Aerial Fabric & Cost: What You’re Really Paying For

If you’ve ever shopped for aerial silks before you’ve probably noticed the price can be surprisingly high. It’s tempting to wonder: Is this worth it? Can’t I get it cheaper?

The answer is no. Aerial fabric isn’t something you can pick up at your local craft store. It’s a highly specialized material designed to support human weight, absorb dynamic force, and withstand years of repeated use.

Used by circus professionals, dancers, fitness instructors, and hobbyists around the world, aerial fabric is both a performance tool and a safety-critical piece of equipment. And like any piece of gear you trust your body to, quality matters.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What aerial fabric actually is
• The differences between nylon and polyester fabric for aerial 
• How to decide on a stretch level 
• What makes a fabric “aerial-approved”
• Why aerial fabric costs more than your typical apparel fabric—and why it’s worth it

What Is Aerial Fabric?

Aerial fabric, commonly referred to as aerial silks, refers to both the material and the apparatus used in aerial arts. Despite the name, aerial silks are not made of silk, but rather high-strength synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester. Both fabric types have different properties, benefits, and limitations. The fabric can be rigged in various configurations, making it versatile for aerial dance, hammock setups, and aerial yoga depending on how it’s rigged. 

To be considered suitable for aerial use, fabric must be break tested and engineered to handle:

• Dynamic loading from drops 
• Friction from wraps and slides
• Long-term wear under stress and exposure
  

Whether you’re an artist, a coach, or a recreational student, understanding the construction and purpose of aerial fabric is the first step in making informed, safe choices for your training and rigging.

Types of Aerial Fabric 

Aerial fabric comes in different stretch profiles, each offering a distinct experience in the air. Aerial fabrics are made from nylon or polyester, and both the material and weave determine the fabric’s stretch, strength, and feel.

Low-Stretch vs. Medium and High-Stretch Aerial Fabric

• Low-stretch fabrics have very little “give,” making them more suitable for beginners and much easier to climb. Low stretch silks have less rebound during dynamic movements like drops, which can feel more jarring or abrupt than higher stretch options. Due to its tight weave, nylon is the best fabric for a low stretch option. This is the only fabric that should be used for aerial yoga as you want very minimal stretch when people invert from hip height. 
  
• Medium-stretch aerial fabric and high-stretch fabrics allow more bounce and movement, which many intermediate and advanced aerialists enjoy. The increased give creates a gentler deceleration during drops, reducing the impact on your body and your rigging system (though there is no data out there that quantifies this). Typically, medium and high stretch fabrics are polyester. 

Nylon vs. Polyester Aerial Fabric

• Nylon tricot is the gold standard for “studio use” aerial silks and aerial yoga. It’s known for its softness, durability, and strength. Compared to polyester, nylon typically has a higher breaking strength and a more grippy, skin-friendly texture, making it comfortable to work with. While nylon can have some give depending on the weave and length, most aerial-grade nylon fabrics offer low stretch, providing the stability that’s ideal for beginner to intermediate aerialists and aerial yoga practitioners.
• Polyester, on the other hand, tends to have more natural stretch and a slightly slicker feel. While it can still be made strong enough for aerial use, it often has a lower breaking strength than nylon. Intermediate and advanced artists enjoy polyester for the rebound it has at the end of big drops and dynamic skills as it is less jarring to the body.

What Makes Fabric “Aerial-Approved” 

When we say a fabric is “aerial-approved,” we mean it has been break-tested and we know the minimum breaking strength. This involves pulling the fabric under controlled conditions until it fails; that point is called the minimum breaking strength. From there, a design factor (also called a safety factor) is applied to determine a safe, usable limit.

At Aerial Fabric Acrobatics, we apply a 6:1 design factor. That means we divide the minimum breaking strength by six to calculate the Working Load Limit (WLL), the maximum load that can be safely applied to the fabric without risk of failure.

While there are currently no universal safety standards in the aerial industry for fabric strength or load limits, it’s essential to know your equipment has been properly tested. These results should be used in your personal or studio-wide risk assessments to enhance safety.

Why Does Aerial Fabric Cost So Much?

As you can imagine, manufacturing something with as strict needs as aerial fabric also comes with additional costs. In this section, we will go over what those additional costs go towards.

Material Quality

It all starts with high-quality material. Producing long, uniform nylon fibers is difficult and requires advanced equipment. Aerialists often train with 20–30 feet (or higher!) of fabric, and since silks are rigged in double lengths with extra tail, that can mean over 60 feet (20+ meters) of material per silk. And it must be consistent across the entire length: no weak spots, no inconsistencies, and a uniform tricot weave.

Safety Testing 

Beyond material quality, rigorous safety testing is essential. Even small manufacturing changes can affect strength. Fabrics for apparel don’t require this level of inspection, making aerial fabric inherently more expensive to produce. 

Dye Process, Finish, and Feel

Color saturation, texture, and feel matter in both performance and practice, especially when grip and visibility are important.

U.S. vs Overseas Manufacturing Differences

The fabric at Aerial Fabric Acrobatics is sourced from U.S.-based suppliers and international textile mills with specific features and testing protocols. We prioritize ethical labor practices and tested certifications over unverified bulk options, which would make the fabric cheaper.

The Risks of Cheap Aerial Fabric

You get what you pay for. This is just as true for aerial fabric as for other things. 

Remember, you are trusting your life, and as a studio owner, other people’s safety, to your fabric. Just like you wouldn’t want to use a cheap parachute that might break, you don’t want to use cheap fabric.

As for why? Cheaper fabric may seem strong at first, but it degrades faster under stress. Without proper treatment or consistent weaving, the material can fray, stretch unevenly, or become dangerously unpredictable, especially under friction or repeated loading, which is common in aerial dance.

What You’re Really Investing In

Longevity: Quality fabric, when cared for, can last for years of regular use; saving you money in the long run. Especially vital for teachers and performers, your fabric needs to withstand repeated high-impact use.

Consistency: A uniform weave ensures reliable grip, stretch, and feel. Every time for every piece.

Peace of Mind: When your gear is solid, you can focus on nailing that new drop, not wondering if your fabric will hold.

Final Thoughts: The True Value of Aerial Fabric

Aerial is a journey, not a one-time activity. With every climb, drop, and twist, you’re building strength, confidence, and artistry. Investing in quality fabric ensures you can train safely and express yourself fully.

Follow our blog for monthly updates or review our past entries to stay in the loop for how to do new tricks, how to manage rigging, how to warm up safely, and many more topics.