You know what I really like about this thread? Not only is everyone so cool to PERDIGAO with their helpful cloth alternative recommendations; but, it serves to show that there actually is a world beyond Simonis - as bad as I feel for their company problems - and, that we don't really have to be slaves to only one cloth company to get the performance, durability, and color-options we want. I've learned a lot by researching the manufacturing specs of different cloths and cloth companies, which I never would have done, if Simonis did not have their flood.
PERDIGAO - If you don't already have them, here are the Simonis Specs for you to use as a base to compare alternative cloths from other manufacturers:
Simonis 860: 90% Wool 10% Nylon, 23oz. Fast
Simonis 860HR: 70% Wool, 30% Nylon 24oz. Faster than 860
Simonis 760: 70% Wool, 30% Nylon, 21oz. Faster than 860HR
Championship Tournament 3030: 70% Wool, 30% Nylon, 24oz.
Championship Pro-Am 3020: 70% Wool, 30% Nylon 21oz.
Championship Carombola: 70% Wool, 30% Nylon 18oz.
Andy 988: 80% Wool, 20% Nylon, 22.5oz.
Andy 900: 75% Wool, 25% Nylon, 21.5oz.
Andy 588: 60% Wool, 40% Nylon+ Acrylonitrile 21.5oz.
Predator Arcadia Select: 65% Wool, 35% Nylon+ 21oz.
Predator Arcadia Reserve: 70% Wool, 30% Nylon+ 22oz.
CPBA Competition Series: 65% Wool, 35% Nylon+ 18oz.
CPBA Pyramid Cloth: 65% Wool, 35% Nylon+ 21.5oz
I spoke with one of the fabric engineers at Champion, and he informed me that they use a 2x2 weave pattern - this means two threads over, two threads under - in a cross-weave pattern to create their cloth. Without boring you beyond belief, the weave of a fabric is made up of not just the weave patter (2x2, 2x1, 1x1, 3x3, 3x2, 3x1, etc), but also, which threads are running which way, this is called the weft and the warp of a fabric (Wifey sews and works with a lot of textiles, that's why I know this LOL!); and this is very important to how a cloth feels and wears.
The problem is, I only was able to learn the weave pattern for the Champion brand cloth, and, I have no weave pattern specs for Simonis, Andy, or Predator.
So, the point is, we could compare 3 cloths - all 70 Wool, 30 Nylon, 24oz - and if they use different weave patterns, they will perform and wear differently. So there is that unknown variable to consider. A fabric coming in at 24oz but using a 6x6 weave pattern is going to be very smooth due to the thinner threads; versus, a 1x1 weave pattern which uses thicker threads.
I hope these numbers and information help you - and don't confuse - in comparing alternative cloths to that which you are already comfortable with, but cannot get.
This has been a very educational exercise, so I'm glad you need new cloth! - GJ