Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. Seats, foot braces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. We've used it for more than 30 years to construct extremely light and tough canoes. Wenonah Canoe is the worlds largest maker of canoes using Aramid.