From my samples of both the SportsTex is much softer than the DuraPlus. For the DuraPlus think of a Nylon backpack, where the SportsTex is more supple. My wife who grooms dogs and cats thinks the DuraPlus would be easier to clean. But I think someone else on this thread talked about having SportsTex (and dogs too if I'm remembering correctly) and it not being difficult to clean, so take my words for what they're worth.Or is it pretty much the same fabric with a different pattern?