NyCo (nylon-cotton blend) is a material commonly used in the manufacture of tactical gear. What makes it so well-suited to this application is the combining of the best that each of the two base fibres offers. Nylon brings to the mix its great durability and more, while cotton brings comfort plus other excellent qualities.
NyCo brings together the best of the two fabrics from which it is blended-nylon and cotton. Nylon gives it tremendous durability. Cotton gives it exceptional comfort.
This fabrics are predominantly manufactured and used in North America and Asia (whereas in Europe, polyester-cotton (PolyCo) blends are king and have been for the last 50 years).
As recently as a decade ago, NyCo fabrics were extremely difficult to come by in Europe. But even though they now are available in abundance, European military and law-enforcement organizations continue to maintain their now firmly entrenched tradition of using PolyCo in the manufacture of their combat uniforms and BDUs.
A day will surely come when NyCo loses its place at the top of the fabric hierarchy in the tactical space, replaced by new and better materials. That day is yet far off. But improvements being made now to NyCo are helping ensure it remains a favorite at least for the foreseeable future.