Polyethylene vs Nylon Parachute: Recovery Compared
Polyethylene and nylon are the two most common parachute materials for model rockets, and they behave very differently in the air and on the ground.
Polyethylene is lighter and packs smaller, which matters for small rockets where every gram counts. Nylon is stronger and lasts longer, but it weighs more and takes up more space in the body tube. The right choice depends on your rocket size, motor power, and how many flights you expect.
Quick Comparison
| Property | Polyethylene | Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very light | Medium |
| Pack volume | Very small | Medium |
| Strength | Low | High |
| Durability | Poor (5-10 flights) | Good (20-30 flights) |
| Air resistance | Lower | Higher |
| Cost | Very low | Moderate |
Polyethylene: The Ultralight Option
Polyethylene parachutes are made from thin plastic film, similar to emergency blanket material. They’re the lightest option available.
Advantages
Extremely Lightweight
Polyethylene is the lightest parachute material. A 12″ polyethylene parachute weighs about 0.2 ounces. For altitude competition or maximum performance on small motors, that weight savings matters.
Very Small Pack Volume
Polyethylene packs down tiny. A 12″ parachute fits in a BT-5 body tube. This makes it ideal for very small rockets where space is limited.
Inexpensive
Polyethylene parachutes cost $2-4 each. You can also make your own from emergency blankets for under $1 each.
Disadvantages
Low Durability
Polyethylene tears easily. After 5-10 flights, you’ll likely see tears or holes. Hard landings can destroy it in one flight.
Hard to Repair
Once torn, polyethylene is difficult to patch. Tape doesn’t stick well, and the patches add weight.
Lower Air Resistance
Polyethylene has lower air resistance than nylon, which means faster descent rates. You need a larger parachute to get the same descent rate as nylon.
Best Use Cases
- Small rockets (A-C motors, under 4 oz)
- Altitude competition (minimum weight matters)
- Very small body tubes (BT-5, BT-50)
- Disposable rockets (you don’t expect many flights)
Nylon: The Standard Choice
Nylon parachutes are made from ripstop or calendered nylon fabric. They’re the most common choice for sport rockets.
Advantages
High Strength
Nylon is much stronger than polyethylene. It resists tearing and can handle hard deployments and rough landings.
Excellent Durability
Nylon parachutes last 20-30 flights. They resist UV degradation and can be repaired if torn.
Higher Air Resistance
Nylon has higher air resistance than polyethylene, which means slower descent rates. You can use a smaller parachute for the same descent rate.
Repairable
Nylon can be patched with fabric glue or sewing. Repairs are strong and don’t add much weight.
Disadvantages
Heavier
Nylon weighs more than polyethylene. A 12″ nylon parachute weighs about 0.5 ounces vs 0.2 ounces for polyethylene.
Larger Pack Volume
Nylon doesn’t pack as small as polyethylene. A 12″ nylon parachute needs a BT-50 or larger body tube.
More Expensive
Nylon parachutes cost $5-8 each, vs $2-4 for polyethylene.
Best Use Cases
- Medium rockets (D-F motors, 4-16 oz)
- Sport flying (good balance of properties)
- Reusable rockets (you want 20+ flights)
- Larger body tubes (BT-50 and up)
Head-to-Head Comparison
Weight
Winner: Polyethylene
Polyethylene is dramatically lighter. For a 12″ parachute:
- Polyethylene: 0.2 ounces
- Nylon: 0.5 ounces
- Difference: 0.3 ounces
That 0.3-ounce difference can mean 30-50 feet of altitude on a C motor.
Durability
Winner: Nylon
Nylon lasts 20-30 flights. Polyethylene lasts 5-10 flights. If you want a parachute that lasts, nylon is the answer.
Pack Volume
Winner: Polyethylene
Polyethylene packs much smaller. For small rockets where space is limited, polyethylene is the only option.
Descent Rate
Winner: Nylon
Nylon has higher air resistance, which means slower descent. You can use a smaller nylon parachute to get the same descent rate as a larger polyethylene parachute.
Cost
Winner: Polyethylene
Polyethylene costs 50-75% less than nylon. For a beginner building multiple rockets, the cost difference adds up.
Cost Analysis
Polyethylene parachutes cost $3 each but last 7 flights ($0.43/flight).
Nylon parachutes cost $6 each but last 25 flights ($0.24/flight).
Nylon is 44% cheaper per flight despite higher upfront cost.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Polyethylene If:
- You’re building a small rocket (under 4 oz)
- You’re using A-C motors
- Weight is critical (competition)
- Budget is tight
- You have a very small body tube
Choose Nylon If:
- You’re building a medium rocket (4-16 oz)
- You’re using D-F motors
- You want a reusable parachute
- You want slower descent rates
- You don’t mind spending more upfront
Conclusion
Polyethylene and nylon serve different purposes. Polyethylene is the ultralight choice for small rockets and competition. Nylon is the durable choice for sport flying and reusable rockets.
For your first few builds, start with polyethylene. It’s cheap and works well for small rockets. Once you move to larger rockets or want a parachute that lasts, upgrade to nylon.
The cost per flight actually favors nylon despite the higher upfront cost. If you’re tired of replacing torn polyethylene parachutes, nylon will save you money in the long run.
Related Guides
Resources
Pillar: This article is part of the Recovery Systems topic hub. See all articles in this section for related comparisons and guides.
