Nylon fabric
Nylon (also labelled polyamide) is the strongest common synthetic, prized for abrasion resistance in activewear, hosiery, and outdoor gear. It is petroleum-based, traps heat, carries the same dye-allergy risk as polyester, and its production releases a potent greenhouse gas.
On your skin
Like polyester, nylon traps heat and is coloured with disperse dyes, which can trigger contact dermatitis in reactive skin.
Comfort and performance
Smooth, slightly stretchy, and fast-drying, with low breathability on its own.
Durability
Nylon is the most abrasion-resistant and strongest common fibre, ideal for high-wear gear and hosiery.
Environmental impact
Petroleum-based and non-biodegradable. Its manufacture emits nitrous oxide, though modern Western plants abate most of it. Woven nylon sheds noticeably less microplastic than knit polyester or fleece.
See what your clothes are really made of
Scan any care label. ClothTrace reads the real fibre, decodes the wash symbols, and flags what it puts against your skin. Free to scan.
Download for iPhoneNylon FAQ
Is nylon and polyamide the same thing?
Yes. Polyamide is the technical name for nylon. A label reading polyamide is nylon.
Is nylon bad for the environment?
It is petroleum-based, does not biodegrade, and its production can emit a strong greenhouse gas. Recycled nylon lowers that footprint.
Is nylon breathable?
Not very. It is hydrophobic with low breathability unless engineered into a wicking construction.
- Sources
- Vassilenko et al. (2021), PLoS ONE, fibre shedding by type.
- Global Efficiency Intelligence (2022), nitrous oxide from adipic acid.