Woven Hook & Loop vs. Low Profile Plastic Hook and Velour

By Hook and Loop Fasteners | 2025-07-13

Woven vs. Low Profile: What’s the Difference?

Hook and loop tape comes in a wide range of styles, each suited to different applications. If you're weighing up traditional woven tape versus something flatter and more discreet, this article breaks down the key differences between VELCRO® Brand woven hook and loop and the extra thin, low profile plastic hook and velour loop alternatives.

We’ll cover how they compare in both structure and thickness, with reference to the following VELCRO® Brand tape types:

Woven Hook (088)

Woven Loop (001)

Plastic Hook - Self-Adhesive (830)

Plastic Hook - Sew-On (805)

Velour Loop - Self-Adhesive and Sew-On (3165)

Classic Woven Hook and Loop

The woven hook and loop combination (codes 088 and 001) is the most recognisable format. It’s strong, durable, and widely used across everything from industrial products to everyday accessories. This is the classic "rough and soft" fastening, made using woven nylon on both sides.

When engaged, it has a closure thickness of approximately 4mm. While reliable, this bulk can be limiting in applications where space or aesthetics matter.

Extra Thin, Low Profile Alternative

For a thinner, more subtle fastening, VELCRO® Brand low profile plastic hook and velour loop offers a smart alternative. These fasteners are commonly used in sectors like automotive, display and apparel, where a low closure height and softer surface feel are preferred.

You can choose from two main configurations:

Self-Adhesive Plastic Hook (830) + Self-Adhesive Velour Loop (3165)
View all low profile self-adhesive options
This extra thin combination closes at just 2.0mm, making it ideal where minimal height is critical.

Sew-On Plastic Hook (805) + Sew-On Velour Loop (3165)
View all low profile sew-on options
Slightly thicker and more robust, this pairing closes at approximately 2.3mm.

Both styles are manufactured by VELCRO® Companies and deliver a sleek, modern alternative to traditional woven tape.

Closure Thickness Comparison

Type	Hook Code	Loop Code	Closure Thickness
Woven Hook & Loop	088	001	4.0mm
Self-Adhesive Plastic Hook & Velour	830	3165	2.0mm
Sew-On Plastic Hook & Velour	805	3165	2.3mm

All closure thicknesses are approximate and based on compatible VELCRO® Brand hook and loop tape combinations.

Summary

Choose woven hook and loop when durability and reusability are most important.

Choose extra thin, low profile plastic hook and velour when a flatter finish, softer texture or cleaner appearance is needed.

Whether you're working on display panels, garments, interiors or industrial designs, picking the right VELCRO® Brand fastener makes a difference in both performance and finish.

FAQ

Q1: What is the main difference between woven hook and loop and low profile hook and velour?

Woven hook and loop is made from interlaced nylon fibres and has a thicker, more rugged structure, ideal for repeated use and strong holding power. Low profile hook and velour uses a flatter plastic hook and soft fabric-like loop, offering a much thinner closure with a smoother, more subtle finish

Q2: How thick is woven VELCRO® Brand hook and loop when closed?

When combined, the standard woven hook (088) and woven loop (001) have a closure thickness of around 4.0mm

Q3: How thin is low profile plastic hook and velour loop?

When used with self-adhesive backing, the plastic hook (830) and velour loop (3165) close at just 2.0mm. The sew-on version using hook 805 and loop 3165 is slightly thicker at 2.3mm

Q4: When should I use low profile VELCRO® Brand fasteners instead of woven types?

Low profile plastic hook and velour are best when you need a flatter finish, such as in automotive trim, displays, or clothing. They're also more comfortable to touch and look more refined than traditional woven tapes

Q5: Are all these options genuine VELCRO® Brand products?

Yes, all the products discussed—including woven hook (088), woven loop (001), plastic hook (805 & 830), and velour loop (3165) are manufactured by VELCRO® Companies, ensuring quality and consistency across all types