| 1.3 oz. Taffeta | An ultra-light, luxuriously soft taffeta lining ideal for next the skin. The North Face. [Top] |
| 1.6 oz. Double Ripstop | Soft, lightweight MicroPoly Ripstop is incredibly downproof. It's high wind resistance, DWR (durable water repellent) finish and soft hand make it ideal for sleeping bags. The North Face. [Top] |
| 1.9 oz. Ripstop Nylon | A tent canopy fabric with excellent tear strength. The North Face. [Top] |
| 1000 Denier Cordura® | The "original" Cordura(r), this yarn is still the standard for toughness, abrasion and scuff resistance, puncture and tear resistance. It outperforms standard nylons, polypropylene, vinyl, cotton and leather by factors up to 10! Some common uses are boot uppers, horse blankets, military fabrics, boots and shoes, briefcases, indoor/outdoor furniture, packs, computer and camera bags and gun cases. [Top] |
| 1050 Denier Ballistics | Developed for use in bulletproof vests and automobile tires, this tough nylon yarn is used in packs where an incredibly durable fabric with high abrasion resistance and tear strength is needed. The North Face. [Top] |
| 165 PSI Nylon | Used for tent floors, it has a 5-layer polyurethane coating that tests to an unprecedented 165 pounds per square inch for added insurance in the mountains. The North Face. [Top] |
| 2.6 oz. Taffeta | A tightly woven 100% nylon fabric used for flysheets; provides maximum protection from the elements. [Top] |
| 330 Denier Cordura® | Lightweight with exceptional durability and tear strength. While specially engineered for rugged apparel applications, it affords a soft, spun-like hand and appearance. Great for workwear, hunting apparel, skiwear, activewear and gloves. [Top] |
| 330 Denier Cordura® Supplex | A dense weave configuration that provides excellent durability, abrasion resistance, and tear strength. 100% nylon Supplex(r) yarns are specially engineered to provide the look and feel of cotton with all the advantages of nylon. The North Face. [Top] |
| 330 Denier Cordura® Supplex® Durepel 1000 | A densely woven fabric that offers excellent durability, abrasion resistance, and tear resistance. 100% nylon Supplex(r) yarns are specially engineered to provide the look and feel of cotton with all the advantages of nylon. A highly protective, water-resistant, and windproof micropourus Durepel 1000 coating offers high breathability and protection in moderate weather conditions. The North Face. [Top] |
| 330 Denier Cordura® Supplex® Ultrex® | A dense weave configuration that provides excellent durability, abrasion resistance, and tear strength. Coated with a microporous waterproof, windproof, and breathable Ultrex(r) coating that promotes maximum performance and a DWR (durable water repellent) to shed water. The North Face. [Top] |
| 3MTM Scotchlite™ by 3M | A reflective material added to clothing and shoes to provide nighttime visibility. Features superior brightness for total visibility and angularity for visibility from all angles. [Top] |
| 450 Denier Ripstop Polyester | Used in daypacks and other equipment, this 100% polyester fabric is enginereed with ripstop construction for extra tear and abrasion resistance. It is softer than nylon. The North Face. [Top] |
| 50 Denier Nylon Ripstop | Super lightweight fabric engineered in tight ripstop construction for extra tear resistance and downproofness. A DWR (durable water repellent) finish helps shed water on the surface. Ideal fabric for lightweight insulated garments. [Top] |
| 500 Denier Cordura® | Provides the best ratio of abrasion resistance to fabric weight. It is especially well-suited to rugged apparel and recreational applications. Also good for backpacks, camera bags, handbags, horse blankets, soft-sided luggage, boot bags, and upholstery fabrics. The North Face. [Top] |
| 500 Denier Nailhead Cordura® | Cordura(r) yarns are arranged in a unique weave for strength and durability, then treated with a water-repellent finish. The North Face. [Top] |
| 550 Denier IronFiber | A fabric known for its high resistance to tearing and abrasion. It is treated with a highly water-resistant polyurethane coating. The North Face. [Top] |
| 600+ Fill Power Goose Down | Occupying 600 cu. in. per ounce, this fill rating is extremely lightweight, long-lasting, and warm. It is a good standard for most fine quality down-filled products. [Top] |
| 700+ Fill Power Goose Down | Occupying 700 cu. in. per ounce, this high fill power insulation has an excellent warmth-to-weight-ratio and is ideal for really cold weather. The North Face. [Top] |
| 75 PSI Nylon | Used for tent floors and treated with a polyurethane coating so it tests to a minimum of 75 pounds per square inch, more than double military standards. The North Face. [Top] |
| 750+ Fill Power Goose Down | Occupying 750 cu. in. per ounce, this is the loftiest and warmest down insulation available. Used in technical gear planned to be used in the coldest conditions. The North Face. [Top] |
| Abzorb® | A material that provides maximum shock absorbency and reduces stress on the body by dispersing impact energy. Used in shoes. New Balance. [Top] |
| ActiveAir™ | A unique underfoot comfort system that compresses air and circulates it through a series of chambers and channels to cushion your foot with every step. [Top] |
| Activent® | A highly water resistant, extremely breathable, and totally windproof two-layer or three-layer laminate. Its unique composite of a microporus membrane and polymers is specifically engineered by Gore to maximize the performance characteristics required for short duration, high energy activities. Note: Activent(r) is not waterproof. W.L. Gore. [Top] |
| Airloft™ Mesh | Tiny ceramic particles suspended in the yarn allow this fabric to reflect the sun's rays and keep you cool. Its wicking properties keep you dry. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |
| Aleutian® | A synthetic pile fabric that is lightweight, insulating, durable, and quick-drying. Lowe Alpine. [Top] |
| Alpaca | Hairs from the alpaca, a relative of the llama. The very thin, soft and silky fiber is used to make luxury items. [Top] |
| Angel-Wing Movement™ | A jacket and sweater design whereby armholes and sleeves have been engineered to allow your arms every-which-way movement. You'll be thankful the next time you reach back into a pack pocket or lunge forward for a rope. Marmot. [Top] |
| Angora (Goat) | Long, silky hairs of the Angora goat. Known for its softness, shine and unique furry look. Also known as mohair. [Top] |
| Angora (Rabbit) | Hairs from the angora rabbit. Exceptionally fine, thin and soft, the hollow fibers have the highest heat retention and best wicking properties of any natural fiber. It is 21/2 times warmer than wool. It also has the widest comfort range of any underwear fiber, synthetic or natural. You can wear it outside in extreme cold and come indoors without over heating. Angora doesn't retain odors like synthetics can either. Medima of Germany is the world's premier angora maker. [Top] |
| Anorak | a pullover jacket. Without a zipper running top to bottom, water sheds easier and bulk and weight are kept to a minimum. Marmot. [Top] |
| Anti-Microbial Finish | A durable treatment that is applied to garments to reduce the presence of odor-causing bacteria. So you don't have to hold your nose while slipping into your long johns on an expedition's day 12. Marmot. [Top] |
| ArcEdge™ Construction | Tent floor/side seams that have been catenary cut and sewn with bias binding on the inside of the tent. Lifts floor seams off ground to prevent water leakage. Kelty. [Top] |
| Armhole Skirt | Found in vest armholes, it's an elasticized extension of the liner that's designed to softly close around your shoulder. Think of it as a gaiter for your upper body. [Top] |
| Articulated | A clothing and glove design meant to comfortably accommodate and move with joints like elbows, shoulders, knees, and knuckles. Marmot. [Top] |
| ATS | All Terrain Sole. A long wearing, self-cleaning sticky rubber sole that provides excellent traction in rough and slippery terrain. Skywalk. [Top] |
| Baffle Construction | A design method for keeping fill (usually down) from shifting in sleeping bags and insulated outerwear. Baffles, or sewn box cavities, can vary in size, shape, and volume within the same garment or bag. Marmot. [Top] |
| Ballistics Cloth | A thick nylon weave used in clothing, packs and luggage for reinforcement. Extremely tough and abrasion resistant. [Top] |
| Bar Tacks | Added stitching for strength at stress points. [Top] |
| Base Fabric | A tightly knitted fabric featuring uniform stretch and recovery, incredible comfort and durability, and an exclusive nylon/spandex blend. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |
| Base Layer | The performance wear garment in contact with your skin. Worthwhile base-layer clothing, like DriClime(r), will gently hug your body and transport moisture away from your epidermis and into the air or your next clothing layer. The base layer's mission is to keep you dry and warm. Marmot. [Top] |
| Bellows Pocket | High volume pockets that "bellow out". Created by additional pleats at the bottom and/or sides of the pocket. [Top] |
| Berber | A high performance alternative fabric to fleece. Quick drying, highly wickable, and an excellent thermal insulator. It has a nubby texture and a dense weave. [Top] |
| Bi-Polar® Fleece | A fleece fabric with two unique surfaces; a highly durable, wind and moisture resistant outer layer that protects you from the weather and a shearling inner layer provides insulation. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Bivy | short for "bivouac", a camping spot usually made in a pinch and for but one night; bivies are usually low on shelter and high on austerity. Marmot. [Top] |
| Bivy Sack | a weatherproof sack of sleeping-bag proportions. Marmot. [Top] |
| Boiled Wool | A washing process applied to woven wool to make a dense, durable and water resistant fabric. Yarns can be made from boiled wool fibers. [Top] |
| Box Wall Construction | Fill is contained within a four wall baffle design that prevents the fill from migrating. Unlike sewn through squares containing fill, there are no cold spots at seams. [Top] |
| Brocade | Fabric with raised figure patterns or designs. [Top] |
| Brushed | Knit or woven fabrics of wool, cotton or synthetic fibers which have been brushed or napped to produce a flannel-like hand, sometimes called "sueded" or "peached". [Top] |
| Buckle Fly by Marmot | No relation to the button or zip fly, the Buckle Fly system includes a waterproof fly that clips into buckles on the canopy straps. The task of attaching and making the fly taut is rendered painless. Marmot. [Top] |
| Burrito Bag by Marmot | With compartments for the tent body, fly, poles, and all hardware, plus sewn-in pitching instructions, the compactable Burrito Bag is the tent organizer, which then becomes an organizer for your other camping gear when the tent is pitched and the Burrito Bag is smartly hanging inside. Standard with every Marmot tent; guac and sour cream not included. Marmot. [Top] |
