As you search for a duffel bag that meets your requirements, you likely have come across some terminology such as 200D, 600D, or something similar. You may be wondering what these terms mean as they relate to the features of a particular duffel bag. Well, here are some quick answers to some questions you may have about material used in making duffel bags and other sports and gym bags.

Question:

What materials are the most commonly-used for duffel bags, gym bags, and other sports bags?

Answer:

The materials most commonly used in making duffel bags include 200D, 600D, and 1000D. Those numbers may not mean much to you, so I’ll fill you in on what they mean. Generally, the higher the number before the D, the higher the quality and durability in the fabric used to make the duffel bag.

200D Fabric: This is lightweight, 100% nylon fabric coated with a polyurethane backing. Duffel bags made from this fabric are the least waterproof. They are the cheapest bags available as well.

600D Fabric: This is possibly the most commonly used fabric for making duffel bags. It is a heavy-duty fabric with a vinyl backing. Although not completely waterproof, this kind of bag is water resistant enough to be used for most typical athletic activities, such as going to the gym or a night at the field, even during wet conditions.

1000D Fabric: This fabric is a very durable 100% nylon with polyurethane backing. Its properties excel 200D and 600D (waterproof, durability, etc.).

Mesh: Bags labeled as mesh are generally made of 100% heavy-duty nylon. This kind of material is often used to make wet pockets on bags or water bottle pockets. The holes in regular mesh are smaller than jersey mesh.

Jersey Mesh: This kind of mesh is not as durable as normal mesh bags. It has larger holes. This mesh type is often referred to as porthole mesh. These bags are usually used as equipment bags. For instance, football teams use mesh bags to carry all their pads, helmets, cleats and other equipment.

Question:

Does the kind of material used in making a duffel bag or gym bag have any impact on whether I can have the bags embroidered?

Answer:

The type of material used can affect what embellishment (embroidery, screen printing, etc.) can be done on a duffel bag. Sometimes the properties of the material can be affected by doing embroidery. For instance, embroidering a bag affects how waterproof it is in the areas where the stitching has been done.