Battle-Tough® vs. Steadfast® American Flags

There’s so many American flags out there, how are you supposed to pick the right one? Nylon or polyester? Wind grades? Mounting options? Good news - we’re gonna break it down to help you choose the perfect one for you! Our Battle-Tough® Nylon American Flag and our Steadfast® Winter Grade Polyester American Flag are beautifully made and built to last. Both are completely Made in the USA from the grommets to the thread. Proudly supporting American manufacturing with 100% USA-sourced materials. Let’s dig into the differences!

The Battle-Tough® Nylon American Flag

Our Battle-Tough® American Flag is one of our most popular flags for a reason. A nylon flag is ideal for most locations and is an absolute workhorse of a flag. The perfect combination of color retention and durability, the Battle-Tough® is the best of both worlds. Made with the lightest and strongest materials out there, it’ll fly proudly in the lightest of winds. Additionally, the moisture wicking fabric makes the Battle-Tough® ideal for raining conditions - drying much quicker than other fabrics.

Complete with beautifully embroidered stars and strong stitching to ensure the stripes hold fast together. Each edge is locked stitched with extra reinforcement and X-box corners on the fly end, preventing the flag from premature fraying. The Battle-Tough® is fade-resistant, able withstand the heaviest sun exposure while preserving its bright and vibrant colors.

The Steadfast® Winter Grade Polyester American Flag

Our Steadfast® American Flag is the strongest, most durable American flag in our lineup. If you’re looking for a flag that can stand up to heavy weather and high winds, the Steadfast® is the way to go. Made of 2-ply heavy duty polyester fabric, this flag will endure the harshest conditions while showcasing the Stars and Stripes beautifully. From high in the mountains, to the windiest coastlines, the Steadfast® American Flag is our pick for heavy weather locations.

Constructed with layered polyester fabric for the most durability and maximum wind resistance. Thicker thread and double stitched uni-directional stitching will keep the flag from wearing out. Plus extra rows of stitching on the fly end and X-box corners, the Steafast® will stand the test of time.

Getting The Right Fit

The most commonly asked question we get about our American flags is simply “so which one is better?”. There’s no cut and dry answer to that, it all depends on your location, weather patterns and specific preferences. Both of these flags have an average lifespan of 6-18 months and some of our customers have seen even longer use!

Weather and Location Factors

One flag likely isn’t going to be the best fit for everyone considering the varying weather patterns across the United States. But don’t worry, we can help you figure out which American flag will be best for you. The answer will ultimately depend on what your biggest priority is. Standing up against heavy wind? Staying vibrant in strong sunlight? Withstanding winter weather? Let’s break down which is best in each consideration.

• Strong, Heavy Winds: in especially windy areas such as mountains, valleys, or on the coast - the Steadfast® American Flag will be a better fit. It’s tough construction will help it last against strong winds without fraying.
• Rainy Areas: for locations that experience a lot of rain, the Battle-Tough® American Flag is your best bet. Nylon fabric dries very quickly, preventing rain from weighing down the flag when flying.
• Extreme Winters: if you’re main priority is lasting in intense winters with heavy snow, we suggest the Steadfast® American Flag. Winter Grade is in its name for a reason. The tough polyester will help your flag last longer throughout winter.
• Lots of Sun: If you’re in an area that receives a lot of sun rays, such as a desert, the last thing you want is the colors to fade too quickly. In this case, the Battle-Tough® American Flag is made of fade-resistant nylon ensuring the Stars and Stripes remain vibrant.
• Traditional Fabric Feel: Some customers prefer a flag that feels closer to a canvas-type material. In this case, we’d suggest the Steadfast® American Flag.
• House-Mounted Poles: When displaying Old Glory on a house-mounted pole we highly recommend the Battle-Tough® American Flag for the best all-around experience. A house will typically keep the flag protected from heavy winds, making a nylon flag the best option. Looking for a house-mounted pole that has everything included? Check out our Worry Free® American Flag Set complete with all the hardware you’d need to easily.
• Big Flag Displays: There are many circumstances in which you’d like to fly a larger flag. Whether it be for tall flagpoles or grand displays we carry American flags in sizes up to 40x80’ to fit those needs. If you’re looking to fly a flag sized 8x12’ and larger, we’d suggest the All-Weather Nylon American Flag. While the Battle-Tough® nylon flag only goes up to 6x10’ we wanted to include this recommendation for a nylon flag. Our All-Weather nylon flag is perfect for flying those larger sizes with ease.

Ready For A New American Flag?

We’ve got you covered with everything you could need to display your American flag with pride. We take American flags seriously and believe providing only the best flags is of the utmost importance. From the Battle-Tough® American Flag to the Steadfast® American Flag and so much more, we have it all. Check our entire collection of outdoor American flags plus our indoor American flags for beautiful formal displays.

More About The Stars And Stripes

Displaying the American flag proudly can sometimes involve a lot of moving parts. Flagpoles, hardware, carrying cases, and keeping them in tip-top shape to name a few. Luckily for you, we at Gettysburg Flag Works have countless resources to help make your experience as easy as possible. Our how-to video gallery covers everything from how to assemble hardware to how to lower your flags to half-staff. Plus, utilize our whole list of flag resources to answer all of your flag related questions.

Flag etiquette is a big part of ensuring the American flag is given the respect it deserves. Check out our complete guide on flag etiquette for everything you need to know. Plus, sign up for our half-staff alerts to stay up to date on days where the American flag takes on additional meaning. Don’t forget to utilize a mourning ribbon if you’re unable to lower your flag to half-staff for any reason.