WHAT’S LIGHTER THAN KEVLAR BUT 4X STRONGER?

Cuben Fiber is the future of performance gear

By The Editors
September 2, 2015 9:00 am

Travel light.

A time-tested piece of travel wisdom. But even the oldest adages could use an update.

Enter: Cuben Fiber.

Cuben Fiber is stronger than steel but floats on water. It is 100% waterproof. Radically light. And yet it has the makeup of traditional fabric — so never flimsy.

It’s basically the lightest, strongest fiber in the world. Who doesn’t want that?

Cuben Fiber is still largely in vitro (and at this point, not too kind on the wallet), but a few bag-and-pack and outdoors companies have begun to weave it into their product lines.

Herein: three of our favorite early adopters.

Outlier Ultrahigh Backpack
From the future fabric lovers at Outlier, the Ultrahigh Backpack is discreet rolltop number that looks good on the streets or in the backcountry. Engineered to move with the body. Aluminum hardware. Ready for anything.

Hyperlite Echo II Ultralight Shelter System
The perfect lightweight shelter for campers, hikers and backpackers alike. Easily stuffable. Can take abuse but will last a lifetime. Pair it with a shelter insert. Also recommended: Hyperlite’s Stuff Sacks.

SDR DR3 Traveller Duffel Bag
Pared back, minimalist design makes the D3 Traveller covetable. Also the fact that it folds up into the size of a sweater and can convert into a backpack with a clever twist. Weighs one pound.

Main image: Nick Traux

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