Ballistic is a “filament type” yarn, vs cordura which is texturized, meaning ballistic nylon yarns are smooth and slick, whereas cordura yarns are slightly fuzzy. Ballistic is typically the heavier of the two fabrics and has the superior tensile and tear strength. But, when it comes to backpacks, both fabrics are super heavy-duty. They may be able to endure some serious wear and tear, but chances are your backpack will have some weight to it before it’s even packed, which may not be desirable for most people, especially if you only need a basic backpack for work or school.