What shell fabrics and linings can you offer for jackets?

Direct Answer: Shell is the outer face fabric — we offer denim, duck canvas, nylon, polyester and wool blends. Lining is the inner fabric, most commonly 190T–230T polyester taffeta because it is smooth, durable and lets the jacket slide on and off. Insulation is chosen separately by jacket type, from mesh for windbreakers to down or synthetic fill for puffers.

Shell Options and What Each Is For

• Denim — the backbone of trucker and denim jacket programs. 12–13.5 oz is the most versatile weight; 10–11 oz reads sharper but gives up durability.
• Duck canvas — around 12 oz for work jackets. A 12 oz canvas work jacket feels structured and rugged from the first wear, which is exactly the point of the category.
• Nylon and polyester — woven shells for windbreakers, coaches, puffers and rain jackets. Smooth taffeta, ripstop and 20D–50D nylon are the common starting points for puffers.
• Wool blends — for varsity and letterman bodies. The classic formula is a 24oz melton wool body with genuine or faux leather sleeves; cotton twill is the lower-cost alternative.

Linings: Shell vs Lining Explained

• 190T–230T polyester taffeta — the default lining. Smooth, durable, low friction, easy to print or brand. If you only specify one lining, specify this.
• Mesh lining — lighter and more breathable, used on windbreakers and warm-weather shells where airflow matters more than warmth.
• Quilted taffeta — used with insulation in puffers and cold-weather pieces so the fill does not migrate.
• Why it matters: shell and lining fail differently. Shells fail on abrasion, colourfastness and water resistance; linings fail on seam strength, slippage and pilling at the collar. Both should be tested as a set.

Insulation: Down vs Synthetic

• Down fill — rated by fill power, typically 650fp to 800+fp. The best warmth-to-weight ratio, and the premium story for cold-weather outerwear. Requires more careful sourcing and a higher price position.
• Synthetic fill — PrimaLoft, 3M Thinsulate or standard polyester fiberfill. More affordable, and it performs better than down when wet, which matters for everyday and active use.
• Selection rule: choose down when warmth-to-weight and perceived premium are the selling points; choose synthetic when cost, washability and wet-weather behaviour are the priorities.

Trims and Finishing

Ribs, zippers, snaps, cords, woven labels and hangtags are specified as a matched set, along with export-ready carton marks so the shipment can move through your warehouse without re-labelling. We can match Pantone colours and source materials with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification when your brand or retailer requires documented fabric safety.

MOQ, Cost and Timeline

• MOQ: 100 pieces per color per style.
• Indicative FOB: jackets and outerwear commonly fall in the USD 15–60+ range; bomber and rain shells sit lower in that band, puffer and varsity constructions higher.
• Sampling: 7–10 days for bomber, varsity and windbreaker shells; 10–15 days for puffer and rain jacket samples.
• Bulk production: 25–35 days after pre-production approval, plus 15–30 days sea freight to the US or Europe.

Why VANRD: VANRD manufactures custom jackets in Dongguan, China, running shell sourcing, lining and insulation selection, pattern development, sampling and bulk production under one roof. Because shell and lining are specified together, colours stay matched between the outer face and the inner surface — a problem that only shows up after washing when the two are sourced separately.

Quick reference
Shells: denim · duck canvas (12 oz) · nylon · polyester · wool blend (24oz melton for varsity) · Linings: 190T–230T polyester taffeta · mesh · quilted taffeta · Insulation: down 650–800+fp · PrimaLoft / Thinsulate / polyester fiberfill · MOQ 100 pcs per color per style

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