Lightness That Takes You Far

Ultra-light, high-strength, and waterproof: Our specially developed LiteGrid-RN200T3 material is the core of our bikepacking bags. It meets the high demands of ambitious adventurers as well as performance-oriented long-distance cyclists. What makes our material so unique? Here’s an overview.

What material is light enough for any bikepacking adventure, yet durable and 100 percent waterproof?

We asked ourselves this question in 2020, when we founded CYCLITE. Finding the right fabric wasn’t easy as the pursuit of lightness often contradicts durability and waterproofing. The latter, in particular, is crucial: to prevent water from entering the bag, the fabric is coated with a special layer. The individual fabric pieces are then seamlessly welded together, ensuring that no potential weak points arise at edges or other areas where moisture could penetrate during the production of the final product.

The problem: The thickness of the coating

For this welding to hold permanently, the special, waterproof TPU coating (thermoplastic polyurethane) must have a minimum thickness. And this was where we weren’t satisfied: all existing materials were thick enough to be welded and keep water out, but at the expense of lightness.

When necessity is the mother of invention

Driven by the desire to find the perfect balance of lightness, durability, and waterproofing, we brainstormed, tested extensively, and finally found a solution: by optimizing the thickness of the coating on the inside—thick enough for welding, but light enough for the overall weight—and combining it with a technical yet lightweight fabric, we could create a material that offers everything.

The fabric: High-strength, recycled nylon

First, the base fabric was developed: a ripstop material made of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6.

While Nylon 6 is made from a single monomer with six carbon atoms, Nylon 6.6 is composed of two monomers, each with six carbon atoms.

Nylon 6.6, our CYCLITE reinforcement fiber, is even more durable and high-performance than other polyamides. Since the fiber absorbs less dye, you can see it with the naked eye on our bags.

Additionally, we use only recycled nylon. The recycled fibers have the same material properties as new nylon: they’re strong, durable, and highly abrasion-resistant. Using them helps us reduce waste, consume less energy and water during production, and lower our carbon footprint.

It's part of our company philosophy to keep our environmental impact as small as possible, protect the planet, and respect the nature we love. We achieve this, not just through recycled materials, but also through high-quality, intelligent manufacturing and thoughtful features that ensure our products last for many, many years.

The ripstop pattern and the new LiteGrid-RN200T3

How abrasion- and tear-resistant a material is can be measured by its denier value: this unit measures the weight of the raw yarn in grams per 9000 meters in length.

In our bikepacking bags, we combine 200 denier Nylon 6 with a second 280 denier reinforcement yarn (Nylon 6.6). These two yarns of different strengths are woven into a ripstop fabric: a ripstop structure that you can spot if you look closely at the bags. This structure allows the creation of a lightweight yet highly tear-resistant material from two yarns.

The TPU and PU coating: waterproof inside, dirt-repellent outside

After the fabric is woven and dyed, it is coated with two layers. On the outside, a PU coating (a special resin) protects the fabric from dirt, abrasion, and wear. It makes the bag more resistant to external influences. That’s why your CYCLITE bag stays clean even after muddy trails: dirt can’t penetrate the fiber thanks to the coating. Just wipe the bag down with a damp cloth, and you're done. The PU coating is an eco-friendly method as it’s free of harmful chemicals.

On the fabric's interior, a high-quality thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating makes the bag waterproof. Like a membrane, it creates a barrier that prevents water from getting inside the bag. With this special coating technology, the thickness can be precisely adjusted, which was crucial in achieving the lightness of our LiteGrid-RN200T3 material.

When everything comes together: welding

Once the fabric is coated on both sides, only one step remains: the individual pieces must be assembled into a product. However, we don’t sew the fabric pieces together—sewing could damage the material and compromise its waterproofing. Instead, TPU-coated fabrics can be welded together using heat and pressure. High-frequency welding vibrates the fabric pieces against each other, generating friction heat that bonds them together in an airtight, waterproof, and durable connection.

What makes our bag material unique

Through all these manufacturing processes, we’ve created a fabric that weighs just 260 g/m², is tear- and abrasion-resistant, doesn’t let water in, and maintains minimal weight.

A material you can fully rely on – and one that’s so light it never becomes a burden during long, fast, or intense rides.

Conclusion: The perfect balance between lightness and durability

Thanks to our innovative LiteGrid-RN200T3 material, we’ve made the impossible possible: bikepacking bags that are ultra-light, tear-resistant, and 100% waterproof. Whether on long tours through rough terrain or fast rides on the road – you can always rely on CYCLITE bags. Because in the end, what matters is the freedom to travel without limitations and with full confidence in your gear.