From saddlebags and panniers to rainwear and shoulder bags, over the years, cotton duck has been a material synonymous with Carradice.
Designed to endure and age gracefully, cotton duck develops a unique patina and can be re-waxed repeatedly to prolong its life.
The Carradice Heritage Range showcases all our products crafted from waxed cotton duck, the durable, weather-resistant material that has been at the heart of Carradice since 1932.
But what exactly is cotton duck, and why is it a material you should consider when purchasing a bike bag?
What is cotton duck fabric?
Cotton duck material (sometimes referred to as Duck Canvas) is a heavyweight, closely woven fabric known for its strength and durability.
With a history dating back to the 19th century, the term "duck" originates from the Dutch word "doek," which refers to linen canvas.
Originally, cotton duck was used to make ship sails and sailors' trousers, but, over time, cotton replaced linen as the primary fibre, leading to the development of the robust and versatile textile known today as cotton duck.
What is cotton duck used for?
Whilst we put cotton duck to use in cycle bags and rain jackets, this trusty material is also used to construct tents, boat covers and even footwear.
It was used heavily in the military in the last century due to its toughness and waterproof properties, and it was even used to construct canvas water buckets for camping.
What do the different weights of cotton duck refer to?
Shop for items made using cotton duck, and you’ll often see the ounce weight of the cotton duck used in their manufacture. For example, “18-ounce cotton duck” is used to manufacture our bestselling Barley saddlebag.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the ounce (or oz) rating of a cotton duck fabric refers to its ‘weight’ - in other words, the material's thickness, durability, as well as its actual weight.
The weight of cotton duck varies from application to application. We choose to use 18-ounce for our bags. Its heavy-duty rating makes it ideal for carrying weight, shrugging off the odd scrape and generally being durable.
Meanwhile, our Duxback Poncho uses a 6oz cotton duck. Lighter in weight, this is the ideal grade of cotton duck to make a jacket.
Is cotton duck waterproof?
Cotton duck, when first woven, is not waterproof. Its composition includes inherently absorbent cotton fibres, making the fabric susceptible to water penetration. You can make it waterproof by applying a water-repellent finish such as wax - hence the name: Waxed Cotton Duck.
Normally, after sewing, fabrics become porous because of the holes made by the stitching needle. Not so with cotton duck.
When the seams of a cotton duck bag come into contact with water the cotton filaments of the fabric and thread swell and close up the hole made by the needle, making a barrier to water.
What makes cotton duck such a versatile and user-friendly material?
Cotton duck is valued for its exceptional durability, making it well-suited to handle the rigours of the outdoors. Its inherent strength allows it to perform reliably in demanding conditions for years or even decades of use. This is why it has long been a favourite at Carradice.
Cotton duck is also highly receptive to dyes and treatments, allowing its colour and finish to be customised with ease. Carradice Burgundy, anyone? Ultimately, because cotton duck is derived from natural cotton, it offers a clean, timeless aesthetic that gives products a distinctive, eye-catching quality.
Another key advantage of cotton duck is its natural resistance to water. Unlike modern coated fabrics, which can trap air and cause contents contained within to become musty, cotton duck allows air to circulate through its filaments, keeping items fresh. This breathability enhances comfort and practicality in a wide range of outdoor scenarios - not just cycle touring, bikepacking or commuting.
Maintenance of cotton duck is straightforward, as there are no synthetic coatings to peel or wear away. Waxed cotton duck can easily be re-proofed (we sell our own wax) and repaired through simple stitching, allowing the performance of the item to be preserved for many years.
With the ability to refresh both its water resistance and structural integrity, cotton duck remains a long-lasting and dependable choice.
What’s the difference between cotton duck and Cordura?
Cotton duck and Cordura are often mentioned in the same breath - indeed, we use both here at Carradice - but they’re not the same material.
Classic cotton duck remains a fully natural, 100% cotton fabric, whereas Cordura is a high-performance synthetic fabric, usually made from nylon.
Blends of the two materials do exist with the aim to boost durability whilst still preserving the more traditional look and feel of cotton duck.
For riding off-road or the daily rigours of bikepacking, we think the extra abrasion resistance Cordura offers is well worth considering. That’s why we use this nylon-based material across all bags in our Adventure Range.
Cotton duck, the bottom line
Cotton duck is a performance fabric that has stood the test of time. It still delivers outstanding performance to rival many synthetic fabrics, and of course, it's 100% natural.
In its waxed variant, cotton duck is not only waterproof and breathable, keeping your stuff safe, dry and fresh.
Oh, and of course, it looks good too!
