Ballistic Weave

The ballistic weave is an armor mod that allows adding defensive stats to clothing items, including outfits, clothing that can be worn under armor, and a small number of hats. This crafting ability can be learned from Tinker Tom after performing certain quests for the Railroad faction.

Once this skill is learned, one can upgrade any applicable clothing item at an armor workbench.

Find and begin performing Railroad faction quests until P.A.M. gives a series of minor quests to secure DIA caches (these become available after doing Boston After Dark and Mercer Safehouse). The missions can include, but may not be limited to:


 * Jackpot: Hub 360
 * Jackpot: Medford Memorial Hospital
 * Jackpot: Ruined Skyscraper

After completing several of these quests for P.A.M., Drummer Boy will tell the Sole Survivor they need to speak to Tinker Tom, who will talk about the DIA cache, mentioning ballistic fiber upgrades and offering some armored gear. At this point the armor mod is unlocked at any armor workbench.

Upgradable hats

 * Battered fedora
 * Green rag hat
 * Newsboy cap
 * Trilby hat

Non-upgradable clothing

 * BOS uniform
 * BOS Officer Uniform
 * Brandis' BOS uniform
 * Clean black suit (Bugged, see notes)
 * Colonial duster
 * DB tech varsity uniform
 * Road leathers
 * Raider Leathers
 * Vault jumpsuit
 * Kellogg's Outfit
 * Leather Coat
 * Vault-Tec Lab Coat
 * Radstag Hide Outfit
 * Athletic Outfit
 * Minutemen general's uniform
 * Gunner Guard Outfit
 * Gunner Harness

Bugs
Aggravating the Railroad or choosing the procrastinate dialog option (left) with PAM or Tinker Tom may cause the NPCs to become bugged and respectively not give the quest or unlock the ability to mod apparel.