Kevlar embedded rubber.

Performance bicycles came out with a house brand tire which was later sold under the Geax name. These tires had chopped Kevlar embedded in the rubber. Other brands used a Kevlar belt between the tread and casing. I have used both types and generally bought which ever was cheaper. Tires with Kevlar last around 5 times as long as those with out it. In my case this was 500 to 2500 miles for a rear. My tires die when multiple glass cuts join causing the tube to protrude through the thread. Kevlar added $5 per tire. So you can see using this type of material would only add a few cents to a button. The problem with Kevlar fabric is nothing sticks to it. So in a tire or a button there is the danger of delamination. There was no delamination for the Kevlar fibers. I have used enough flashlights now no know the button is generally the first thing to wear out. This of course ruing the waterproofing . I would certainly pay a few extra cents for a Kevlar embedded rubber.

So… you’re wishing for a Kevlar-rubber button cover? I’m not so sure this is possible to obtain. The “few cents” added to the button would be more than a “normal” rubber button cover costs to make (I think) meaning that it would increase the price by more than 100%! Perhaps you could interest some manufacturer in making some if you got a big enough order through a group buy or something - assuming you could get enough people interested in owning buying Kevlar-rubber flashlight button covers.

I’d say in the flashlight biz a few cents extra for a rubber on off switch is too expensive. If the button is standardised, then an aftermarket button is interesting. Otherwise, why not just include an extra rubber button, like with O-rings?
On a more technical aspect, isn’t tire wear of a different mechanism than button wear? Doesn’t the button rupture instead of wear out? So would a short fibre Kevlar reinforced rubber button be more resistant to ruptures? The fail mechanism may be different and different fibre length may be required.

My Orthotics are made of Kevlar.They definitely make them[Orthotics] better. I have minimal and sporadic pain,NOTHING like it was before I got them.

With all the miles I hike they last pretty long. First pair lasted me 11 years…$400 a pair.

If you setup a group-buy for some standard-size kevlar button covers I’m definitely interested. :+1:

Sometimes features which initially are only for enthusiasts eventually become more mainstream and are added to lights by manufacturers. Direct-copper stars for instance.

ya. I’d be in on a couple. why not. we all by all kinds of stuff. if a standard button is a couple bucks and a kevlar button is a couple bucks more I can see people paying for it definitely.

Hi, Did anything ever happen with this?