Why Gladiator Uses UV-Treated Polypropylene & Steel | Built for Hauling

What Makes Gladiator Cargo Nets the Best? The Gladiator Difference

At this point, we’re a broken record — but it’s worth repeating: our cargo nets are only as strong as the materials we use. While our design plays a huge role, the durability and safety of every Gladiator Net starts with high-quality, field-tested components.

From our UV-treated polypropylene webbing to zinc-coated steel hardware, every piece is selected for strength, weather resistance, and long-term performance — because what you’re hauling matters.

🛠️ Why We Use UV-Treated Polypropylene

Polypropylene is at the core of every Gladiator Net. It’s a rugged, reliable material known for its strength and resistance to wear. But we take it a step further — we treat it with UV inhibitors to protect against sun degradation.

Benefits of polypropylene webbing:

• Water-resistant (unlike nylon, it doesn't absorb moisture)

• Highly UV-resistant, even in intense sun exposure

• Chemical-resistant to oils, solvents, and more

• Mold and mildew-resistant — won’t rot over time

• Lightweight yet strong, so it's easier to handle but tough enough to haul serious weight

This is the same industrial-grade webbing trusted in military, marine, and cargo applications — now made accessible for truck owners, off-roaders, contractors, and fleet professionals.

🧵 Ripstop Mesh

Our extruded mesh isn’t just durable — it’s smart.

It’s made with a rip-stop pattern, meaning if it ever gets punctured, the damage won’t spread. This ensures your net maintains its overall strength, even after rough use or accidental impact.

🛠️ Coated Brass Grommets: Light, Strong, Built to Last

Every Gladiator Net includes 40 to 180 grommets, depending on the size. That’s a lot of hardware — so we had to choose something that’s tough, but doesn’t weigh you down.

Our choice: coated brass grommets.
They offer:

• Superior durability for repeated tie-downs

• Lightweight construction that doesn’t add bulk

• Resistance to rust, corrosion, and road grime

🔒 Zinc-Coated Steel Hardware: Because Every Connection Matters

We don’t skimp on attachment points. Our cam buckles and carabiners are made from zinc-coated steel, and each is stamped at 1,323 lbs. (600 kg) — so you know exactly what it can handle.

Wherever possible, we use steel for our hardware to ensure each tie-down point is as strong as the rest of the net.

🧲 N-Hooks and S-Hooks: Strength + Protection

Made from industrial steel, our N-hooks and S-hooks are:

• Rubber-coated to protect your truck or trailer

• DOT-compliant, with weight ratings clearly stamped

• Built to stay in place — even on rough terrain

This means peace of mind, whether you're on the highway or the trail.

🌧️ Waterproof Vinyl Nets: 18 oz. of Flexible Toughness

Our waterproof cargo nets are made from UV-treated 18 oz vinyl, chosen after extensive field testing.

We landed on this thickness because it strikes the perfect balance:

• Heavy-duty enough for rough hauling

✂️ Even the Thread Matters

Yes — even our stitching thread is UV-treated. It’s not enough to use strong materials if your seams don’t last. We work closely with suppliers to ensure even the smallest components meet our standards.

At Gladiator, we don’t just sell cargo nets — we engineer solutions you can trust. From the mesh and webbing to every grommet, hook, and buckle, we’re obsessed with choosing the right materials to build the strongest, most durable, and DOT-compliant cargo nets on the market.

Because if your net fails, nothing else matters. And for us, that’s never an option.