--- title: "Recycled Polyester Shell (rPET) | Fabric Guide" description: "A woven shell fabric made from recycled polyester, usually from plastic bottles, in a pongee, twill or ripstop weave. It is coated or laminated like any…" url: https://mrbalaclava.com/materials/fabric/recycled-polyester-shell/ language: en-US updated: 2026-10-09T22:10:19+00:00 alternates: fr: https://mrbalaclava.com/fr/materials/fabric/tissu-exterieur-polyester-recycle.md de: https://mrbalaclava.com/de/materials/fabric/oberstoff-recyceltes-polyester.md es: https://mrbalaclava.com/es/materials/fabric/tejido-exterior-poliester-reciclado.md publisher: Mr Balaclava (https://mrbalaclava.com/) --- Fabric · Polyester · Recycled polyester (RPET) # Recycled Polyester Shell (rPET) A woven shell fabric made from recycled polyester, usually from plastic bottles, in a pongee, twill or ripstop weave. It is coated or laminated like any polyester shell; the recycled share and any certificate come from the mill for the order. Reference specification [Get a quote in this fabric](https://mrbalaclava.com/contact-us/) [All shell & waterproof fabrics](https://mrbalaclava.com/materials/shell-fabrics/) Updated 9 October 2026 ![Recycled Polyester Shell (rPET): close-up of forest-green recycled polyester shell with a fine twill weave](https://mrbalaclava.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/recycled-polyester-shell-forest-green-close-up-1024x683.webp) *Similar fabric texture. The real fabric can look slightly different; the overall look and feel are the same.* - [![Recycled Polyester Shell (rPET): forest-green recycled polyester shell swatch with the reverse at a folded corner](https://mrbalaclava.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/recycled-polyester-shell-forest-green-swatch-300x200.webp) Folded swatch: face, reverse side and edge.](https://mrbalaclava.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/recycled-polyester-shell-forest-green-swatch-1024x683.webp) - **50 pcs** Minimum order - **14 days** Standard lead time - **OEKO-TEX®** Fabrics from certified mills - **ISO 9001** Certified (Eco Jersey Limited) - **Sedex** Member (Eco Jersey Limited) Specification ## What is typical, and what we confirm for your order ### Typical for this fabric type **Construction** Woven **Knit** Woven (pongee, twill or ripstop) **Usual composition** Recycled polyester (rPET), sometimes blended with new polyester. **Weight class** Lightweight **Feel** Smooth and light, like a standard polyester shell **Common finishes** Water-repellent **Season** Winter **Warmth** Low **Breathability** Moderate **Stretch** Low **Moisture management** Low **Quick drying** Very high **Softness** Moderate **Durability** High **Wind resistance** Very high **Water resistance** High General textile guidance, not a lab measurement of our fabric. ### Mr Balaclava specification Exact composition, weight (GSM), colours and sampling for this fabric are confirmed with your quote. - Recycled version: ask with your quote **Decoration suitability** - Embroidery Suitable - Screen printing Suitable - Sublimation printing Test first - Heat transfer Suitable - Woven label Suitable - Printed label Suitable - Silicone patch Suitable - Rubber (PVC) patch Suitable - Leather-style patch Test first On coated or laminated shells, embroidery pierces the waterproof layer: it goes where the lining covers it, or the logo is heat-transferred or applied as a patch. Industry guidance for this fabric type. We confirm the method on a sample before production. [Get a quote in this fabric](https://mrbalaclava.com/contact-us/) Where it is used ## Products made in this fabric Can also be made with this fabric The photos show these products in another material. We make them with this fabric to order. Browse the collection - [Custom Ski Wear](https://mrbalaclava.com/product-category/ski-wear/) - [Ski Jackets](https://mrbalaclava.com/product-category/ski-wear/ski-jackets/) - [Ski Pants & Suits](https://mrbalaclava.com/product-category/ski-wear/ski-pants-suits/) Product guides - [Custom ski wear](https://mrbalaclava.com/ski-wear/) Compare ## Similar fabrics - ![Polyester Pongee Shell: close-up of royal-blue polyester pongee with a fine dense plain weave](https://mrbalaclava.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/polyester-pongee-shell-royal-blue-close-up-768x512.webp) ### [Polyester Pongee Shell](https://mrbalaclava.com/materials/fabric/polyester-pongee-shell/) A smooth, tightly woven polyester plain weave and one of the most common outer fabrics for ski jackets,… - ![Ripstop Shell Fabric: close-up of bright-orange ripstop with a small square reinforcing grid](https://mrbalaclava.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ripstop-shell-bright-orange-close-up-768x512.webp) ### [Ripstop Shell Fabric](https://mrbalaclava.com/materials/fabric/ripstop-shell/) A woven fabric with thicker yarns set into a small grid, so a small tear usually stops at… - ![Recycled Polyester Knit (RPET): close-up of slate-blue recycled polyester jersey with fine knitted stitches](https://mrbalaclava.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/recycled-polyester-knit-slate-blue-close-up-768x512.webp) ### [Recycled Polyester Knit (RPET)](https://mrbalaclava.com/materials/fabric/recycled-polyester-knit/) Polyester knitted from recycled feedstock, usually post-consumer PET bottles. It generally performs much like virgin polyester: quick-drying, durable…