The confusion is about strength vs. abrasion resistance.

The interesting dilemma is: we can make boats that are super light, and float us and can take the rigors of most paddling conditions, but just don't hit a rock. One of my earlier boats was a Necky Kevlar Arluk III. They did a good job on a super thin paper-like skin and I beat the h--- out of that boat and never really needed a repair other than cosmetic. If you pressed on thr deck, it would flex, but because of creases and shapes it had strength. It was a bit ugly but a fairly good performer.