldedogsewing@gmail.com