Materials
RECOMMENDATIONS
The durability of all the materials we use will give you more than enough performance to keep your Babau with you for years to come.
If you give your Babau normal use, using it every day but taking minimal care of it as you would normally do with something you value, you won't need to read any of the instructions below, simply choose the one you like best.
If, on the other hand, you are going to use it very, very intensively without worrying about the surfaces where you leave it (on the ground in the street, in the subway, etc.), if you walk a lot around the city and your bag or backpack is to rub against different types of walls, etc., then read the characteristics of each material to choose the most suitable one for you. And remember, no matter how resistant the materials we use are, there is always a limit, a limit that we have seen crossed on occasion.
What materials do we use?
The raw materials we use are largely from local suppliers or, at least, of European origin. The requirements of European regulations ensure our health and environment, so any of the manufacturers we work with are governed by these regulations.
All our materials comply with the REACH STANDARD regulations and have many more properties than most of those used in the leather goods sector; waterproofing, anti-stain, antibacterial, anti-mite, fire-retardant treatments, etc.
They are quite a bit more expensive but they help us to be different from the rest and strengthen the image that we want to be associated with Babau .
Our filters
For us, the choice of a material must necessarily go through two filters:
The first is the image, it has to provide a color and texture that fits with what we are looking for for the specific season. We have to like it and it has to be attractive.
The second encompasses the origin, durability and ease of working with it. Whenever we can we use recycled materials but when we cannot find any that pass the first filter, we use new fabrics that provide us with a lot of resistance and durability. In our case we use materials designed for the world of upholstery, both indoor and outdoor (garden, nautical, etc.).
DELTA Material
Designed by Babau, made to last
The material DELTA is not just any fabric. We developed it ourselves, together with our supplier, after many months of testing, prototyping, and research. We were looking for a material that was not only beautiful or different but that also met our exact needs for creating our bags: durability, structure, lightness, and personality.
It is a technical fabric made of polyester coated with PVC, commonly used in sectors such as healthcare, industry, or nautical applications. And it's no coincidence: it is durable, easy to clean, and very resistant to intensive use. Moreover, it maintains the shape and appearance of the bag over time, as if it had just come out of the workshop.
One of its most distinctive features is the texture with thousands of small micro-triangles, which gives it a slightly grainy finish, visually rich yet discreet. This geometric pattern not only adds character and depth but also enhances its durability and makes cleaning easier.
To all this, there is an additional detail that we love: the material is painted with two different shades, creating a true bicolor effect, not just visually. This overlay of colors accentuates the relief of the micro-engraving and reinforces the play of nuances depending on the light and the angle from which it is viewed. The result is a lively, dynamic material with a lot of personality.
The DELTA has its own identity, halfway between industrial and elegant.
We chose it —and adapted it— because we wanted a material that matched the Babau idea: bags designed for real life, that can accompany you every day, anywhere, and that stay looking new without sacrificing design.
For its appearance, texture, and behavior, we love to say that the DELTA is 100% Babau: we sought it out, we tested it, we adjusted it... and today it is part of our identity.
Seatbelt Material
Security turned into design
The structure of the car seat belt is composed of PET polyester filaments and, as its name indicates, it has been designed to ensure safety within the automotive industry. In this sector, all components must pass rigorous quality controls, especially those directly related to the protection of individuals. Seat belts, therefore, are subjected to even greater demands.
The factory that produces them is located in the same town as our workshop: Terrassa. From there, we obtain production surpluses and batches with minor defects that we reuse to make our "unbreakable" bags. This process is known as pre-consumer recycling, and it fits perfectly into the circular economy model that we believe society should move towards.
It is an extremely durable material, much more than necessary to make a bag, which places our bags and backpacks among the most durable on the market.
Now, that same density that gives it strength is also responsible for one of its few drawbacks: weight. A bag made from seat belts can weigh approximately the same as another of similar size made from leather.
Regarding waterproofing, although it is not total, the high density of the material provides water resistance superior to that of most conventional fabrics.
About stains, dyes, and responsibilities
Although the materials we use are of high quality and have specific stain-resistant finishes, the migration of pigments, dyes, and colorants —such as those used in the denim of some jeans, leathers, microfibers, etc.— is an effect that is practically irreversible on many surfaces, especially on lighter-colored materials.
Remember: if a Babau gets stained this way, the fault is not with the materials we use, but with the garment that bleeds. As we usually say: "The paper is not to blame for being painted by a marker."
If you have doubts about whether a garment may bleed, you can do a very simple test at home: take a piece of paper and rub it vigorously against the garment. If the paper comes out stained... it means that fabric can transfer dye to your bag too!
We have tested it even with jeans over 3 years old and multiple washes... and yes, the paper also ended up with color residues.
This not only affects our bags: the same would happen to any other item, even a luxury one worth over €2,000, if it rubs against a fabric that releases dye.
In fact, brands like Levi's are very clear in their policy:
"We do not offer refunds or replacements for garments that become stained due to dye transfer. We are also not responsible for cleaning costs or other damages caused by this phenomenon."
At Babau, we are more accessible, closer, and more "human" than many big brands, and that’s why we receive all your comments and questions directly.
We like to show our face and stand by those who choose us. And that also means explaining things clearly, even if sometimes we cannot give the answer you would like to hear.
Our commitment is to continue designing honest, durable, and beautiful products, with extraordinary materials and as much transparency as possible.