| Cambrelle™ | A tough synthetic liner with a high rate of absorption and breathability. Resists odor, abrasion and piling. Found in boots and shoes. [Top] |
| Camel Hair | The undercoat of the domesticated Bactrian camel, obtained from shedding or shearing. Characterized by its luxurious soft quality and excellent draping ability. Categorized as wool. [Top] |
| Canopy | The inner wall in a tent employing double-wall construction. A good canopy is breathable; the outer wall, or fly, is waterproof. Marmot. [Top] |
| Canvas | A strong, durable, closely woven fabric in heavy and firm weights. Can be nylon, cotton or polyester. [Top] |
| Capilene® | A fabric treatment that wicks moisture away from the skin. It is bonded to the surface of each fiber and will not wash or wear out. Capilene(r) remains soft and supple as it ages. It won't shrink, melt, or mildew, and pilling is minimal. This trademark is owned by Patagonia. [Top] |
| Cashmere | Famous for its extra fine softness and silky hand, it is the undercoat of the cashmere goat. Classified as wool. [Top] |
| Chambray | A durable plain woven fabric that can be made from cotton, silk, or manufactured fibers, but is most commonly cotton. It incorporates a colored warp (often light blue) and white filling yarns. It was originally woven in Cambrai, France, for farmers. [Top] |
| Chenille | Soft, fuzzy yarns stand out around a velvety cord on this fabric, whose name comes from the French word for "caterpillar." [Top] |
| Chino | A cotton twill fabric also known as "army twill". [Top] |
| ClimaDry® | A system to keep your feet dry by protection from perspiration and external moisture. [Top] |
| Coated Fabrics | Fabric to which a coating of synthetic substance, such as rubber, PVC, or polyurethane compound has been applied to improve weather resistance. [Top] |
| CobraCut™ | shoulder straps- Double curved to go around the neck and arm crease without pinching. Kelty. [Top] |
| Combed Cotton | Finest cottons are made from combed yarns. This process removes all short fibers and impurities from the cotton and makes a superior yarn that is more compact and even. [Top] |
| ComFortrel® | The feel-good fiber that puts comfort first. Through a unique polymer modification and the physical design of the fiber itself, ComFortrel(r) gives fabrics a fresher, softer, noticeably cooler feeling with superior breathability and wickability. It has a soft, natural hand, superb pill resistance, excellent shape retention, and a stability that insures against wrinkling, stretching, and shrinking. Wellman. [Top] |
| Compression Stuff Sack | Contains a sleeping bag so that it's small enough to easily carry and shrinks the volume further, via the assist of buckles and compression straps. Marmot. [Top] |
| Conduction | the loss of heat or, more viscerally, the rise of feeling cold through direct contact with a cold surface. Clothing that doesn't dry and then becomes cold can create dire circumstances, literally drawing heat from your body. Understanding conduction is understanding the need to layer properly. Marmot. [Top] |
| Contragrip® | An outsole technology that provides walking comfort by filtering shocks from terrain and delivers good grip everywhere. Salomon. [Top] |
| Convection | The circulation of cold air in exchange for warm, which happens when you're without a windproof shell in blustery conditions. The body will continuously attempt to heat the frigid air, causing you to become cold. Marmot. [Top] |
| Coolmax® | The high tech fabric that keeps you dry, comfortable, and ready for anything. Made from proprietary DuPont fibers that wick (move and evaporate) sweat away from the skin quickly. It is the fastest drying fabric you can put on your body. Often used in outerwear linings and light layering garments. DuPont. [Top] |
| CoolMax® Mesh | CoolMax(r) yarns in an open mesh form the most breathable lining fabric. Each fiber is channeled, creating more surface area to disperse perspiration quickly and create a dry, comfortable microclimate. The North Face. [Top] |
| Cordlock | The small plastic attachment on a drawstring that slides up and down to adjust the length of the cord. [Top] |
| Cordura® | A high strength, abrasion resistant nylon yarn used extensively in outdoor gear and apparel. It is extremely durable, lightweight, tear and puncture resistant, and will not rot or mildew. DuPont [Top] |
| Corduroy | Medium to heavyweight cotton pile fabric with wales, usually cut vertically. Both strong and durable. [Top] |
| Core Ventilation System® | More effective and comfortable than traditional underarm zip-vents, the Core Ventilation System(r) uses large strategically placed adjustable zippered vents that work together to cool your torso, where you heat up the most. As you move, vents pull cool air in and push warm air out. The result is total circulation of air over your body's core for unsurpassed temperature control, even during high-exertion sports. Sierra Designs. [Top] |
| D-Ring | A ring (shaped in a "D") sewn onto garments and gear that is used for hanging items from- or in the case of a tent, used for rainfly tie offs or a gear loft. Commonly found on jackets, ski pants, backpacks, and tents. [Top] |
| Dacromet | An anti-corrosion coating for shoes that keeps moisture and chemicals from degrading the integrity of tempered steel shanks. [Top] |
| Dacron | A synthetic polyester textile fiber of high tensile strength, having great resistance to stretching and wrinkling. [Top] |
| Denier | A weight measurement used to refer to fineness of a yarn. The lower the number, the finer the fiber; the higher the number, the heavier the fiber. In clothing, 70-denier fabric is strong, heavy and usually used in tough shell garments; 30-denier fabric is lightweight and usually found in insulated garments like down jackets. Cordura( can be as much as 1000-denier which is used on the most rugged gear. [Top] |
| Differential Cut | When the diameter of a lining is smaller than the diameter of it's external shell. The space between the two is for the down or synthetic fill. Found among baffled insulated garments and sleeping bags. [Top] |
| Double Doors | Two chest portals that open wide for excellent ventilation. Not only do they scoop air they also double as pockets. Marmot. [Top] |
| Double-wall Construction | A style of tent construction. The inner wall, aka the canopy, is made of breathable nylon; the outer wall is the waterproof fly. In essence, it incorporates a fly and canopy in one tent wall, thus minimizing weight. [Top] |
| Down | Contrary to popular consensus, down is not feathers. It's the filamentous, soft, and fluffy under-layer of plumage. Down is such an effective insulator because it's light, lofty, and able to trap an abundance of (potentially warm) air between its tiny appendages. Marmot. [Top] |
| Drape | The flexibility and suppleness of a fabric. A flexible fiber such as acetate can be made into a highly drapeable fabric and garment. Usually, the thinner the fiber, the better the drapeability. [Top] |
| DriClime® | Base-layer clothing fabric that uses two different yarns to render it soft, insulative, highly effective at both wicking and dispersing moisture, and odor-resistant wear after wear. Used for linings, shells and pants. Marmot. [Top] |
| Drilex™ | A fabric that wicks moisture quickly. [Top] |
| Drop Seat | A suspender arrangement that allows the back of side-zip pants to become a zip-open flap for your derriere, for when the nearest bathroom is a pine grove or rocky outcropping. Marmot. [Top] |
| DryFlo® | A technical fabric made from 100% polyester fibers. It is wickable, breathable, and fast drying. Lowe Alpine. [Top] |
| Dryloft® | A shell fabric that is windproof, extremely breathable, and provides significant moisture protection from outside sources of moisture [Top] |
| DryLoft® 830 | A breathable, water-resistant, windproof fabric that significantly increases the warmth and durability of down- and Polarguard(r)-insulated sleeping bags. By cutting wind penetration and preventing condensation within the insulation, it is an ideal shell fabric for products used in ice climbing, mountaineering, river rafting, and other wilderness activities. The North Face. [Top] |
| Duck | A tightly woven, heavy, plain-weave, bottom-weight fabric with a hard, durable finish. The fabric is usually made of cotton, and is widely used in men's and women's pants, and children's playclothes. [Top] |
| Durapel® | A type of durable water repellent finish that is applied to fabric to help repel moisture. [Top] |
| Duratex® | A 100% nylon fabric with the look of cotton. Extremely windproof, waterproof, and abrasion resistant. [Top] |
| Duvet | A comforter cover. [Top] |
| DWR | An acronym for Durable Water Repellent finish, a treatment found on outerwear that forces water to bead much as wax does for a car. There are a variety of DWRs, but all for one reason: to prevent water from saturating the shell fabric, which averts potential condensation into the lining and keeps you warmer. A DWR will wash out after a number of washings and dry cleaning removes it immediately! It can be replaced by a product such as Scotchgard or Teflon fabric sprays. (Your dry cleaner can apply a commercial grade DWR). Marmot. [Top] |
| Egyptian Cotton | A fine, lustrous long staple cotton- many contend it is the finest cotton in the world. [Top] |
| EnduraSpan™ | A highly abrasion resistant stretch fabric used in suspension parts. Kelty. [Top] |
| EVA | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. A lightweight, shock absorbing synthetic rubber commonly used for cushioning insoles and midsoles of shoes. When added to polyethylene, as in Evazote, it imparts enhanced physical characteristics and gives a soft, rubbery feel. [Top] |
| Faille | A semi-lustrous fabric with ribbed texture and excellent draping qualities, soft to the touch. [Top] |
| Fat Man™ & Ribbon™ | sleeping bag drawcords- One cord is fat, one is flat, so you can adjust top or lower sections of hood by feel when it's dark outside. Kelty. [Top] |
| Fiber | The basic entity, either natural or manufactured, which is twisted into yarns, and then used in the production of a fabric. [Top] |
| Filament | A manufactured fiber of indefinite length (continuous), extruded from the spinneret during the fiber production process. [Top] |
| Fill | Sleeping bag or garment insulation, either made of down or man-made synthetics. Marmot. [Top] |
| Fill Power | The number of cubic inches an ounce of down occupies. Down rated 775-plus fill power is loftier, which means warmer, than 600 fill power down. Marmot. [Top] |
| Fill Weight | The amount of down in a garment or bedding. [Top] |
| Flannel | A medium-weight, plain or twill weave fabric that is typically made from cotton, a cotton blend, or wool. The fabric has a very soft hand, brushed on both sides to lift the fiber ends out of the base fabric and create a soft, fuzzy surface. This process also makes the fabric warmer. [Top] |
| Flash Pocket | Quick-access zippered pockets located right near a jacket's main zipper. As in, " In and out in a . . ." Marmot. [Top] |
