Spandura is an amazing, high-tech fabric combining the toughness of
   CorduraŽ with the stretch of LycraŽ. Each yarn consists of Cordura
   fibers spun around a Lycra core. Because of this tricky blend, the
   resulting fabric feels soft, supple, and stretchy, with none of the
   stiffness or boardy feeling that you might expect from a fabric made
   of Cordura. The spinning and weaving process make Spandura an
   expensive raw material for us to use, but provides a level of abrasion
   resistance never before approached in a stretch fabric.
   
   We employ two different types of Spandura: 1000d Spandura is very
   light and stretchy compared to the fabric in normal wool or denim
   pants but is heavier and less stretchy than the very light Lycra
   fabric used in typical running shorts or tights; 160d Spandura is much
   closer to this latter type of Lycra fabric but provides greatly
   enhanced abrasion resistance. It would be sensible to use 160d
   Spandura in our three tights and in our Obsidian Shorts, and that's
   just what we do. The three pants models and Sandstone Shorts get the
   full-bore durability of 1000d Cordura.
   
   Unlike fabrics in other "techy" "stretch" clothing that's hit the
   outdoor market heavily in recent times, Spandura doesn't just stretch
   a few percent - it stretches a LOT: at least 50% for both types of
   Spandura. It's also very important to keep in mind that the Spandura
   we utilize stretches not just along one axis but in EVERY direction.
   
   Since the SpanduraŽ we use is completely uncoated, its vapor
   permeability is extremely high, yet the tight weave of its air-bulked
   yarns renders it highly wind resistant. SpanduraŽ has a wider comfort
   range than any other fabric we've seen. You have to try them out on a
   cold, blustery day to truly appreciate this virtue.
   
   All this adds up to pants and shorts that are comfortable and capable
   of outlasting any similar garment you may have used before.