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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.

MIL-PRF-17337

Also known as MIL-17337, MIL-W-17337, or simply 17337 webbing.

Main Differences

17337 is a nylon webbing made from flat filament yarns. The construction in 17337 never changes based on the type — the “type” only tells you the width.

The official 17337 specification is only offered in 1”, 1.5”, 2”, 3”, and 3.5” widths. Other sizes are available (such as 3/8”, ½”, ¾”, and 1-23/32”), but these technically fall outside of the military specification.

Specification Chart

Width

Specs

Class

Tensile (lbs)

3/4″

MIL-17337 CL-2

2

900

1″

MIL-PRF-17337G CLASS-2

2

1200

1-1/2″

MIL-PRF-17337G CLASS-3

2

1800

2″

MIL-PRF-17337G CLASS-4

2

2200

3″

MIL-PRF-17337G CLASS-5

2

3200

3-1/2″

MIL-PRF-17337G CLASS-6

2

4000

MIL-PRF-17337G replaced MIL-W-17337F, but most people still search for MIL-W-17337 or 17337 webbing.

Construction Details

  • Uses only flat nylon yarns.
  • Does not require twisted or plied yarns (unlike MIL-W-4088 webbing).
  • Does not call for textured yarns (unlike A-A-55301).
  • Woven as a single plain weave using:
    • 840 denier warp threads (lengthwise).
    • 420 denier fill/weft threads (crosswise).

Because it is a single-layer weave, 17337 webbing is pliable, lightweight, and flexible compared to A-A-55301, which uses heavier yarns and a double weave.

Typical Uses: Backpacks, slings, bags, duffle bags, athletic gear, and reinforcing the edges of belts.

A-A-55301 Webbing

Also a nylon webbing but constructed differently from 17337.

Construction

A-A-55301 uses either a combination of textured yarns and flat yarns or only textured yarns, depending on the type. Each type specifies a different width.

Specification Chart

 

Specs

Type

Width

Tensile (lbs)

A-A-55301A TYPE 1 STANDARD

1

2-1/4″

A-A-55301A TYPE 1 ALTERNATIVE

1 ALT

2-1/4″

A-A-55301A TYPE 2

2

1-1/4″

2000

A-A-55301A TYPE 3 ALTERNATIVE

3 ALT

1″

1000

A-A-55301A TYPE 3 STANDARD

3

1″

A-A-55301A TYPE 4

4

3/4″

875

A-A-55301A TYPE 5

5

5/8″

62

A-A-55301A TYPE 6

6

1-1/2″

1500

A-A-55301A replaced MIL-W-43668C, and most people refer to this spec simply as 55301 webbing.

Standard vs. Alternative Construction within A-A-55301 Nylon Webbing

  • Standard construction: Requires 100% bulk® (textured nylon), often Cordura yarn.
  • Alternative construction: Made from a mix of flat filament and bulk textured® yarns. The warp is flat filament; the fill uses Cordura®.

Weave

  • All A-A-55301 constructions are double plain weaves, meaning 2 layers of a single plain weave conjoined by a binder warp thread, connecting both layers.
  • Woven with:
    • 1000 denier textured warp threads. (Lengthwise)
    • 500 denier textured fill/weft threads. (Crosswise)
  • Because it’s a double weave, A-A-55301 is thicker, less pliable, and heavier than 17337, though still flexible.

 In Summary:

  • 17337 → Flat yarns, single weave, lighter, and very flexible.
  • A-A-55301 → Textured yarns (or mixed), double weave, thicker, stronger, and less pliable.