Over the past few decades and, in more recent years, nylon has become a viable material in which to construct well-functioning bullwhips & snakewhips. This isn’t to say that nylon is a good alternative to using leather in building whips, but as a complement to leather. When the weather is wet, a nylon whip is much more suited for this condition over one made of leather.

Some people like to debate on the subject of nylon vs. leather when it comes to whips. There’s nothing quite like a well-crafted kangaroo hide or cowhide whip fashioned by the hands of a talented & skilled whipmaker. Yet when the weather turns wet & humid, those pretty leather braids are less suited for these conditions, and usually stay indoors & unused.

Personally, I don’t see the debate. Rather, I see a combination, a pleasant teaming of nylon & leather. Someone who’s just starting to crack whips is more inclined to pay a bit less money than a good leather whip starts at, in order to determine whether or not they are going to enjoy this newly popular past time. Once they’ve decided to pursue it, then perhaps buying a more expensive whip made of leather will become a consideration.

There are several benefits of using a whip made of nylon. Here’s some points to consider:

1. Nylons are generally lower cost than leather whips.

2. Nylon is more durable than leather and can take more abuse.

3. Nylon is moisture resistant.

4. It requires no maintenance.

5. It doesn’t mold or mildew and it won’t rot.

6. It’s impervious to wet & humid climates.

Those are just some benefits of using nylon whips. They don’t compare to leather in terms of feel or smell, but can perform everything an expensive leather whip can. Bottom line, there’s nothing you cannot do with a nylon whip that you can with a leather whip. So, leather whips are great, and if you can afford a high end whip built by a top notch whipmaker, then that’s what you should buy. But when the weather conditions are less than ideal, and you’re afraid of damaging or dirtying that nice leather, consider using a nylon whip. They’re not an alternative to leather whips, but rather a complement to them. You can use both types of whips.