What is a Hot Air Balloon Made of?

A hot air balloon consists of 3 main parts. The balloon itself (which we call the envelope), the basket, and the burner system. The balloon envelope can be made of either polyester or rip-stop nylon. The fabric is designed to keep the heat inside the balloon, while the balloon’s supporting structure is a large network of strong webbing, around which the fabric is sewn. The balloon basket is woven from willow, but its supporting structure consists of oak planks and strong steel cables that connect to the balloon. Willow wickerwork has the great advantage of being both flexible and strong, making it very suitable for balloon landings. The burner system consists of gas cylinders, hoses, and a large burner that can be activated and which, by burning gas, can send heat up into the balloon during flight.