Garden Hose Materials, Flexibility & Durability
hoses are usually made from vinyl, rubber or a combination of the two. Garden hoses are constructed in layers, or ply. The more ply the hose has, the more durable it is. Some hoses have metal coils or cords between the layers of rubber or vinyl to help keep the hose from kinking. Which garden hose material you choose will depend on your budget, flexibility needs and climate.
- Vinyl hoses are the most budget-friendly choice. These hoses are best for mild climates and lighter watering tasks. Vinyl hoses aren’t as durable as rubber hoses.
- A rubber garden hose requires the most upfront investment. They’re tougher, more flexible and heavier than vinyl hoses. Overall, rubber hoses are more durable.
- Combo hoses have rubber’s durability combined with vinyl’s light weight. They may have more ply or an outer mesh layer to protect against snags and punctures. Combo hoses are sometimes reinforced with nylon and rayon. This gives these hoses a different level of flexibility.
Aim for a garden hose that’s flexible enough for easy storage and going around corners. However, if the water hose is too flexible that it kinks easily.
- A reinforced rubber garden hose works well for home use.
- Stiffer hoses are less likely to kink while in use, but they can be heavy and cumbersome.
- Flexible hoses are easy to move around the garden, but they’re more likely to kink.
A hose's durability is determined by its category. Hoses are categorized ad light duty, standard or medium duty, heavy duty or super duty.
- Light-duty hoses aren’t as durable, but they’re easier to wind up and store than stronger duty hoses. They work well in small gardens.
- Standard hoses are good for most residential lawn and landscape needs. Take care of general gardening work with a medium-duty hose.
- Heavy-duty hoses have thick walls and are very sturdy. You can leave them outside and exposed to the elements without risking damage.
- The heavier duty the hose is, the more water pressure it can handle. Use heavy-duty hoses for pressure washer tasks.
Tip: When shopping for a hose, use the “U” test. Bend the hose into a “U” shape. If it kinks, choose another.