With so many different fabric options out there (no stretch, low stretch, medium, high, super high, Nylon, Tricot, Parachute, Mechano etc!), it’s a good idea to research your options and find what you prefer. Everyone has their own personal preference. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Denier: Refers to the density and weight of the strands of the fabric. For example, 40 denier is lighter than 80 denier. This doesn’t necessarily relate to the load rating of fabric, just the weight and thickness.
Stretch: Refers to the stretch with weight bearing at the base of the silks. The higher you are in the air, the less you will stretch up there. However the higher the silks, the more you will stretch when at the base.
________________
No Stretch Fabric is not necessarily ‘no’ stretch – all fabric will have a slight give. It simply mean No Stretch Fabric will have minimal stretch when bearing weight. This type of fabric is great for absolute beginners, however as soon as you can climb, it is harsher wrapped around the body. Some people prefer the security of minimal stretch as they feel safer.
Low – Medium Stretch offers a balanced option for aerialists. While it can be challenging for beginners in the initial weeks due to the slight stretch, which requires extra strength to climb consistently, it quickly becomes manageable. We recommend it for all aerialists, as it provides enough flexibility for comfortable, controlled drops with a mild bounce that softens the impact. The stretch allows for smoother wraps and tricks, with an approximate 8-12 cm stretch per meter, though this can vary based on weight and tension. For example, a 1 meter section will stretch around 12 cm at the base under body weight, and a 6-meter silk may stretch roughly 60 cm under similar conditions. Extra pressure during drops, will naturally increase the stretch. This is the preferred fabric at Aerials Australia, widely chosen by both beginners and professionals alike and is commonly used in studios around the world.
High and Super High Stretch is very stretchy. You will need to pull down multiple times to find your place on it, but it can be plenty of fun and feels completely different. It is not recommended for beginners. The stretch per metre on this is very variable from brand to brand.
Aerials Australia fabric is a low- medium 40 Denier Tricot, rated at a 900kgs load. 40 Denier is a light, airy, yet super strong fabric and is a perfect middle ground for all aerial arts. It has a perfect hand hold, and has enough length stretch to be comfortable, but not so much that it is difficult. Width only comes into play in hammock, when you’re cocooned and the width is spread out.
Some tips:
Not all stretch will be exactly the same for each brand, type of fabric, or manufactured roll. Allow slight variance before committing to ensure you purchase the right stretch for you.
Stretch can vary based on how you attach your hardware to your fabric. Ensure your fabric is square against your figure 8 or carabiner.
When first attaching any fabric to your hardware, allow it a little higher than you expect. Fabric takes a little to settle into the hardware after load has been applied via body weight.
As always, please give us a call or email if there’s anything we can help with, we’d love to help you get up on your silks right away!
Here is a great video from Aerial Dancing on stretch:
