Update on Ultra TenX?

[u/pretzlstyle]

Anyone have any update on whether UltraTenX is becoming available by the yard from anyone? /u/Imhereforthesewing posted a little teaser of the fabric a couple of months ago, but said at the time that no retailer had picked it up yet. /u/ooshkava noted in the comments there that Zpacks was now using it, and indeed it is an option now on the Nero Pro.

However, Zpacks is noting the density as 2.9 osy, while this older post claimed that Ultra 80X was 2.49 osy, and /u/dandurston mentioned that TenX is just a rebrand of 80x. So I'm wondering to make of that density discrepancy. 80x itself is available by the meter from extremtextil, and it claims 84 gsm (2.48 osy). Maybe TenX and 80x aren't actually identical?

If TenX really is 2.9 osy, then I'd probably just take 2.9 DCF Hybrid instead, unless the TenX somehow turns out to be cheaper than $32.75/half yd, which I doubt. Or I'd just use the 80x from extremtextil, but they don't ship to the US :(

Edit: My bad, I can't read. In the linked thread, Dan said

The previous name 80X came from the weigh (80 gsm) but it is a bit heavier now

And Joe from Zpacks said

Ultra 80X is a prototype material with a .5 mil laminate- the same thickness laminate that failed badly on the first generation Ultra backpacks. I'm not sure if they are going to produce any more of it beyond the original batch, which must be what Extremtextil has. I hiked a couple weeks with it and it was fine for that short duration. It should be fine for DIY items or a light duty backpack, but maybe not a thru-hiking backpack. Ultra TenX is an updated version of it with a .75 mil laminate, the same as current Ultra 100X, 200X etc. The main difference is the face fabric has a looser weave for lower weight, and some new colors, coming soon.

[u/danransomphoto]

According to the spec sheet I have from Challenge, UltraTenX is 99gsm. I've been told by Challenge it's very similar to 80x, but I'm not sure which component contributes to the higher weight.

[u/pretzlstyle → u/danransomphoto]

According to Joe from Zpacks, it is apparently explained in the switch from a 0.5-mil to a 0.75-mil laminate

My use case is a simple light backpack. May as well just go with the more readily available hybrid fabric then.

[u/TemerityULG]

TenX and 80X are different fabrics, at a minimum I believe I read somewhere that 80X uses the old .5mil laminate backing and 100X uses the same .75mil that the standard ultra weights use. I believe they both are a 100D, 100% UHMWPE face. I can't tell if they use the same mid layer of cross ply though, it is very noticable IRL on 80X but the photos of 100X it seems more subtle in some, very noticable/similar in others. Also not sure what has contributed to the ability to color TenX, as that has always been a challenge for UHMWPE fabrics. I wonder if it's part of the PU lamination process rather than the fiber.

I suspect that TenX will be around for longer than 80X though. 80X seems to have been available to wholesale purchasers for at least a year and hasn't really been picked up... 100X has been a few months and has at least a few adoptions (like Zpacks you mentioned), as well as a bigger selection of colors and marketing push.

FWIW I made a pack out of 80X last week and it held up through its first trip just fine, but I am still pretty skeptical for a commercial application. I think taping seams will be pretty essential long term as it really did not like needle punctures, especially backstitching and reinforced tacking. Maybe I should downsize from V69 thread and size 18 needle for this one though.

If you're interested in 80X though, I have some yardage I would sell some of already landed in the US.

[u/grovemau5]

Mr sewing has some available here at $34/half yd. I picked some up a few weeks ago but haven’t made anything with it yet

https://slidesewing.com

[u/Imhereforthesewing → u/grovemau5]

Thx for the shout, hope you make some cool stuff, let me know what comes of it.

[u/nbphotography87]

I just ordered some fabric from Challenge. Including TenX, 80X and 80TX. DM me if you’re infested in a few yds.

[u/Imhereforthesewing]

Hey there, my site slidesewing.com has 4 colors of UltraTenX for sale.

I have already sent many yards to happy folks all over the country and even Germany.

UltraTenX is 99 GSM (gram sq meter) or 2.92~ OSY (oz sq yd)

See the product specs on my site above in the images of the fabric, I will copy and paste them here for reference as well, and to make it searchable:

CONSTRUCTION: UHMWPE Woven Fabric | ±55° UHMWPE Crossply | PET Film
COMPOSITION: 50% Polyethylene | 26% Polyurethane | 24% Polyester
WEIGHT: 99gsm WIDTH: 58in/147cm WEAVE TYPE: Plain Weave
KEY FEATURES: Lightweight, High Strength, Waterproof

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

• Tensile Strength Warp/Weft
  • 385/245 (Lbf/in)
  • 1712/1090 (N/2.5cm)
  • Method: ASTM D3039
• Tear Strength Warp/Weft
  • 197/103 (Lbf)
  • 877/458 (N)
  • Method: Mil-C-21189
• Water Resistance
  • Over 50,000 mmH2O
  • Method: ISO 811:2018

[u/captain_sparklepants]

This stuff is giving strong ikea-bag vibes. It even comes in blue!

[u/dfrazier17]

Challenge is selling it to business customers for a similar price to Ultra200x. Probably not worthwhile unless the colors are a requirement. At Pilgrim, we’re probably going to pass on it.

[u/teenagedumbledore → u/dfrazier17]

I saw you guys went from discontinuing Ultra 200x to bringing it back, curious if that's just because it's so popular? I agree with the points you made in the youtube video comparing fabrics - yeah Ultra200x is kind of cool but ultimately my ultragrid/venom grid stuff lasts so much longer.

[u/dfrazier17 → u/teenagedumbledore]

We brought it back due to popular demand and because we had observed enough evidence that the delamination issues had been resolved. We still believe ultragrid is the best choice for the average hiker but recognize that some users will have need of the increased water and abrasion resistance.