ALUULA® Graphlyte - Next Gen Fabric

For decades, outdoor equipment has been built around the idea of ultralight, and more times than not, this has meant compromise. Lighter fabrics usually meant sacrificing durability. Waterproof materials often came with added weight, lighter fabrics usually means a loss of durability. So when it came to our GONE FISHING collection, we needed a solution.

ALUULA® Graphlyte challenges that equation. 

Developed through a new method of fusing ALUULA Core™ directly to a waterproof V-film, without the use of glue, Graphlyte is a new generation of composite fabric that is remarkably light, exceptionally strong, and completely waterproof.

Strength without the weight

Graphlyte delivers a strength-to-weight ratio around eight times greater than steel, while retaining the soft, flexible hand feel of woven nylon.

That combination allowed uss to reduce material weight without compromising performance, creating a capsule of product that move more naturally and last considerably longer.

For us, it opens the door to equipment that feels almost weightless in use, without ever feeling delicate.

Waterproof. Airtight. Ready for anything.

Unlike many lightweight textiles, Graphlyte is completely non-air-permeable. The result is a fabric that is both waterproof and airtight, making it equally suited to technical backpacks, expedition equipment and products designed for the harshest environments. Or in our case, simply fishing.

A smarter way to build

Perhaps the most important innovation is invisible.

By eliminating adhesives, ALUULA’s V-film bonds directly to the core material at a lower melt temperature. That allows seams to be welded faster, more consistently and with greater precision than traditional laminated fabrics.

Less glue means less unnecessary weight, cleaner construction and a manufacturing process that is both more efficient and more durable over time.

Why we chose Graphlyte

At Purple Mountain Observatory, we’re constantly looking for materials that genuinely move outdoor design forward rather than simply adding another technical specification.

Graphlyte does exactly that. It’s lighter without feeling fragile, waterproof without unnecessary bulk, and durable enough to withstand years of use across both natural and urban environments.

You can explore the fabric used in our new Db collaboration. Just click here.