| Fleece | A quick-drying, breathable, soft polyester used to make insulative clothing. Fleece-making is quite a process: the polyester is knitted in loops, those loops are cut, and the ends are shaved down to size. The height of the stubble that is left has a lot to do with the weight and insulative power of the fleece. There are different types of fleece in a variety of styles to meet your functionality, warmth, and aesthetic requirements. See polartec( for some examples. Marmot. [Top] |
| Fortrel® | A polyester. Wellman. [Top] |
| Four-way Stretch | A fabric that stretches uniformly for maximum freedom of movement. For molded laminates, four-way stretch allows for maximum depth of draw and molding definition. [Top] |
| Gabardine | A tightly woven, twilled, worsted fabric with a slight diagonal line on the right side. Wool gabardine is known as a year-round fabric for business suiting. It wears extremely well without overheating. Polyester, cotton, rayon, and various blends are also used in making gabardine. [Top] |
| Gaiter | A water-repellent, internal sleeve that can be tightened around boot and lower leg to keep out snow. Although a separate gaiter can be worn outside pants, many mountaineering, ski, and snowboard pants come with integrated gaiters. Marmot. [Top] |
| Garment Dyed | A process of dying a garment after it's been constructed. Seams may have a "worn" look. [Top] |
| Garment Washed | The garment is manufactured and then washed. [Top] |
| Gauge | A unit of measurement usually meaning number of stitches in 1 1/2". The higher the gauge, the smaller the stitch. [Top] |
| Gauntlet | A glove extending beyond the wrist for added warmth and protection, which is especially handy when it comes to snow and wind. Marmot. [Top] |
| Gear Loft | An optional overhead shelf for many of our tents. Keeps gloves, jackets, yellowing paperbacks, you name it, overhead, providing more floor space for bags and tired bodies. Marmot. [Top] |
| Gingham | A medium weight, plain weave fabric made of pure or blended cotton. It has a plaid or check pattern. [Top] |
| GoferHole™ | The opening behind the head in our packs that lets you get to the inside of your pack directly. Kelty. [Top] |
| Gore Direct-Grip® Glove and Mitt Inserts | The Gore-Tex(r) membrane is laminated to a fabric that can be worn directly against the skin, eliminating the need for a bulky floating liner between the shell and hand. The North Face. [Top] |
| Gore-Tex® | A patented composite membrane of two unique polymers. The first polymer is a film containing 9 billion pores per square inch. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a rain drop, but 700 times larger than a molecule of water. It is completely impervious to rain, snow, and sleet and allows perspiration vapor to pass through. The second polymer allows moisture vapor to pass through, but it blocks contamination from body oils, cosmetics, saltwater, and insect repellents that could otherwise affect waterproofness. When used as intended, you can expect it to be waterproof, very breathable, and windproof even when sitting or kneeling on a wet surface. Also, moisture vapor (sweat) generated within will move rapidly to the outside. Gore-Tex(r) outerwear is Gore's most durable protective technology and carries Gore's Guaranteed To Keep You Dry(r) pledge. W.L. Gore. [Top] |
| Gore-Tex® Supplex Taslite | A lightweight and durable 2 layer Gore-Tex(r) made of 100% nylon laminated to waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex(r). Perfect for general outerwear. Alpine Design. [Top] |
| GridStop™ | Our 210 denier high-tenacity nylon fabric with 215 denier Spectra Ripstop grid reinforcing it. A truly excellent lightweight fabric. Kelty. [Top] |
| Gridworks | A unique blend of Supplex(r) Nylon and Lycra(r) creates a new and unique pattern. Lycra(r) maximizes freedom and range of motion while Supplex(r) Nylon promotes strength and durability. The fabric also wicks moisture away from your skin to maintain comfort and dryness. The North Face. [Top] |
| Gripper Elastic | A somewhat gummy, friction-making rubber yarn that's woven into elastic to enhance its hold. You'll find gripper elastic on powder skirts and gaiters to keep them in place. Marmot. [Top] |
| Grommet | A reinforced eyelet as in a garment, through which a fastener is passed. Also used for underarm ventilation. [Top] |
| Gusset | An insert of extra fabric to allow for greater freedom of movement. A gusseted inseam can make the difference between striding across a creek and soaking your approach shoes. [Top] |
| Guy Point | One of several points inside and outside a tent where a line (a guy line) can be attached and then secured to a stake or other anchor in order to increase a tent's structural rigidity. [Top] |
| Guy Rope | The tie-down rope, cable or webbing located at the tent eave; normally located at the side pole. [Top] |
| Hand | The way a fiber (yarn or fabric) feels when handled. Terms like soft, crisp, dry, silky, or harsh are used to describe the hand of a textile material. The type of yarn, fabric construction, and finishing processes used, affect the hand of a fabric. [Top] |
| Harris Tweed | A exclusive fabric created only on the Outer Hebrides Islands of Scotland. It is characterized by its rugged durability, warmth and beautiful earthy colors. [Top] |
| Heathered | A combination of colors to provide a "mottled effect". The use of light and dark (or contrasting) colors for a "mixed" surface. Such as a heathered gray sweatshirt. [Top] |
| Heavy Duty | Footwear term. For serious trekking or backpacking and extended trips over rugged terrain. [Top] |
| Henley | Shirt/Sweaters: A pullover style with a button placket, round neck, and no collar. [Top] |
| Herringbone | A variation on the twill weave construction in which the twill is reversed, or broken, at regular intervals, producing a zig-zag effect. A true herringbone pattern should have the same number of yarns in each direction, right and left, and be evenly balanced overall. [Top] |
| High Volume | Footwear term. A larger toe box for extra toe space and room for heavy socks. [Top] |
| Hollofil® 808 | A high-loft insulation that provides extra warmth. Made from 100% pre-consumer recycled polyester, its hollow core fibers trap more air and allow for optimum warmth and comfort while remaining durable and refluffable. 20% warmer than solid-core insulation of equal weight and more loft per unit of weight. DuPont. [Top] |
| Hollofil® II | A high-loft insulation that offers performance and value. Designed to be compact and soft, yet resilient and refluffable. The DuPont patented blend of four-hole fibers trap more air and allows greater warmth without added weight. Retains warmth when wet and is 20% warmer than unbranded solid-core insulation of equal weight. DuPont. [Top] |
| Hook-and-Loop | Generic Velcro(r). A self-fastening fabric tape having hooks on one side that grip loops on the other side when pressed together. [Top] |
| Houndstooth Check | A variation on the twill weave construction in which a broken check effect is produced by a variation in the pattern of interlacing yarns, utilizing at least two different colored yarns. [Top] |
| Hydrenaline™ Microfiber Polyester | A lightweight, breathable fabric of tightly woven polyester microfiber fillaments that are inherently wind resistant and water repellent. The North Face. [Top] |
| Hydro-to-Go™ | The hydration system holder comprised of a buttonhole opening to thread a water tube through when you store a reservoir in SlabPocket(tm). No more stops on the trail to grab a drink! Kelty. [Top] |
| Hydrophilic Mesh | Wicks moisture away from the body and helps transport it through the micro-pores of a shell fabric. Combined with a waterproof/breathable shell creates an exceptional technical weather system. Alpine Design. [Top] |
| HydroPlus 3000™ | A rainproof version of HydroPlus(tm), at a phenomenal value. A soft nylon taffeta is coated with a denser and thicker polyurethane barrier. A water repellent finish is applied to the outside of the fabric for increased weather protection. All seams are sealed to ensure greater rain protection. Columbia. [Top] |
| HydroPlus™ | This is basic drizzle-wear. Made from soft, supple 100% nylon taffeta, it's coated with a thin, polyurethane barrier, making it extremely wind and weather repellent. HydroPlus(tm) is light, durable and packable. Columbia. [Top] |
| HydroShield Fabric | A completely wind and waterproof outer layer fabric made of lightweight nylon with a waterproof coating. It is used in pants and jackets to keep you protected from the outside elements. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |
| IllumiNite® | Lightweight, wind and water resistant, this revolutionary fabric appears normal by day but at night is reflective over its entire surface providing a6 full silhouette image. Reflective Technologies. [Top] |
| Insole | The footbed of a shoe or boot; the area on which the foot rests. [Top] |
| Insulation | A material used in preventing the transfer of heat, namely body heat. Different types of insulation are fleece and pile, man-made fibers like Primaloft(r) and Polar-guard(r) 3D, and goose down. Marmot. [Top] |
| Interlock Knit | A smooth, firm knit with the same texture on both sides of the fabric. Possesses good wearing qualities. [Top] |
| Interwoven | To weave together; blend. [Top] |
| IronFiber 1000 | This extremely tough nylon fabric was developed for reinforcement in the high abrasion areas of packs. It is durable, rugged, and water resistant. The North Face. [Top] |
| IronFiber 600 | This 100% nylon fabric was developed to be a lightweight rugged pack fabric with great durability and water resistance. The North Face. [Top] |
| ISOPad Belt | Plastifoam belt backed with revolutionary SloMoFoam against your body to even out pressure. Kelty. [Top] |
| Jacquard | A method of weaving or knitting patterns right into fabric, although jacquard patterns are sometimes printed. Material has a raised pattern effect. [Top] |
| Jersey | A generic term for a plain knit fabric without a distinct rib. Characteristically stretchy, breathable, and comfortable. Also known as a single knit. [Top] |
| Karatek Kevlar | A strong but lightweight fabric reinforced with Kevlar for exceptional resistance to tearing. The North Face. [Top] |
| Kevlar® | An incredibly strong fiber used in bullet proof vests and some climbing applications. Strong, lightweight, and high resistance to tearing. [Top] |
| Kevtek Kevlar | Engineered with the most extreme rugged yarns and fibers available, this fabric is practically bulletproof. Woven with nylon, Kevlar, polyester, and glass fiber and finally coated with polyurethane, this material is abrasion and tear-proof and resistant to water penetration. An excellent material for abrasion areas. The North Face. [Top] |
| Khakis | An unusually strong cloth made of cotton, worsted, or linen yarns and blends of man-made fiber. [Top] |
| Knight's Hood | A protective, removable, full-coverage hood for doing battle with the elements. Features size adjustability, a bill, and attaches high on the chest for increased protection. Marmot. [Top] |
