Sunbrella vs. Cordura: Choosing the Best Fabric for Your Horse Show Accessories

April 17, 2025

When it comes to designing custom horse show accessories like stall drapes, banners and tack trunk covers, one of the design choices you’ll have to make is whether you’d like for your gear to be made out of either Cordura or Sunbrella fabric.

While both of these performance fabrics are designed to offer benefits ranging from durability to resistance to fading, there are some notable differences between the two.

Overview of Cordura and Sunbrella Materials 

While Cordura and Sunbrella are usually available in the same colors, the material composition is different for each type. Cordura is constructed out of various blends of high-tenacity nylon. While it was originally developed for military applications and used in tactical gear, this fabric is now a popular choice for creating custom horse products due to its durability and strength. 

Meanwhile, Sunbrella is made from a solution-dyed acrylic. Because of the way this fabric is designed, it is able to effectively withstand excessive sun exposure. Even when this material is left outdoors in direct sunlight at your barn or show venue, you can experience peace of mind knowing it won’t fade and start to look dingy over time.

What Are Some of the Differences Between Cordura and Sunbrella?

Whether you’re thinking of designing a stall guard or tack trunk cover, here are a few differences to keep in mind when deciding between Cordura or Sunbrella fabric:

• Durability and strength: While both fabrics are designed for outdoor use, Cordura tends to be more lightweight and flexible. Sunbrella is a more durable, stiff material, which helps it withstand long-term outdoor use.
• Cost: One of the most notable differences between Cordura and Sunbrella is the cost. Cordura is a more cost-effective option, making it perfect for riders who are trying to stick to a budget. While Sunbrella is more costly, it offers more features and is designed to be longer-lasting, making it a great investment. 
• Weather resistance: Both materials can be used outdoors. While Cordura can withstand daily wear and tear, it can start to fade over time due to long-term UV exposure. Because Sunbrella offers excellent UV resistance, you won’t have to worry about it fading - even if it gets exposed to a lot of direct sunlight at your barn or on the showgrounds.
• Maintenance and cleaning: Cordura and Sunbrella are both easy to care for and keep clean. If your horse show accessories get dirty, they can be cleaned with gentle soap and water or you can reach out to a professional horse laundry service so they can handle it for you. Sunbrella is designed to be a bit more stain-resistant and mold/ mildew-resistant than Cordura, but both can stay looking good as new with the right maintenance and care.

Discover Custom Cordura or Sunbrella Horse Show Accessories 

At Wilsun Custom Horse Products, we offer a wide range of horse show accessories to help you showcase your barn and create a cohesive look when your riders are competing. No matter what discipline you ride, our custom products will make your barn and show team stand out.

All of our horse show accessories can be made out of either Cordura or Sunbrella material and then customized to your liking. With all kinds of fabric and binding colors to choose from and endless embroidery options, creating a one-of-a-kind show setup has never been easier.

Check out our options and give us a call at 770-558-1679 if you have any questions! 

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