Why does Dyneema always have lines?

[pretzelb]

As a long time owner of TB bags I have been interested in the ultra light weight options of the Dyneema bags but I could never get myself to like the colors. After a while I started to realize it wasn't the color so much but the stripes or lines you have with all the Dyneema. Is there a reason why they all have to have the grid pattern lines?

[ceb]

Yes. Those threads do not accept dye.

[lotuseater]

The Dyneema fibres are what give the fabric its tear strength. The grid pattern ensures that the nylon is reinforced in all directions. I have 210d Dyneema X grid backpacks from Mountain Laurel Designs and Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) that are proven to be durable enough to withstand the rigours of a ~6 month, 2000+ mile thru-hike (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail), carrying anywhere from 15-35lbs loads while managing to keep the pack weight very low. It's a fabric that is very well respected. But I do understand that the contrasting colours are not for everyone. As ceb mentions above, Dyneema fibres cannot be dyed, so unless you have an all-white pack (eg Kelty Cloud, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter - which use different fabrics BTW), Dyneema-reinforced nylon will always be two-tone.

[pretzelb]

All my time here and all the bags with Dyneema I own and I never knew those lines where threads. Shame on me.

[Lani]

Yes. Those threads do not accept dye.

They do, however, accept Sharpie markers. If you're watching a movie marathon on TV, you can prop your TB Dyneema item on a little lapdesk and carefully draw over the white lines. I have a steel Packing Cube Shoulder Bag that has a completely different look to it because I've shaded all the white lines with a black Sharpie. The lines don't look black; they just blend it with the steel color.

Your mileage may vary, but it's one DIY method.

[Darcy]

Your mileage may vary, but it's one DIY method.

Fine print announcement! It's worth noting that we don't really endorse this method: it will void the materials lifetime guarantee on the fabric. (If you do this to your bag and a buckle breaks by itself, we'll gladly replace the buckle, but if you decide the Sharpie method didn't turn out the way you had hoped or it actually damages the bag somehow, we won't be able to replace the bag.)

[ceb]

Fine print announcement! It's worth noting that we don't really endorse this method: it will void the materials lifetime guarantee on the fabric. (If you do this to your bag and a buckle breaks by itself, we'll gladly replace the buckle, but if you decide the Sharpie method didn't turn out the way you had hoped or it actually damages the bag somehow, we won't be able to replace the bag.)

The joys of customer service. You wouldn't have to make such a disclaimer if every customer had at least one functioning brain cell*.

Whatever happened to taking responsibility for something you did? If I decide to make a modification then I should be smart enough to realize that this is no longer the manufacturer's responsibility. Sorry for getting on my soapbox but I'm so glad I'm no longer in retail.

Lani - I'd really like to see a picture - please?



* the gray matter type braincell - not the TB Brain Cell