| Knit | Fabrics made from only one set of yarns, all running in the same direction. Some knits have their yarns running along the length of the fabric, while others have their yarns running across the width of the fabric. Knit fabrics are held together by looping the yarns around each other. Knitting creates ridges in the resulting fabric. Wales are the ridges that run lengthwise in the fabric; courses run crosswise. Characteristically stretchy and comfortable, common knit fabrics are jersey, interlock and rib knit. [Top] |
| Latex | Natural rubber extruded from the rubber tree. [Top] |
| Latitude Ripstop | Fabric with a soft supple feel and a unique ripstop weave for durability. Highly water resistant because of a durable water repellent finish on the outside and highly wind resistant because of a urethane finish coating inside. Alpine Designs. [Top] |
| Lenzing Modal | A rayon-like material spun from all-natural fibers into microscopic filaments. [Top] |
| Light Duty | Footwear term. For shorter day or weekend hikes. Great for maintained trails. [Top] |
| Linen | A fabric made from linen fibers obtained from inside the woody stem of the flax plant. Linen fibers are much stronger and more lustrous than cotton. Linen fabrics are very cool and absorbent, but wrinkle very easily, unless blended with manufactured fibers. Linen is one of the oldest textile fibers. [Top] |
| Lining | The material closest to your body in a sleeping bag or any piece of performance clothing. Some lining fabrics like DriClime(r) and CoolMax(r) feel good and wick moisture away from the body. Linings can have other duties, too: provide protection for laminates like Gore-Tex(r) fabrics, allow for interior pockets, and keep down feathers inside their baffles. [Top] |
| Litefoam™ | A pattern of interlocking holes is stamped in the core of the foam. This creates a mattress that weighs less and packs smaller. Cascade Designs. [Top] |
| LockDown™ | The adjustable suspension system where shoulder straps are sewn onto a plastic panel that slides up & down on the stays and is anchored (locked) on the sides with Velcro(r). Kelty. [Top] |
| Locker Loop | A small loop of fabric sewn to the back of a garment (at the neckline or yoke). [Top] |
| Loft | An insulated garment or sleeping bag's depth of fill. In general, greater loft retains more (warm) air, which is why expedition-quality sleeping bags and insulated clothing look so dang puffy. Marmot. [Top] |
| Lycra® | A synthetic fiber that offers built-in lasting elasticity and strength. It is always used in combination with another fiber, such as cotton, polyester or nylon. Adding as little as 2% Lycra(r) will improve the comfort, freedom of movement, fit, shape retention, drape, and wrinkle resistance of the apparel. Another benefit is it's long-term resistance to body acids. Lycra(r) is DuPont's version of the generic fiber, spandex. [Top] |
| Madras | A plain weave fabric, usually 100% cotton. White and colored threads of uneven thickness give it a textured look and form a repeating plaid, stripe or minute check. [Top] |
| Melton Wool | A heavily matted, hard, plain cloth. It is dull in appearance and non lustrous. [Top] |
| MemBrain® | A waterproof-breathable film made of a shape-memory polymer that alters its molecular structure with temperature changes. Translation: As your body heat rises, MemBrain(r)-laminated outerwear becomes more porous and therefore more breathable. As your body cools, the film returns to its original form. Smart Fabric Technology® by Marmot. [Top] |
| Membrane | A thin film of porous material. [Top] |
| Mercerized | A process used to increase strength of cotton and its affinity of dyes. It gives the fabric a slight lustre. [Top] |
| Merino wool | This high-quality wool yarn made from the fleece of merino sheep is fine, strong and elastic, and takes dye well. It is the best wool obtained anywhere in the world. In knitting underwear fabrics, the term implies garments made of a mixture of wool. [Top] |
| Mesh | A type of fabric characterized by its net-like open appearance, and the spaces between the yarns. Mesh is available in a variety of constructions including wovens, knits, laces, or crocheted fabrics. [Top] |
| Micro Fleece | An ultra-light, microfiber fleece with superior warmth without extra weight. The tight construction of the advanced microfiber yarn improves wind resistance and reduces drag for activities such as cycling or skiing. Both sides are soft, chamois-like, pill-resistant and durable. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Micro-Lite | 100% lightweight polyester microfiber with a soft, cotton-like hand. Micro-Lite is designed to wick perspiration away from the body and transfer it to the fabric surface where it can evaporate. This fabric combines the comfort of a natural fabric with the moisture management of a high-tech microfiber. [Top] |
| Microclimate | The temperature and humidity level between your body and underwear, or underwear and the next layer of clothing. The purpose of DriClime(r), for example, is to maintain a comfortable microclimate between itself and the skin. Marmot. [Top] |
| Microfiber | Generic term for any synthetic fiber finer than silk. Fabrics made with microfibers are soft, lightweight, breathable and durable. [Top] |
| Micromattique™ | The latest innovative microfiber from DuPont, Micromattique(tm) combines a super-soft touch with exceptional drape, lightweight breathable comfort and resistance to wrinkles. Whether blended with other fibers or used alone, it enhances fabrics and makes them easy to care for. DuPont. [Top] |
| MicroMax | A 30 Denier micro polyester ripstop that is downproof by construction. A perfect sleeping bag shell fabric , it protects goose down from the elements and has a DWR (durable water repellent) finish, tight construction, and great performance. [Top] |
| Micronamics® | A virtually non-pilling, wicking fabric. The North Face. [Top] |
| Microsensor™ Fabric | Part of the Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor(tm) family of fabrics. It has a 15-20% faster moisture-transfer rate than Ultrasensor(tm). Microfilament, hydrophobic polyester yarns speed evaporation. Moisture is pulled away from the skin through a unique capillary action, with larger yarns next to the skin and finer microfilament yarns on the face of the fabric. [Top] |
| MicroTex | this unique 3-ply laminate was developed specifically for single wall tents. A non-woven backing absorbs and holds moisture until it can pass through the laminate membrane and evaporate off the tent wall. The diamond ripstop shell provides extra tear resistance, making this very strong, waterproof, and breathable fabric. The North Face. [Top] |
| Mid Duty | Footwear term. For weekend to week long trekking and backpacking over easy to rough terrain. [Top] |
| Mid Volume | Footwear term. Average toe box for light to medium weight socks. [Top] |
| Modal | A category of natural plant fibers that possess high breaking strength, good breathability, and excellent shape retention when wet. Micro Modal represents fibers spun into microscopic filaments that create a whisper-light fabric with a fluid drape. [Top] |
| Mohair | The silky hair of the angora goat. Characterized by a lustrous sheen and long straight hairs in the weave. [Top] |
| Moleskin | A cotton fabric with a napped (fuzzy) sheared surface: soft, yet durable. [Top] |
| Momme | Silk is measured in Japanese "Momme" weight (MM), equivalent to 3.75 grams. The higher the momme, the heavier the silk. [Top] |
| Moss Micro Fiber Fabric | A waterproof/breathable, lightweight and wind resistant fabric. To increase water repellency, a durable water repellent finish is applied. Alpine Design. [Top] |
| Mouton | Sheep's wool: plush (heavily napped and sheared to a smooth, even surface). [Top] |
| Mule | Slip-on open heel shoe often having a closed toe. [Top] |
| Mummy | The very cozy shape of choice for sleeping bags designed to provide maximum warmth. Wide-mummy bags offer additional volume; the trade-off being the extra sleeping space requires that your body work a little harder to keep the bed warm. Marmot. [Top] |
| Muslin | A wide variety of cotton fabrics. Cloth ranges from lightweight sheers to the heavier weight; firmly woven. [Top] |
| Neoprene | A synthetic rubber that is durable and very resistant to external substances (such as oil). Most common in scuba gear and often used in sportswear and accessories for durability and warmth. [Top] |
| Neotek (Toughgrip) | It's neoprene coated over nylon Cordura(r). Such a recipe makes for a glove fabric that has high tear-strength, good grip, and more abrasion-resistance than Kevlar. Neotek is found on the palms and fingertip areas of gloves. Marmot. [Top] |
| No-See-Um Mesh | Tent mesh so fine that it keeps out the dreaded no-see-ums, those nasty biting midges that are as common to campsites as fire pits. Marmot. [Top] |
| Nonwoven Fabric | Fabrics made directly from individual fibers that are matted together by forming an interlocking web of fibers either mechanically (tangling together) or chemically (gluing, bonding, or melting together). [Top] |
| Nortek | Filament nylon and spandex yarns are woven in a twill construction to provide maximum lightweight, freedom of movement. The face is extremely smooth to repel and shed water. The fabric is laminated with breathable polyurethane to block water penetration. The North Face. [Top] |
| Nubuck | A full grain leather that has been "sanded" on the right side for suede finish. [Top] |
| Nylon | Produced in 1938, the first completely synthetic fiber developed. Known for its high strength and excellent resilience, nylon has superior abrasion resistance and high flexibility. [Top] |
| Nylon Mesh | Chosen for its superior resistance to abrasion, tearing and snagging, this tough nylon mesh is used for external pockets on many of our packs and accessories. [Top] |
| Oil Cloth | Fabric which is treated with linseed-oil varnish to give a patent-leather effect. [Top] |
| Olefin | Fabrics are usually bulky but lightweight, with a wool-like touch. Olefin is quick drying and resistant to deterioration from mildew, rot and perspiration. [Top] |
| Omni-Dry™ Nylon | Developed for hiking, trekking and adventure travel, Omni-Dry Nylon(tm) is a lightweight, crinkled and sanded, plain weave dull yarn nylon. This combination of dull yarns and fabric finishing create an extremely soft cotton-like hand. The exclusive Omni-Dry(tm) process renders superior moisture management in a variety of conditions. Columbia. [Top] |
| Omni-Dry™ Technology | Engineered to be quick drying and provide comfort and performance in a variety of conditions. It keeps the body comfortable and dry by drawing moisture to the fabric face where it can quickly evaporate. Columbia. [Top] |
| Omni-Tech Ceramic™ Coating | The ultimate protection for active users in extreme weather.Ceramic technology increases waterproofing without compromising breathability, meeting the demands of backcountry skiers, mountaineers and backpackers. Omni-Tech/Ceramic provides an absolutely waterproof, breathable and fully seam-sealed barrier guaranteed. Columbia. [Top] |
