Smith + Rogue Fabric Guide

When you pick up a jacket, a pair of bibs, or even a T-shirt, most of us look at the fit first, then the color, and finally the price. Rarely do we stop and ask: what is this made of? Is this the best material for what I need?  

But the truth is, the fabric is what’s doing most of the work in a piece of clothing. It determines how long it lasts and how it feels.  

Smith + Rogue is a brand that puts a lot of thought into its fabrics, creating specialized blends that are unique to its clothing. Here’s a breakdown of the core materials you’ll see across their lineup. 

Original Canvas, or OC as you’ll sometimes see it abbreviated, is Smith + Rogue’s signature workwear fabric. It’s a 427-gram hemp-based canvas made from:  

• 54% hemp  

• 30% recycled polyester  

• 14% organic cotton  

• 2% spandex  

Hemp is the backbone that gives the Original Canvas series its strength. Compared to standard cotton canvas, hemp-based fabrics are three to four times as durable. The recycled polyester adds structure and helps the fabric keep its shape. Organic cotton softens the material, while the spandex adds just enough stretch so you’re not fighting to move.  

It holds up to abrasion, does not break down like traditional cotton canvas, and naturally resists mildew and odor in dirty or damp environments. Overall, this is a fabric that can take a beating. The Original Canvas Bibs were featured in our Broken Inn series, and you can read a real review here.

Fabric Ratings from 1-5:  

• Abrasion Resistance: 5  

• Warmth: 3  

• Breathability: 3  

Pima cotton is considered a premium cotton that is grown primarily in Peru and other warm, coastal regions. It differs from standard cotton in fiber length. Pima cotton fibers can grow up to 2 inches long, which is roughly twice as long as standard cotton fibers.  

Longer fibers mean fewer loose ends in the fabric, which gives it a clean, high-quality look and finish. It also results in a softer, smoother feel, higher durability than typical cotton, less pilling over time, and better breathability.  

Pima cotton is primarily used in Smith + Rogue’s T-shirts and everyday wear collections because it feels light and moves easily. It was also used in the 100% USA made Benton shirts which you can read more about here.  

Fabric Ratings from 1-5:  

• Abrasion Resistance: 3  

• Cooling Effect: 5  

• Breathability: 5  

Skoltec is a performance base layer fabric that is specifically designed for layering and next-to-skin comfort. It is made up of:  

• 51% merino wool  

• 40% bamboo  

• 9% polyamide 

Merino wool does the heavy lifting in this fabric. It regulates temperature, wicks moisture, resists odor, and holds up better than traditional wool.  

The bamboo adds next-to-skin comfort by softening the feel of the wool. If you have ever avoided wool because it feels scratchy, this blend solves that problem and makes it comfortable enough to wear all day.  

The polyamide adds durability and helps the fabric maintain its shape after repeated wear and washing.  

Skoltec is designed to be an adaptable base layer. In the Northwest, you can experience all four seasons in a single day. This fabric helps you stay dry, regulate body temperature, and stay comfortable without holding onto odor the way some synthetic fabrics can.  

Fabric Ratings from 1-5:  

• Temperature Regulation: 5  

• Moisture Wicking: 5  

• Warmth: 3  

Smith + Rogue builds fabrics with a very specific purpose. They understand that something that feels good in the store needs to keep performing months or even years later.  

Keep this in mind when you’re shopping:  

• Original Canvas is built for durability and work  

• Pima cotton is designed for everyday comfort  

• Skoltec is made for performance layering  

Each solves a different problem, and each breaks in differently, and each holds up a little differently. For Smith + Rogue, it’s not just about what the gear looks like, but what it’s built to do.