Recommendations for sewing needles
Find the perfect needle and thread combination for your sewing project! Our clear table will help you choose and provides practical tips for waterproof results. Try out different combinations for optimal results!

Help choosing the right needle and thread thickness! This table is intended to help you choose the right needle and thread thickness for the materials available from extremtextil. The information is only a guide; it always depends on the requirements the seam must meet (as robust as possible or as inconspicuous as possible?), so the following still applies: test, test, test!
For coated materials (or uncoated materials such as EtaProof) that are to be made waterproof, it is advisable to choose the smallest possible needle for the thread. This will keep the holes through which water could penetrate as small as possible.
Further information on sewing needles and sewing threads can also be found in the article and category descriptions, as well as in the Lexicon. We will be happy to answer any further questions by email.
Material | Thread Strength (nm, metric number) | Thread Type | Needle Size | Needle Type for Coated | Needle Type for Uncoated |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
330 Cordura X-Pac VX03 X-Pac VX07 X-Pac LiteSkin LS07 Dyneema/Nylon Gridstop, 160g/sqm | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | Jeans/Microtex | Jeans/Microtex/Universal |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | Jeans/Microtex | Jeans/Microtex/Universal | |
500 Cordura X-Pac VX21 X-Pac LiteSkin L42 | 60 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/110 | Jeans/Microtex | Jeans/Microtex/Universal |
80 | Polyester | 90/110 | Jeans/Microtex | Jeans/Microtex/Universal | |
1000 Cordura Ballistic–Nylon X-Pac VX42 X-Pac X10 X-Pac X51 500den Cordura, TPU-coated | 50/60 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/110 | Jeans/Microtex | Jeans/Microtex/Universal |
80 | Polyester | 90/120 | Jeans/Microtex | Jeans/Microtex/Universal | |
PVC-Tarp Nylon, TPU-coated 650g/sqm | 35/40 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 100-140 | Jeans | -- |
420den Nylon 210den Nylon | 75/80 | Polyester or Corespun | 90/120 | Jeans | -- |
Airtex, 190g/sqm | 75/80 | Polyester or Corespun | 90/120 | Jeans/Microtex | -- |
Airtex, 260g/sqm | 50/60 | Polyester or Corespun | 90/110 | Jeans/Microtex | -- |
75/80 | Polyester or Corespun | 90/120 | Jeans/Microtex | -- | |
Dyneema Gridstop, 160g/sqm | 60 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/110 | Jeans/Microtex | -- |
80 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/120 | Jeans/Microtex | -- | |
Tent Floor | 80 | Polyester or Corespun | 90/120 | Jeans | -- |
100 | Polyester or Corespun | 70/90 | Jeans/Microtex | -- | |
Silnylon | 50 | Polyester or Corespun | 100/130 | Microtex | -- |
75 | Polyester or Corespun | 90/100 | Microtex | -- | |
100 | Polyester or Corespun | 70/90 | Microtex | -- | |
Lightweight, coated fabrics up to 100g | 80 | Polyester | 80/90 | Microtex | -- |
100 | Polyester | 90/100 | Microtex | -- | |
Kevlar | 50/60 | Kevlar/Aramid–Thread or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/110 | Jeans | Jeans |
Tencate | 75 | Corespun | 90/100 | -- | Jeans/Universal |
3D-Meshes | 60 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/110 | -- | Universal |
80 | Polyester or Nylbond–Nylon Thread | 90/120 | -- | Universal | |
Tyvek | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Universal/Microtex |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Universal/Microtex | |
Waterproof, breathable laminates and coatings | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | Microtex | -- |
Softshell with membrane | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | Universal/Microtex | -- |
Softshell without membrane | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Jersey |
Fleece | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Universal/Jersey |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Universal/Jersey | |
P-Stretch | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Stretch |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Stretch | |
EtaProof 170-240g/sqm | 75 | Corespun | 90/100 | -- | Jersey |
Lightweight, uncoated fabrics up to 80g/sqm / down-proof taffetas | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Microtex |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Microtex | |
Merino and functional shirt jerseys | 100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Stretch |
120 | Polyester | 70/80 | -- | Stretch | |
Stretch-Polyamide, Cordura-Stretch, uncoated | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Jersey |
Supplex-Nylon PES/Cotton-Blend Uncoated, non-elastic fabrics (100-200g/sqm) | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Universal |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Universal | |
Mosquito net | 80 | Polyester | 90/120 | -- | Universal |
100 | Polyester | 80/90 | -- | Universal |