| Omni-Tech™ | is Columbia Sportswear's exclusive waterproof/breathable technology. It's carefully engineered to not only keep you dry, but also to keep you comfortable even when the weather is miserable. Guaranteed. A microporous coating is applied to the underside of the fabric. Water molecules are too large to penetrate the tiny pores, so you stay dry. In addition, a super durable water repellent finish is added to the outside of the fabric to keep water beading, even after washing. Those same microscopic pores that prevent water from coming in are large enough to allow moisture vapor (perspiration) to escape, preventing you from getting wet from your own sweat. Designed to stop the wind completely and all seams are sealed at the factory for a true waterproof environment. [Top] |
| Oxford | (1.) Soft, stout cotton shirting with small "basketweave" (tiny squares when examined closely). Can be a solid or stripe or may have tiny geometric patterns. (2.) A lace-up style shoe; covers the top of the foot fully with a lacing closure; stops below the ankle. [Top] |
| Pack Pockets | Diagonal-opening chest pockets that can be accessed even when a pack's bulky shoulder straps are hugging your body. Marmot. [Top] |
| Paragon Fabric | A non-pilling polyester combined with Lycra(r) spandex to offer a comfortable fabric with excellent stretch and recovery for an athletic fit. A surface treatment speeds moisture evaporation. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |
| Parka | An outerwear garment that is below the hip line. This may be insulated or uninsulated. It often has a drawcord at the waist & lower edge, also may have a hood. [Top] |
| Patent Leather | This is a leather [Top] |
| Pearl Izumi Light™ Fabric | A superior woven fabric that is quick drying and comfortable. [Top] |
| Percale | (1.) Dress percale is a medium-weight, printed cotton cloth with a firm, smooth finish. (2.) Sheet percale is fine, smooth, lustrous, and highly textured. A very high grade sheeting. [Top] |
| Perfecta Cloth™ | Made with a Tactel(r) nylon fiber, it is basic windwear with a soft, more cotton-like hand. When coated the fabric is best used as outerwear with superior ability to shed water; uncoated the fabric is perfect for summer. Columbia. [Top] |
| Pigment Dyed | A process in which additional substance is added to bulk up the dye. Excess is washed out to give the fabric a worn, used appearance. [Top] |
| Pile | Insulative pile is not a member of the fleece family. Rather than being one stretch of knit fabric, pile is made of cut staple fiber that's placed into a knit matrix. The fibers can stand taller than fleece tufts, so pile garments can be warmer. Marmot. [Top] |
| Pilling | The formation of groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of a fabric, which are tangled together in the shape of a tiny ball called a pill. [Top] |
| Pima Cotton | A variety of American-Egyptian cotton, grown in Southwestern U.S.; long staple cotton used for woven and knit fabrics. Very strong. [Top] |
| Pinpoint | Finely, tightly woven oxford cloth; finer texture than a basic oxford cloth having a soft, silky feel yet retaining the durability of a heavier weave. [Top] |
| Pinwale | A very narrow ridge or rib in a fabric (from 16 to 23 wales to the inch) for example [Top] |
| Pitch | The vertical distance of a tent measured from the eave to the top of the tent roof. [Top] |
| Pittards® | A highly durable trademark leather used in gloves. The company's WR100X permanent tanning process, leaving the hides very water-resistant (hence less spongelike), as well as breathable, quick-drying, and eternally soft. Marmot. [Top] |
| PitZips® | Zippered openings in the armpits of our jackets. Since rising heat and moisture can well up in the armpits, it's an obvious place to seek all the ventilation one can get. PitZips(r) have protective double-flaps to keep out precipitation. Marmot. [Top] |
| Placket | Additional fabric sewn on the edge of a sleeve, collar, sofa cushion, etc. that gives the appearance of a rolled edge; decorative as well as functional (controls fraying) [Top] |
| Platypus® Hydration System | Flexible bottles and reservoirs that fit into tight spaces. No plastic taste due to beverage-grade polyethylene liner. Very light and durable. Drinking tube creates hands-free hydration system. Cascade Designs. [Top] |
| Pointelle | Very feminine, delicate-looking rib knit fabric made with a pattern of openings. [Top] |
| Polar fleece | A fleece-back jersey fabric. [Top] |
| Polarguard® | Used for insulation. The registered name of a continuous filament fiber manufactured in bats (sheets of fiber, not loose fibers). The long intertwine fibers do not shift, mat or clump. Non-allergenic, mildew resistant, and retains most of its loft when wet. [Top] |
| Polarguard® 3D | Insulation that is as durable as earlier generations of Polarguard(r), yet is softer, so it is more compressible. It also has less weight for the same loft. Made of 100% polyester, it absorbs very little moisture, reatining loft even if wet. It is easily stored and laundered, non-allergenic, and mildew resistant. [Top] |
| Polarguard® HV | Used for insulation. A hollow continuous fiber that is 25% lighter than standard Polarguard(r) and more compressible for backpacking and expedition use. The fibers trap a greater quantity of air for their weight than the usual solid synthetic fibers, creating a superior warmth-to-weight ratio. It absorbs very little moisture and if it does become wet, it continues to retain its loft and dries very quickly. Durable, won't mildew, is easily laundered and stored, and is non-allergenic. [Top] |
| Polarized Lenses | Polyvinyl alcohol sheet sandwiches between sheets of lens material to reduce glare. [Top] |
| Polartec® 100 Series Fleece | (5.5oz./yd²) This double velour fleece provides great insulation for its weight. Ideal for layering or on its own, this fleece wicks moisture away from the body for quick drying, making it comfortable for high-aerobic activities. An anti-bacterial finish resists odor-causing bacteria. Malden Mills [Top] |
| Polartec® 100M Series Microfiber Fleece | (5.5oz/yd²) A high performance microfiber fleece with excellent warmth-to-weight characteristics, even when wet. This fleece fabric dries quickly, launders well, resists piling, and is both hypoallergenic and odorless. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Polartec® 100M Series with Stretch Flecce | (5.2oz/yd²) A high performance microfiber fleece with ESP (Extra Stretch Performance) for additional stretch in the fabric. The fleece offers lightweight warmth for use next to the skin or in a layering system. It launders well, resists pilling, wicks moisture for quick drying and is hypoallergenic and odorless. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Polartec® 200 Series Fleece | (8oz/yd²) Finished on both sides for maximum durability, Polartec(r) 200 has excellent insulating properties. The fleece stays warm when wet, is hypoallergenic, odorless and easy to clean. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Polartec® 200S Series Fleece | (7oz/yd²) A 94% Polyester / 6% Lycra(r) stretch fleece fabric that is an excellent insulator with superior stretch capabilities. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Polartec® 300 Series Recycled Fleece | (10.5oz/yd²) Made from 89% recycled polyester, mostly from plastic bottles. Finished on both sides for maximum durability. Same insulation properties and luster as virgin polyester. The fleece is warm when wet, hypoallergenic, odorless and easy to clean. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Polartec® Bipolar 200 Series Fleece | (8oz/yd²) A double-sided fleece fabric with a dense low-shear velour that sheds light rain and snow. The opposite shearling side traps air close to the body, creating thermal insulation. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Polartec® Powerstretch Fleece | (6.6oz/yd²) This fleece is engineered with Lycra(r) to provide four-way stretch for maximum freedom of movement. Brushed polyester inside and denser nylon outside work together to pull moisture away fast. Nylon outer surface also adds abrasion resistance, tear strength, and wind resistance. Anti-microbial finish. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| PolePilot™ | Our unbroken tent pole sleeves that make our tents so easy to set up. Kelty. [Top] |
| Polycarbonate | Thermoplastics (always injection molded) used for sunglass lenses that are lightweight and shatterproof (but not considered safety glass). Not as scratch resistant as optical glass lenses. [Top] |
| Polyester | A manufactured fiber introduced in the early 1950s, and is second only to cotton in worldwide use. Polyester has high strength (although somewhat lower than nylon), resists wrinkling, stretching, shrinking, and has a high abrasion resistance. Its low moisture absorbency allows the fiber to dry quickly. Polyester will retain heat-set pleats. [Top] |
| Polyfill | A polyester fiber used as a base for quilting for texture and/or insulation. [Top] |
| Polymer | A chemical compound or mixture of compounds consisting of repeating structural units (molecules). This synthetic substance is used as a base, a coating or a fabric because it's very durable and wear resistant. [Top] |
| Polypropylene | Synthetic, long chain polymer fiber that will not absorb moisture, but will "wick" moisture away from the skin quickly. High heat ,an iron or a dryer can welt or damage this fiber. Usually used in performance outerwear. [Top] |
| Polyurethane | A manmade fiber or thermoplastic resin with a low melting point, high strength, and durability. It may be woven fabric, a waterproof coating applied to the inside of fabric, a waxlike finish used to coat another fabric, or a rubber-like substance (as used in the soles of footwear). [Top] |
| Polyurethane Coating | Polymer-based. In its heavy waterproof / nonbreathable form, it's used in objects like tents and packs. In its lighter, microporous, breathable form, it's used in outerwear. [Top] |
| Pongee | This plain-weave fabric is found in prints and solids. A lightweight material. [Top] |
| Poplin | A very fine rib weave distinguishes this hard wearing, medium-weight fabric. [Top] |
| Powder Skirt | Attached to the linings of some parkas, it's basically a gaiter for the midsection: a water-repellent, nylon skirt with gripper elastic that can be fastened around your stomach to keep out the (deep) snow and keep the heat in. Marmot. [Top] |
| Power Stretch Fleece® | Engineered to provide body-hugging, four-way stretch for maximum freedom of movement in a variety of rugged, action sports. It is constructed with two unique technical surfaces on each side of the fabric: a durable, non-pill nylon outer surface for resistance to abrasion from rocks and tree branches; and a soft, low pile velour inner surface that wicks and siphons moisture away from the body to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Primaloft® | A microfibrous polyester insulation so close to its down competitor in terms of structure, warmth, and feel that it's earned the moniker, "Patented Synthetic Down." Primaloft(r) is lightweight, durable, very compressible, and unlike those down plumules, highly water repellent. [Top] |
