What is Denier?
What is denier?
The strength of a horse rug is determined by its “denier”, which refers to the outer shell of a turnout blanket. Denier is the thickness of the individual thread used in the yarn weave of the blanket. At WeatherBeeta, we have blankets in a variety of denier, to match the needs of every horse.
When choosing a turnout blanket, the most common types of deniers you will see are: 600D (medium), 1200D (heavy) or 1680D (very heavy.) The higher the denier number, the thicker the weave, and the stronger the material in general.
Here’s a quick guide to the different types of denier you will see on the WeatherBeeta website:
1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon: Our strongest blanket on the market. Made from super strong nylon with added Teflon® coating woven in a tight ballistic basket weave for the ultimate strength.
1200 Denier Triple Weave: Three dimensioned weave interlocks to offer extra strength and durability. Suitable for the horses that need medium durability in their blankets.
Green-Tec 900 Denier: Waterproof and breathable plain weave made from over 240 plastic bottles. Our most environmentally friendly blankets.
600 Denier: Yarns are woven in a crosshatch pattern to add strength to the fabric and stop the spreading of tears. A better suited blanket for the sensible horses who are gentler on their blankets.
Which Denier should I choose for my horse?
There are a few factors when considering which blanket to choose. Consider your budget, your horse’s nature, and his natural environment.
What is your horse’s behaviour in the field? If your horse is calm and relaxed when turned out, a 600 denier will be perfectly suitable. If your horse likes to destroy or attempt to escape the blanket, a minimum of a 1200 denier blanket is sure to save you money in the long run. At Weatherbeeta we refer to these two horse types as either a “Blanket Wrecker” or a “Blanket Houdini” – and we’ve all known at least one of those in our time.
How long does your horse have in the field each day?
If your horse has limited turnout each day for a simple leg stretch, then it’s likely that a 600 denier blanket would be perfectly suitable. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Classic Standard Neck offers a warm polyfill of 220g, a 600 ripstop denier outer which is waterproof and breathable, and reflective strips for extra visibility on the darker evenings.
Shop the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Classic Standard Neck here
For horses that live in the field 24/7 or that are turned out for longer periods during the colder months, a higher denier blanket is a MUST to ensure durability. You may also wish to consider a blanket with a detachable neck, for versatility.
The WeatherBeeta Ultra Cozi II offers maximum protection against the elements, with a 1680 denier outer, detachable neck cover, and 360g fill to keep your horse warm in the winter months.
Shop the WeatherBeeta Ultra Cozi II here
For many, a 1200 denier blanket is the perfect choice, offering a great level of durability and affordability. The WeatherBeeta Premier Free II detach-a-neck has a robust 1200 denier outer and a warm 200g fill. What’s more, the Premier Free II is also compatible with the WeatherBeeta Liner system, so that you can adjust the thickness of your blanket for the ultimate versatility.
