Abstract: A flexible reinforced hose for conveying fluid under pressure and comprising a polymeric core tube covered by two or more layers of stranded reinforcement. Each layer of reinforcement is of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the next radially outward layer of reinforcement so that each layer may more readily expand in diameter than the next outer layer due to elongation of the strands when the hose is subjected to fluid under pressure to thus cause the radial load imposed by the fluid pressure to be distributed more evenly among layers. Each layer may comprise first and second sets of oppositely helically wound strands that may be either interwoven to form a braid or a knit or wherein the second set is wound over the first set.