| PVC | Poly vinyl chloride: a firm rubber-like plastic. [Top] |
| PVC™ | Totally waterproof protection, PVC (polyvinylchloride) is traditional rubber rainwear. A basic nylon taffeta fabric is coated with 0.1 mm of PVC. All seams are welded and sealed, preventing leakage. Stitched and welded in all stress areas, the seams provide added reinforcement for work and play in the worst of downpours. Columbia. [Top] |
| Quallofil® | A high loft insulation that's the alternative to down. Engineered to deliver the optimum balance of compactibility, warmth, and durability. DuPont's Quallofil(r) provides superior warmth and softness due to patented seven-hole fibers that hold more air. Warmth when wet plus superior drying power. Extraordinary warmth and performance without extra weight. DuPont. [Top] |
| Quilting | A fabric construction in which a layer of down or fiberfill is placed between two layers of fabric, and then held in place by stitching or sealing in a regular, consistent, all-over pattern on the goods. [Top] |
| Ragg | Yarn that is produced by twisting 2 colored strands with one natural strand. Common in socks, this may be cotton, wool, or blends. Wool yarns are often combined with 15% nylon for durability. Only new yarn is used. [Top] |
| Rain Fly | A "tent" term: an additional piece of fabric (attached or unattached) used to protect the tent opening from the elements. [Top] |
| Rain Gutter | A device to keep the water out. Found on a jackets storm flap. Marmot. [Top] |
| Ramie | Natural fiber from the ramie plant. Looks and feels similar to linen. Lustrous and absorbent. It's usually blended with cotton for extra softness. [Top] |
| Rand | An extra piece of rubber wrapped around the bottom of a boot or shoe just above the connection between the upper and the sole. It is designed to protect the upper from excessive wear at the pressure points created from the foot within the boot. It also aids when stepping in puddles. [Top] |
| Randonnée (ran-do-nay) | Designed for long, arduous, technical days on any mountain, whether you're in the backcountry or under the lifts. Inspired by Randonnée skiing which is a hybrid of both cross-country and downhill, thanks to a ski binding that functions whether your heel is affixed or not. Marmot. [Top] |
| Rayon | A manufactured fabric from cellulose. This lustrous, soft yarn is found blended with many other fibers, or alone in a smooth, lightweight weave. It is highly absorbent and versatile, yet deteriorates in UV light. [Top] |
| Removable Ski Loops | In addition to tents having stake loops, they come with extra-large anchoring loops to secure around skis, rocks, or other big items. You'll appreciate ski loops when camping on soft snow or sand, where stakes don't hold. Marmot. [Top] |
| Ribbed | Produced lines of wales on both sides of the fabric. It is very elastic and comfortably hugs the body; is used for cuffs, socks, etc. [Top] |
| RingMaster™ | The aluminum ring around our PortalPocket(tm) that keeps it from exploding gear when you open it. Kelty. [Top] |
| Ripstop | Fabric woven with double thread at regular intervals to achieve small squares that prevent tears from spreading; usually applies to nylon or polyester. Found in outerwear, sleeping bags, packs and tents. [Top] |
| Scherer Cinch™ | A pulley-like system that doubles your waistbelt tightening force. Kelty. [Top] |
| Scuff Guards | Patches of high-tenacity fabrics such as Cordura(r) or Ballistics cloth placed across the lower-leg inseams of ski and mountaineering pants. Scuff guards deter ski boots, crampon teeth, and ski edges from chewing up your pant's inner legs. Marmot. [Top] |
| Seam sealing | A process in which the stitch line is made leak proof by the application of seam tape or seam sealing glues. [Top] |
| Seam Tape | A waterproof tape applied over up seams. For tents or performance outerwear to claim maximum protection against water, seams must be taped. Gore-Tex(r) products have included seam tape for almost 20 years. Marmot. [Top] |
| Seersucker | Lightweight cloth; alternates smooth and puckered stripes for a crinkled effect. Durable and does not need ironing after laundering. [Top] |
| Sensifit System | Anchors the foot to the midsole and keeps it properly aligned offering maximum foothold and support. Salomon. [Top] |
| SFM™ | Single Frequency Modulation. The increasing of insulation thickness & warmth in specific areas of a sleeping bag by sewing the insulation shingles closer. Kelty. [Top] |
| Shaker Knit | A term given to a sweater made from a plain 1X1 rib stitch of heavy yarn (cotton, wool, synthetic, or a blend). [Top] |
| Shank | Footwear term: a piece of firm material (such as steel or fiberglass) that runs from the ball of the foot to the heel, between the insole and midsole, for added support. [Top] |
| Shearling | Natural wool fleece from sheep. High quality shearling is characterized by sheep leather " with the wool left on." Some mock shearlings sew either real or synthetic wool to real or synthetic leather. [Top] |
| Shell | The outermost material in a sleeping bag or performance clothing. Shell fabrics vary because different demands require different qualities. Characteristics among shell fabrics might include abrasion resistance, suppleness, light weight, water-repellency, compactibility, and downproofness, just to name a few. Marmot. [Top] |
| Shok Technology® Cord | Engineered for mountaineering, Shok(r) cord uses the highest grade elastic, a cotton inner to wick moisture, and a highly durable, double-braided, nylon sheath. You'll be a believer when your poles snap into place at 40 below. Marmot. [Top] |
| Silent Rain™ | Innovation in high performance hunting apparel has produced Silent Rain(tm), a naturally water-repellent, non-pilling, burr-proof and totally silent 100% polyester fabric. To ensure total weather protection, a high-performance Omni-Tech(tm) waterproof/breathable film is laminated to the base fabric. All seams are seam sealed with waterproof tape for a durable, comfortable and quiet garment for big game and waterfowl hunting. Columbia. [Top] |
| Silicone | Generic name for an organic chemical used to protect fabrics and leathers from spotting soiling, and moisture. [Top] |
| Silk | A natural filament fiber produced by the silkworm in the construction of its cocoon. Most silk is collected from cultivated worms; Tussah silk, or wild silk, is a thicker, shorter fiber produced by worms in their natural habitat. All silk comes from Asia, primarily China. Silk is a luxurious, lustrous fabric. [Top] |
| Silk Noile | A fabric produced from natural fibers; breathable and durable. Woven from long and short fibers and may have different finishes and textures. [Top] |
| Silky Taffeta | This soft, lightweight, tightly woven nylon is downproof by construction. It is Highly breatable, allowing down to loft to full capacity. [Top] |
| Single Knit | A fabric knitted on a single needle machine. This fabric has less body, substance, and stability when compared with double knit. [Top] |
| Single-Wall Construction | A style of tent construction. The single wall must be both breathable and waterproof, a job accomplished by two walls in a double-wall tent. Single-wall tent advantages: Compactibility, light weight, ease of setup. Marmot. [Top] |
| Siped | Footwear term: Traction Tread; "razor-cut" tread that produces a surface with a smooth look but gripping tread that is exposed as you walk and bend the shoe. Used primarily for deck shoes. [Top] |
| Sirocco Fleece™ Fabric | A windproof, breathable laminate is sandwiched between two layers of soft polyester fleece. Very breathable. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |
| Skort | "Shorts/skirts" a short divided skirt (or wide legged shorts with the appearance of a skirt). [Top] |
| SlabPocket™ | A pouch inside a packbag, against the back for holding dense items close. A real packing aid that keeps your weight distribution close to the body and helps organize the inside of your pack. Great for stowing hydration systems. Accessible through main compartment or via the GoferHole(tm). Kelty. [Top] |
| Slant Wall or Slant Box | Sleeping bag construction term: this construction is a series of baffles sewn parallel to one another between the outer and inner fabric shells. These form parallelogram tubes which contain the fill (down or synthetic). Because there are no sewn-through seams (from the outer to inner shell), cold spots are not formed. The shape also allows the fill to loft well. [Top] |
| Smart Fabric Technology® | Fabrics that react and adjust to ambient conditions. MemBrain(r) waterproof laminate, which changes shape to become more breathable as the temperature inside your clothing rises, is the first Smart Fabric Technology(r). Marmot. [Top] |
| SolarMax® | This nylon promotes superior ultraviolet resistance for use in outdoor fabrics, such as tents. DuPont. [Top] |
| Spandex | Generic name for synthetic fiber that offers great stretch, good strength and abrasion resistance, and long-term resistance to body acids; always used in combination with another fiber, such as cotton, polyester or nylon. DuPont's Lycra(r) is the most well-known brand of spandex. [Top] |
| Spandura | DuPont Cordura(r) filaments spun around a stretchy Lycra(r) core. A highly abrasion resistant, durable stretch fabric. [Top] |
| Spandura Twill | Cordura(r) is combined with spandex for powerful stretch in a highly durable fabric. Excellent tear strength and abrasion resistance rarely seen in a stretch fabric. A polyurethane coating is applied for waterproofness. The North Face. [Top] |
| Spectra™ | Linearized, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material. Pound for pound ten times stronger than steel, and five times stronger than Kevlar. Can be used solely or woven with nylon. Kelty. [Top] |
| Spectrum | An ideal fabric for packs because of its excellent tear strength and good abrasion resistance. The North Face. [Top] |
| SPF | The acronym for sun-protection factor, or how many times longer you can stay in the sun before beginning to burn with protection (as in clothing or sunscreen) than without it. Cotton T-shirts and other light clothing have low SPFs that are often further compromised when wet. Marmot. [Top] |
| Staytek™ | a custom weave, low-slip fabric used widely on sleeping pads. Cascade Designs. [Top] |
| Stonewashed | Garments washed with pumice stone or other materials to produce a soft, worn look with color variations. [Top] |
| Storm Flap | A protective flap over an external pant or jacket zipper to keep out the elements. Many garments have more than one storm flap, and individual zippers may have two overlapping flaps for supreme protection. Marmot. [Top] |
| Stretch Mesh | This remarkable 4-way stretch nylon Lycra(r) mesh gets its dramatic stretch properties from both the yarn and knit pattern. It has the ability to expand to large capacities and return to its original shape when not in use. The North Face. [Top] |
| Suede | Any kind of leather, usually heavy leather, that has been split. After splitting, the leather goes through an abrasive process to form a napped (soft fuzzy) surface. [Top] |
