INVISTA’s CORDURA® Fabric Chosen to Help Lighten the Load For Soldiers CamelBak® Tactical Hydration Packs Feature New Fabric Technology

Wichita, KS - October 8, 2009 - INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand and CamelBak® have joined forces to help soldiers on the frontline become lighter, faster and more efficient by upgrading a wide variety of CamelBak® brand tactical hydration pack systems with high-performance, weight-reduced 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric constructions.

Traditionally produced with 1000D fabrics, the CORDURA® brand team responded to the request for a lighter weight durable hydration system fabric with 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric.  Engineered to have a tighter weave and 35 percent weight reduction (per square yard), 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric maintains a similar strength-to-weight ratio as the previous version.  This innovative fabric solution provides infantry soldiers with a significantly lighter hydration system without sacrificing fabric performance.

“Today’s infantry soldier may carry up to 90 pounds of additional weight on their back. It’s important that they focus on the mission at hand – not what’s on their back,” said Hunter Shoop, CamelBak® Military Product Manager. By joining forces with the CORDURA® brand team, we were able to zero in on a fabric technology solution to continue providing infantry soldiers an essential hydration pack while removing the strain of additional weight.”

In addition to providing infantry soldiers with a lighter load carriage system, 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric continues to offer exceptional breaking strength, tear-resistance, dimensional stability and water resistance. These benefits, coupled with the fabric’s built-in near infrared reflectance (NIR) visibility protection for day- and night-time military operations make for a highly advanced tactical hydration system. As a result, 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric is also featured in Camelbak’s ArmorBak™ series packs which attach directly to outer tactical vests (IOTVs), modular tactical vests (MTVs) and outer tactical vests (OTVs).

“Improvements in military gear and equipment are critical to the war fighters’ success in maintaining an advantage in combat,” said Cindy McNaull, Global CORDURA® brand manager. “By continuously advancing CORDURA® fabric technology, INVISTA is honored to help our troops have the tools to become lighter, faster and more efficient as they protect us on the frontlines.”

The following 2009 CamelBak® tactical hydration packs feature the innovative 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric:

• BFM™ 500
• Motherlode™ 500
• H.A.W.G.® 500
• TriZipTM
• M.U.L.E.® 500
• ThermoBak® 3L
• AmbushTM AB 500
• ThermoBak®
• ArmorBakTM

The 2009 CamelBak® tactical hydration packs not only offer a lighter fabric constructions, but they also are designed to increase organization – internally and externally – for carrying essential elements needed on the field. Furthermore, the packs now feature external access fleece-lined pockets for glasses and night vision goggles (NVG), a lower drink-tube exit port for underarm tube routing plus side release buckles for quick release shoulder straps. All CamelBak® military hydration systems offer standard CamelBak® product features including the Big Bite™ Valve, HydroGuard™ technology that inhibits growth of bacteria on reservoir and tube surfaces and HydroLock™ for secure shut-off flow. 

500D CORDURA® Classic fabrics are available in solution dyed nylon (SDN) and military camouflage patterns to allow today’s warfighters maximum concealment in various environmental conditions: Army universal camo (AUC), Airforce Tiger Stripe, Multicam®, digital desert, coyote brown 498, and foliage green 504.

The 2009 CamelBak® tactical hydration packs are now available on GSA contract GS07F-9727H, at Exchanges and all usual CamelBak® Maximum® Gear distribution outlets.

About CORDURA® Brand

INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand essence celebrates individual durability: As Long As The World Is Full Of Durable People, We’ll Keep Making Durable Fabrics™. Known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs, CORDURA® fabric is a primary ingredient in many of the world’s leading high-performance gear and apparel products ranging from luggage, upholstery and backpacks to footwear, military equipment, tactical wear, workwear and performance apparel. The CORDURA® brand is a registered trademark of INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated polymer, intermediates and fibers businesses. To distinguish the CORDURA® brand, the word “CORDURA®” must be spelled out in all caps in and used with an ®, and it must be followed by the word “brand” or “fabric.”

To learn more about INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand, end-use products, and marketing tools please visit www.CORDURA.com. and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

About INVISTA

INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications, a business presence in over 20 countries, INVISTA’s global businesses deliver exceptional value for their customers through technology innovations, market insights and a powerful portfolio of global trademarks including: ADI-PURE®, ANTRON®, AVORA®, C12™, COMFOREL®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, CORFREE®, DACRON®, DBE®, DYTEK®, FRESHFX™, LYCRA®, PERFORMA™, POLARGUARD®, POLYSHIELD®, POLYCLEAR®, SOLARMAX®, STAINMASTER®, SUPPLEX®, SUPRIVA®, TACTEL®, TACTESSE®, TERATE®, TERATHANE® and THERMOLITE®. More information on INVISTA can be found at www.INVISTA.com.