“Ripstop nylon (which was developed as an inexpensive synthetic replacement for silk in the production of parachutes during World War II) is a light-weight nylon fabric with interwoven ripstop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch pattern. The material comes in many different colors and sizes, including thickness. It is woven with coarse, strong warp and filling yarns at intervals so that tears will not spread.
Ripstop nylon may be waterproof, water resistant, fire resistant, or have zero porosity (will not allow air or water through), and comes in light, medium and heavy weights. Textures range from a soft and silk-like material to a crisp or stiff fabric that sounds like a paper bag when moved.” Via Wikipedia. If you check out the recent retro of the Nike Air Pegasus 92, rip-stop nylon was used.