| Sumatra Cloth | Supplex(r) yarns in a plain weave construction give this fabric superior strength for its weight. Sanded for extra softness and treated with Vaporwick(tm) for quick drying and comfort. The North Face. [Top] |
| Super Microfiber | A polyester microfiber used as the shell and lining for sleeping bags. It's highly water-, wind-, and UV-resistant as well as being lightweight and breathable. The North Face. [Top] |
| Supplex® | A state of the art nylon fabric. Engineered to provide the soft, supple touch of cotton with the strength, durability and performance advantages of nylon. It is flexible, lightweight and softer than standard nylon fabrics. It won't shrink, wrinkle, or fade. It resists abrasions, punctures, and tears. It's also breathable and odor-, wind-, and water-resistant. Very fast drying. DuPont. [Top] |
| Supplex® Taslan® Gore-Tex® 2-Ply Fabric | Densely woven texturized nylon yarns create a soft, flexible fabric with excellent strength and abrasion resistance. Laminated to the Gore-Tex(r) membrane, the fabric is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to shed water. [Top] |
| Tactel Nylon | A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is a long chain synthetic which is made into fibers and woven into fabric making it much more durable. [Top] |
| Taffeta | A firm, close weave that usually has a luster. Its feel is crisp and smooth. [Top] |
| Tarlatan | Thick or thin scrim or muslin that is heavily starched, course, and net-like in appearance. [Top] |
| Tartan | Originally from Scotland and used to distinguish clans; Made from wool or cotton cloth in a multicolored twill weave plaid pattern. [Top] |
| Taslan | A very lightweight form of Cordura(r) used to create fabrics recognized by a cottony feel, lightweight, durability, and abrasion resistance. [Top] |
| TDC Fabric | A waterproof/breathable fabric constructed of a soft durable textured rip-stop nylon and a high tech microporous coating. The pores are 400 times smaller than a water droplet but 10,000 times larger than a water vapor molecule. These properties control the body's micro-climate, allowing body heat to escape, while keeping the user dry. Ideal for a variety of outdoor activities such as: hiking, cycling, fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing. Alpine Design. [Top] |
| Tecni-Dry™ | A waterproof, breathable system that keeps feet dry inside while allowing moisture from perspiration to pass through to the outside. Technica. [Top] |
| Teflon® | A fabric protector undetectable by sight, smell or touch. It delivers durable, long -lasting protection by forming a molecular shield around the fibers guarding them from oil-and-water based stains, dust and soil. DuPont. [Top] |
| Tekware™ | Lightweight, quick drying fabrics that won't shrink or mildew and are wrinkle resistant. They are also less likely to tear, abrade, or unravel. Engineered to protect from the elements without hampering freedom of movement. The North Face. [Top] |
| Tenacity | Relates to the breaking strength of fibers, and should not be confused with modulus, which relates more directly with a fiber's ability to resist stretch. Tenacity is the tensile stress at rupture of a fiber expressed in grams of force per denier. [Top] |
| Tencel® | A trademark of Tencel Ltd for their brand of Lyocell, a high-performance fiber used to make breathable, absorbent fabrics with a soft, fluid drape. All-natural Tencel is made from wood pulp that is harvested from replenished tree farms, so it's environmentally responsible. Manufactured in peach or lustrous silk finishes. [Top] |
| Tent Fly | The waterproof nylon or polyester wall stretched over a tent's canopy and structure to keep its occupants and contents dry. Marmot. [Top] |
| Terry Cloth | A woven fabric, usually cotton, with loop pile on one or both sides. Common in towels and robes. [Top] |
| TexGrip | A polyester fleece base fabric coated with PVC to provide a fine texture with a high grip strength surface. The North Face. [Top] |
| Thermal | A waffle-textured knit, well-known for its warmth, now gains popularity as a sportswear favorite. [Top] |
| Thermal Stretch Fleece® | Engineered for use in water sports and fast-moving action sports such as cycling and skiing. Excellent thermal insulation, as well as body-hugging stretch and aerodynamic design. Thermal Stretch(r)(tm) combines four key properties: a water repellent, abrasion-resistant face; a breathable membrane for protection from wind and water; four-way stretch for a steamlined fit and freedom of movement; and a thermal lining with wicking and siphoning properties. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Thermastat® | A high performance fabric that provides excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and helps regulate body temperature. Its superior wicking ability moves moisture away from the body to maintain a dry, next-to-skin environment. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermax® | A polyester fiber with the feel of cotton. Used for its insulating properties. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermolene™ | A trademarked fabric used primarily in underwear and outdoor clothing: a blended polyester knit that wicks moisture quickly, repels odors, washes and dries in the machine quickly, and retains body heat well. [Top] |
| Thermolite Microtherm™ Lining | A high performance microfiber which is warmer than conventional linings and wicks moisture more quickly. [Top] |
| Thermolite® | An insulation fabric. A thin batting type material made of fine denier fibers that trap still air to keep heat in and cold air out. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermolite® Active | A superior thin insulation for high activity, movement, and warmth. Made from 80% pre-consumer recycled polyester, it offers maximum warmth at minimum thickness and more warmth and durability than other thin insulations, especially when wet. A perfect choice for high activity outerwear. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermolite® Extreme | A high tech insulation for ultimate warmth. Engineered to provide maximum warmth at minimum weight and offer superior compactibility and durability. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermolite® Micro | Insulation for down-like softness and warmth without bulk. Made from a patented blend of fine microfibers, it is superior at blocking heat loss. Lightweight comfort and compactibility, warmth when wet, and better durability than down. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermolite® Plus | A lightweight insulation designed for cold weather warmth. Made from 80% pre-consumer recycled polyester, Thermolite(r) is a third warmer than thin insulations of equal weight. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermoloft® | An insulation fabric. A medium loft Dacron polyester "layered" fabric. A mix of solid core micro fibers and hollow mini-fingers surrounded by a strong, low density batting to trap insulating "still" air. DuPont. [Top] |
| Thermore™ | A fabric of blended polyolefin (polyesters with resins): a thin batting insulation that provides warmth without bulk. [Top] |
| Thermostat™ | A trademarked knit fabric of blended polyesters: retains body heat, wicks moisture away quickly, machine wash and dry, and repels odors. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ | A micro fiber insulation in batt form providing the approximate warmth of other material twice as thick: lots of warmth without bulkiness. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ Insulation for Bedding | is lofty, warm, and hypo-allergenic. It is specifically designed for domestic comforters, duvets, and bedspreads. It provides more warmth, with less weight, than other synthetic insulations. It is breathable and moisture resistant with excellent wash durability. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ Insulation Type B | developed for footwear products is designed to resist compression while maintaining warmth under moderate pressures. The fibers absorb less than 1% by weight of water and retain their insulation ability in damp conditions. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ Insulation Type C | offers about one and one-half times the warmth of down and nearly twice the warmth of high loft fiberfill insulation when comparing equal thickness. Used extensively in the outerwear and skiwear industries, Type C is breathable, moisture resistant and cleanable by washing or dry cleaning, depending on the individual manufacturer's recommendation's for care of the shell. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ Insulation with Recycled Fibers | is made from 50% recycled polyester fibers which contain a minimum of 27% post-consumer waste and 50% polyolefin (polyesters with resins). This insulation provides the same warmth and performance as original Type C insulation. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ Lite Loft™ Insulation | is a unique insulation that provides warmth without weight along with a soft hand. It is ideal for use in all styles of outerwear and accessories as well as in sleeping bags. It is made of a blend of polyester and polyolefin (polyesters with resins) fine denier fibers. It retains its insulating ability in damp conditions and is easily dried. Thinsulate Lite Loft insulation is hypo-allergenic and washable in cold water, delicate cycle. [Top] |
| Thinsulate™ Ultra Insulation | is a premium insulation that offers a mid-loft alternative for outerwear, sportswear, gloves and accessories that require a more supple hand. Composed of 55% polyester and 45% polyolefin, it is highly flexible and designed for use where a mid-loft insulation is important, such as in fashion-oriented products. [Top] |
| TopoG™ Fabric | A Spandura(r)/Cordura(r) fabric featuring an innovative rip-stop knit construction. Incredibly durable. [Top] |
| Topstitching | Stitching detail parallel to the edge of seam, dart or pleat on the outside of the fabric. Usually one as a styling detail, sometimes added for strength to a stress point. [Top] |
| Toughtek 6000® | also known as Newgrip. It's a polyester knit fabric with a rubbery PVC coating for excellent grip, come wet weather or dry, as well as added abrasion resistance. Marmot. [Top] |
| Toughtek® | The registered name of a polyvinyl fabric with the look and feel of natural suede. Extremely durable and abrasion resistant. [Top] |
| Treadgrip | A strong plain weave fabric coated with PVC for texture and abrasion resistance. The North Face. [Top] |
| Trilam Belt | Three layer belt with a firm PlastiFoam back, EVA core, and a reticulated foam against your body. Offers solid support and comfort. Kelty. [Top] |
| Triplepoint Ceramic® | A waterproof,breathable fabric where the coating hooks directly into the weave of the outer fabric so it can't peel off, even under heavy use. This coating prevents water droplets from penetrating the fabric, yet allows water vapor to escape. Extra cavities created by ceramic particles enhance the process. TPC 1600 and Quad are more abrasion resistant than 1200. TPC 1600PF has a softer, suppler feel. Lowe Alpine. [Top] |
