Fabric for hiking pants - #2

[Meganw]

See if this post works this time.
I'm aiming to make some bushwalking pants that actually fit me, are comfortable under my pack waistbelt and only have the bells and whistles that I like. I know how to sew, and have learned how to draft pants patterns - but it's the fabric side of things that has me a bit stuck.

I know where to get fabric from overseas (eg Extremtextile, Shelby, RSBTR, Rockywoods, Discovery Fabrics) - but have any of you found a source in Australia ?

I walk in Tasmania, mostly off track, and have suffered from pants which were too hot in summer (it got over 25 degrees on a walk last summer OMG!!), and I don't want shorts, because I hate been torn up by scoparia - so am after fabric which is durable, light-midweight stretch woven, breathable, with a bit of stretch and dries fast (the holy grail!!). MYOG Australia hasn't yet got into this sort of fabric (hint hint).
PS - not cotton

Cheers
Megan

[ofuros]

Out of frustration with the lack of choice here, I usually buy the specialised fabrics i need from overseas, cross my fingers for a good exchange rate at the time or take the price/postage hit to bring my custom ideas to life...obviously more expensive but does bring your creative ideas to life.

Or modify what's locally available here in the fabrics you like.

Love my bushwalking shorts in 4way stretch fabric...

Last edited by ofuros on Thu 03 Jul, 2025 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Moondog55]

I simply use Taslan or a polyester trackie pant fabric and put up with the shortcomings. We won't use the huge amount in our stash so if you want a sample of the slick polyester PM me your address.
Bag the knees and you obviate the need for stretch a bit and a leg seam zipper helps with ventilation

[Lamont]

...am after fabric which is durable, light-midweight stretch woven, breathable, with a bit of stretch and dries fast (the holy grail!!).
Cheers
Megan

Megan, the holy grail are these qualities PLUS permanently waterproof.


I hope you find something, I reckon Oz is hopeless for materials that are any good for most clothes.
The one hope you might have is ...to be prepared to spend some time (perhaps a lot of time) and go into the big shop we all know, and look for stuff that's not marketed for what you want.


Let's know if you have any success-good hunting.

Last edited by Lamont on Sat 05 Jul, 2025 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Warin]

...am after fabric which is durable, light-midweight stretch woven, breathable, with a bit of stretch and dries fast (the holy grail!!).
Cheers
Megan

Megan, the holy grail are these qualities PLUS permanently waterproof.

Ewes forgot cheap.

[Meganw]

Thank you everyone.
Oh well, I was hoping there was a mystery source. I've been to my local gigantic fabric shop, and there is nothing even slightly close .

So, I have ordered from Rockywoods - Schoeller Dynamic and the Telluride.
I've ordered fabric before for a quilt, an insulated jacket and alpha direct - but I could find more info on what to buy for those. This felt more like a barely-educated guess. At least I could find some reviews/articles about the schoeller - sounds good, but might be hot? The Telluride is lighter. I bought both so I had a choice when they arrive - besides, it would have just been wrong if the shipping cost more than what I was buying!!!
Extremtextil was my next choice. Airwave from RBTR was mentioned a lot online, but a few people said it was not very durable? The other material that got a mention was Palisade from Rockywood - but they didn't have any. Anyone found any fabric they like ? (I probably should have asked this before I ordered !!)

wish me luck .

PS breathable, stretch, durable....and waterproof would have been a miracle, not the holy grail; cheap as well? Impossible!

[Lamont]

Thank you everyone.
This felt more like a barely-educated guess. At least I could find some reviews/articles about the schoeller - sounds good, but might be hot? The Telluride is lighter.
Anyone found any fabric they like ? (I probably should have asked this before I ordered !!)

wish me luck .



Luck!

For pants to walk I buy them made for the little time I wear them. Have never found a material I liked enough.
Durability will trump (ahem) air/moisture permeability every time. You can't get all three in light commercial fabric by the metre I reckon.
I did strike one company's stuff from Japan (the Japanese really understand this sort of material!) but the cost of enough to make some clothes was just too high.

I've not used that version so am interested to see how that 'Dynamic Schoeller" version goes for you.
If the Telluride is not only lighter but more wind/moisture permeable could be good?

Will also really depend how hot you reckon hot is and how active you are too.

I'd like to know how you get on. Good to see someone making stuff.

Cheers

Last edited by Lamont on Tue 08 Jul, 2025 10:44 am, edited 3 times in total.

[sandym]

MeganW, Schoeller is fantastic, but it could be a bit hot. If so, just use those for colder weather! Will be interested to hear your results.

[Meganw]

Ive tried to reply a few times - 3rd time lucky?

Thanks Lamont and Sandym

Durability will trump (ahem) air/moisture permeability every time. You can't get all three in light commercial fabric by the metre I reckon.
yeah - the balance of durability, breathability, not-hotness that is ok for me will be different to what is acceptable for others.

MeganW, Schoeller is fantastic, but it could be a bit hot. If so, just use those for colder weather! Will be interested to hear your results.

Thats what I was thinking too. Although I have a pair of Shefly/gnara pants (modified ++ to fit) that are good for colder weather. I suppose I could add ventilation side zips - seems a bit much/fussy!

I will enjoy the process of making them.

[Lamont]

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