What’s the Best Webbing Type for Outdoor, Military or Fashion Applications?

Webbing might seem like a simple component, but choosing the right type is critical for ensuring durability, comfort and visual appeal. Whether you're planning an outdoor adventure, kitting out tactical gear, or designing fashion accessories, your webbing choice matters. The UK market, in particular, demands a variety of webbing types due to its unpredictable climate and growing interest in both sustainable materials and tactical-quality gear.

In this UK-focused guide, we’ll help you understand:

• What webbing is used for
• The key materials available (Polypropylene, Nylon, Cotton, Other Webbing)
• How to match webbing to your use-case (outdoor, military, fashion)
• Where to buy quality webbing online in the UK

Let’s break it down so you can choose confidently.

What is Webbing?

Webbing is a strong, woven fabric strip used for binding, strapping, carrying, or reinforcing. It comes in various materials, widths, and strengths, making it ideal for everything from securing tents to crafting belt bags. Webbing is often found in products like backpacks, cargo straps, climbing gear, pet harnesses, belts, and fashion accessories. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, a fashion designer, or a military supplier, webbing is an essential part of many products.

Understanding Webbing Materials

Each webbing material offers unique benefits. Here’s how the main types compare:

Polypropylene Webbing – Lightweight, Water-Resistant & Budget-Friendly

Polypropylene webbing is a popular choice for lightweight, water-resistant needs. It resists mildew and is available in various colours, making it perfect for pet accessories, temporary outdoor setups, or fashion items. Polypropylene is also easy to sew and cut, which is great for hobbyists and designers who want a fuss-free material. However, it's not as strong or UV-resistant as other types, and prolonged exposure to sunlight may degrade its performance over time.

Best suited for: Pet leads, budget outdoor projects, colourful accessories, temporary tie-downs, DIY fashion pieces.

Nylon Webbing – Strong & Abrasion-Resistant

Nylon webbing is known for its strength and durability. It handles heavy loads and shock well, which makes it ideal for rucksacks, military gear, and safety applications. It’s particularly suitable for uses where the webbing will endure repeated stress or motion, such as climbing harnesses and tactical gear. However, nylon absorbs water and may lose strength when wet, so it's best used in drier conditions or where quick drying is possible.

Best suited for: Tactical belts, climbing gear, military applications, industrial strapping, and high-performance outdoor gear.

Cotton Webbing – Soft, Eco-Friendly & Fashion-Focused

Cotton webbing provides a natural look and soft feel. It’s ideal for bags, belts, collars, and fashion accessories. Cotton is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and easy to dye, which makes it an appealing option for sustainable product lines. While it doesn’t match synthetics for strength or water resistance, its comfort and visual appeal make it a favourite in lifestyle and design-focused applications.

Best suited for: Fashion accessories, belts, pet collars, eco-conscious designs, vintage-style straps, and bags with a natural look.

Other Webbing – Mixed Materials & Specialised Uses

Other webbing types include mixed-fibre options and specialised designs like elastic webbing, jacquard-patterned webbing, reflective safety webbing, and decorative woven tapes. These vary in strength and flexibility and are often used in niche applications or high-end design projects. For example, reflective webbing is essential in safety clothing, while jacquard webbing may be used for premium bag straps.

Best suited for: Custom applications, decorative or flexible strap requirements, safety gear, and premium fashion products.

Quick Comparison Table

Choosing the Right Webbing by Application

Outdoor Projects

For outdoor use in the UK, webbing must withstand rain, mud, and occasional sun. Polypropylene is a good lightweight option for temporary outdoor use, camping gear, or non-load-bearing straps. For high-performance, weatherproof projects such as climbing or cargo securing, nylon is the better option if available in your product range. Cotton, while comfortable, should be avoided outdoors unless kept dry.

Example: If you're building a DIY dog lead for walks in wet weather, polypropylene offers a colourful, mildew-resistant option. For heavy-duty kayak straps, go with nylon.

Military or Tactical Gear

When strength and durability matter, nylon webbing is the top performer. Its high abrasion resistance and strength make it suitable for demanding tactical applications. Nylon webbing is often used in MOLLE systems, parachute harnesses, and military backpacks. In these environments, reliability under tension and repeated use is critical.

Example: A tactical belt or plate carrier vest made with nylon webbing provides security and comfort under pressure, even in rugged UK training conditions.

Fashion & Accessories

For belts, bags and lifestyle accessories, cotton webbing is the favourite. It’s soft, eco-friendly, and visually appealing. Polypropylene also works well for colourful, affordable fashion pieces and accessories with a more casual or playful look.

Example: A handbag with cotton webbing straps offers a natural, comfortable carry. A festival-themed backpack strap might feature vibrant polypropylene for fun and function.

Choosing the Right Width

The width of your webbing plays a huge role in performance and aesthetics:

• 10–20 mm: Pet collars, wrist straps, keychains, light accessories
• 25 mm: Belts, bags, everyday carry straps, fashion accessories
• 38–50 mm: Tactical harnesses, military gear, load-bearing straps, safety gear

Hardware Compatibility

Pair your webbing with the right fittings for the best results:

• Side-release buckles for bags and belts
• Ladderlocks for adjustable straps
• Cam buckles for heavy-duty fastening

It’s important to match the width of your hardware to your webbing to ensure a snug and secure fit, especially for load-bearing or movement-intensive applications.

Care Tips 

Webbing, regardless of type, performs best when properly maintained:

• Polypropylene: Wipe clean with a damp cloth, store away from direct sunlight to preserve integrity.

• Nylon: Rinse with mild soap and water, avoid long-term soaking; hang dry thoroughly.

• Cotton: Hand wash with cold water and mild detergent to prevent shrinkage and colour fading.

• Other Webbing: Refer to specific manufacturer instructions based on material mix.

Frequent use, especially in outdoor or safety-critical settings, should be followed by regular inspection for fraying, fading or stretching.

Explore our full webbing range, including high-quality fittings, at Tarps UK.

Conclusion

Choosing the right webbing means understanding what your project needs most:

• Polypropylene: Great for colourful, water-resistant, cost-effective uses in casual or short-term applications

• Nylon: Ideal when strength, resilience and reliability are top priorities in demanding or safety-critical gear

• Cotton: Perfect for fashion and eco-conscious products where softness and appearance matter most

• Other types: Best for niche, flexible or decorative designs that require unique features or finishes

Whether you’re designing rugged outdoor equipment, crafting stylish fashion items, or preparing military-grade gear, the right webbing ensures your product delivers on both function and form.

Ready to get started? Visit Tarps UK Online to browse high-quality webbing and hardware supplies trusted across the UK.