The relationship between nylon and atmospheric humidity and, more generally water, is a key to understanding the success of this material. Nylon products absorb and expel water like a sponge, adapting to ambient humidity levels by up to a maximum of 8.5%.

Second only to moisture, temperature is the main physical factor that not only affects the rigidity and flexibility of nylon, but can actually cause it to deteriorate irreversibly through time. Damage starts to occur at temperatures in excess of 60 °C.

In contrast to high temperatures, which tend to make the material more malleable, low temperatures make it more rigid to the point of brittleness.