17337 vs. A-A-55301 Webbing: Breaking Down the Difference
Not all military-spec webbing is built the same. Two of the most common specs people run into are 17337 and A-A-55301. Both are nylon webbings, but they’re made differently and used for slightly different purposes.
17337 Webbing
- Also Known As: MIL-PRF-17337, MIL-W-17337, or just 17337.
- Construction: Made only from flat nylon yarns. The construction never changes — the “type” just refers to the width.
- Weave: A single plain weave, using 840 denier warp yarns and 420 denier fill yarns. Because it’s a single layer, it’s very pliable, light, and flexible.
- Widths: Officially comes in 1”, 1.5”, 2”, 3”, and 3.5”. Other sizes exist but technically fall outside the spec.
- Strengths:
- 1″ → 1,200 lbs
- 1.5″ → 1,800 lbs
- 2″ → 2,200 lbs
- 3″ → 3,200 lbs
- 3.5″ → 4,000 lbs
- Typical Uses: Backpacks, slings, duffel bags, belts, and athletic gear.
A-A-55301 Webbing
- Also Known As: 55301 webbing (replaced MIL-W-43668C).
- Construction: Made from textured nylon yarns (sometimes called Cordura). Depending on the type, it’s either 100% textured yarn or a mix of flat and textured yarns.
- Standard construction = 100% textured yarn.
- Alternative construction = flat yarns in the warp, textured yarns in the fill.
- Weave: A double plain weave, which means two layers of yarn are woven together. This makes it thicker, heavier, and less pliable than 17337.
- Widths & Strengths: Each type has its own width and tensile rating. For example:
- Type II → 1.25″ wide, 2,000 lbs
- Type IV → 0.75″ wide, 875 lbs
- Type VI → 1.5″ wide, 1,500 lbs
Quick Comparison
Feature | 17337 | A-A-55301 |
Yarn | Flat nylon only | Textured nylon (or mix of textured + flat) |
Weave | Single plain weave | Double plain weave |
Feel | Soft, flexible, lightweight | Thicker, stiffer, more rugged |
Best For | Bags, straps, reinforcement | Heavy-duty gear, abrasion resistance |
In short: 17337 is lighter and more flexible, while A-A-55301 is thicker and tougher. The choice depends on whether you need pliability or extra durability.