| Triptease Lightline™ | A reflective 2mm tent guyout cord that has a 188 pound breaking strength and weighs half of what most cords weigh. Kelty. [Top] |
| Tropical Wool | Lightweight, well twisted and smooth year round wool from sheep fleece. [Top] |
| Tundra Pile | This polyester patterned fleece is extremely warm and soft to the touch. A high pile surface helps to insulate making this fabric ideal for added warmth in cool weather. The North Face. [Top] |
| Tunnel Hood | A hood with extended side panels to provide additional peripheral protection against the elements. Marmot. [Top] |
| Tweed | Originally a coarse, heavy weight, rough surfaced wool fabric for outerwear, woven in Scotland. The term is now applied to fabrics made in a wide range of weights and qualities, generally from woollen spun yarns. [Top] |
| Twill | A fabric that shows a distinct diagonal wale on the face (e.g., denim, gabardine, tricotine.) [Top] |
| Two-Way Stretch | The ability of a knit or woven fabric to stretch vertically or horizontally. [Top] |
| Two-Way Zipper | A zipper with two sliders so that you can open a garment or sleeping bag from the bottom or top. In sleeping bags, two-way zippers give you venting options; ditto with jackets, where you also can open the zipper from the southern end for additional mobility. Pant legs can have two-ways, too: It's the only way to remove a layer without removing a boot. Marmot. [Top] |
| Ultrasensor® Fabric | High-performance, moisture-transfer fabrics. Features hydrophobic polyester yarns to speed evaporation, one-way capillary moisture-moving action, and larger yarns next to the skin and finer yarns on the face. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |
| Ultrex® | A waterproof, windproof, durable and extremely breathable fabric system. A microporous coating is applied to the underside of the fabric, producing either a white or gray backing. It is small enough to block out wind and rain, yet large enough to permit perspiration vapor molecules to escape. A durable finish causes water to bead up on the outside to keep the fabric dry. Ultrex(r) can be applied to any fabric, but is usually applied to Supplex(r). Burlington Industries, Inc. [Top] |
| Unilateral™ Compression | A multi-pulley compression giving a 6:1 compression advantage, and extremely uniform compression of the packbag. Kelty. [Top] |
| UV | Refers to ultraviolet radiation. There are 3 kinds of ultraviolet light: (1.) UVC- Wavelengths effectively absorbed by the ozone layer. (2.) UVB- in the range to cause sunburn and "snow-blindness". (3.) UVA- Borders on the visible spectrum of light; long term exposure can cause certain eye disease. [Top] |
| Vamp | The part of the shoe or boot upper covering the forepart of the foot and sometimes extending forward over the toe to the back seam of the upper. [Top] |
| Vapor Mesh | Polyester mesh constructed to promote maximum capillary action. Moisture from the body is quickly transported to the outside of the mesh for quick drying. The backside is lightly brushed to provide a soft hand. The North Face. [Top] |
| Vaporator | A polyester warp knit liner fabric with excellent wicking and thermal characteristics. The face is brushed for a soft hand and to additional warmth. The North Face. [Top] |
| VaporWick™ Jersey | This soft spun polyester jersey is extremely durable. It resists pilling, shrinking, and fading. Unlike cotton jerseys, this performs, rapidly moving moisture away from the body to promote quick drying. The North Face. [Top] |
| VaporWick™ Performance Interlock | A soft spun polyester interlock that is pill and shrink resistant. This heavyweight knit provides extra warmth and is treated with VaproWick(tm) to pull moisture away from your body, keeping you dry and comfortable. The North Face. [Top] |
| VaporWick™ Pique | This technical and comfortable polyester fabric is soft with shrink and fade resistance for durability. Additionally, a VaporWick(tm) finish on this fabric moves moisture along the fibers and away from your skin to keep you dry and comfortable. The North Face. [Top] |
| VaporWick™ Rib | This unique polyester rib knit provides performance and comfort. The fabric is treated with a VaporWick(tm) finish to wick moisture away from your skin. The fabric is also extremely durable, shrink and pill resistant. The North Face. [Top] |
| Vaulted™ Pole Sleeve | A very rigid pole sleeve system. Poles run in unbroken sleeve tubes attached to the tent by spacers, so air can flow freely between the tent and fly. Gives structure, strength, and ventilation. Kelty. [Top] |
| Velcro® | The ubiquitous, trademark nylon fabric used on flaps, straps, sleeping bag collars, cuffs, hoods basically anything that needs be repeatedly pulled apart and reattached. Velcro(r) is really two fabrics that are incomplete alone: One piece has small hooks, the other has small loops. Separate Velcro(r) and you're ripping hooks from loops hence the distinct noise. Generic versions known as hook and loop fasteners and touch fasteners. [Top] |
| Velour | Plush fabric comparable to cotton velvet but with a greater and denser pile. Very soft and pleasing to touch. [Top] |
| Velveteen | A cotton fabric with a short, close pile like velvet. [Top] |
| Versatech | Water repellent, wind resistant, comfortable, breathable fabric, ideal for high energy outdoor sports. More breathable, but less water resistant than Ultrex. [Top] |
| Vestibule | A floorless, covered area in front of a tent door that's perfect shelter for mud-caked boots and grungy gear. Marmot. [Top] |
| Vibram | The number one selling soles in the world. They offer a huge variety designed for every aspect of footwear tractional needs. The Vibram yellow label sole is the industry standard around the world. The yellow label designates a particular blend of rubber that is high in carbon to enhance the durability yet still provides the soft stickiness needed to grip smooth rock. There are dozens of tread patterns and lug depths available for every kind of boot in the yellow label blend. Each pattern was designed with specific purposes in mind. [Top] |
| Vinyl | A non woven fabric which can be made to form a slick shiny surface or to resemble leather. Extremely strong. [Top] |
| Virgin Wool | New wool that has never been used before. No fibers added which have been previously spun. [Top] |
| Wale | A series of even ribs in a fabric. Preceded by a number indicating the number of wales (ribs) per inch. The larger the number, the smaller the ribs. Especially used to describe corduroy. [Top] |
| Washed Cotton | Cotton fabric washed prior to construction (soft and preshrunk). [Top] |
| Washed Silk | This is natural silk put through a washing process which produces a fabric with a more textured (less slippery) finish than standard silk. The colors are typically more muted in tone. "Sand washed silk" has also been washed with sand and chemicals for soft textured finish. [Top] |
| Water-resistant Digital Leather | Digital leather is 60% more water resistant than conventional water-resistant cowhides and offers improved insulation. Digital weather has a better grip than other leathers. Its uniquely stable structure means it does not become slippery when wet. It retains, or even increases, its grip under these adverse conditions. The North Face. [Top] |
| Wax Cotton | A cotton fabric that has been coated to be water resistant. This coating can be a true wax base or may be polyurethane. One of the first waterproofing methods for fabric. [Top] |
| Weatherguard 2LG | Constructed of 100% texturized polyester laminated to waterproof, breathable, Gore-Tex(r). One of the softest, quietest and most drapable of laminated fabrics providing a warm breathable and durable shield against the elements. Alpine Design. [Top] |
| Weatherstop Select Taslan | A soft and durable 100% taslanized nylon fabric micro coated inside with Teflon(r), which makes it water resistant and windproof. The outside is coated with a durable water repellent finish for added water repellency. Alpine design. [Top] |
| Weaving | The process of forming a fabric on a loom by interlacing the warp (lengthwise yarns) and the weft(crosswise yarns) with each other. [Top] |
| Webbing | A strong, narrow, tightly woven nylon strip material used to make pack straps, tent loops, lash straps, seat belts, and the like. Marmot. [Top] |
| Weft | The yarns which run horizontally (or fill) in woven goods. [Top] |
| Wicking | Pulling moisture and sweat away from the skin and dispersing it throughout a material; a critical attribute in high-performance base layers. The quicker and more efficiently wicking occurs, the warmer the garment. [Top] |
| Windbloc® Fleece | The warmth and comfort of plush velour with a windproof, breathable barrier and a durable, water-repellent finish. Windbloc(r) provides all-weather protection and comfort by minimizing heat loss from wind and water. The non-pilling velour provides durable performance and good looks. Malden Mills. [Top] |
| Windstopper® | A Gore membrane engineered to maintain warmth with less insulation. It is laminated to highly air-permeable fabrics such as knit or fleece. Windstopper(r) fleece is up to two and a half times warmer outdoors than ordinary fleece, yet it's comfortable indoors, too. Windstopper(r) does just what it says, provides a windproof barrier and has excellent breathability and wicking properties. W.L. Gore. [Top] |
| Wingtip | Traditionally a lace-up oxford style shoe with a double scallop ("wing") stitch pattern horizontally on the toe and small perforations over toe area. [Top] |
| Wool | Usually associated with fiber or fabric made from the fleece of sheep or lamb. However, the term "wool" can also apply to all animal hair fibers, including the hair of the Cashmere or Angora goat or the specialty hair fibers of the camel, alpaca, llama, or vicuna. Wool holds in body heat. Care should be taken to protect cloth from moths. [Top] |
| Worsted Fabric | A tightly woven fabric made by using only long staple, combed wool or wool-blend yarns. The fabric has a hard, smooth surface. Gabardine is an example of a worsted fabric. A common end use is men's tailored suits. [Top] |
| Worsted Wool | Wool fiber that is spun into compact smooth twisted yarn before weaving or knitting. The cloth produced from this yarn is usually smooth surfaced and very durable. It goes through a second combing process which removes short fibers. [Top] |
| Woven Fabrics | Fabrics composed of two sets of yarns. One set of yarns, the warp, runs along the length of the fabric. The other set of yarns, the fill or weft, is perpendicular to the warp. Woven fabrics are held together by weaving the warp and the fill yarns over and under each other. Three basic weaves from which all woven fabrics derive: twill, satin and plain. [Top] |
| WTW™- Water Tight Wall | The completely waterproof doors and windows on tents with awning style rainflys. Kelty. [Top] |
| Yak Canvas | Constructed with 550 Denier Cordura(r) Nylon, this canvas has the look and feel of cotton with the strength and durability of the toughest nylon. Unlike cotton canvas, this fabric moves moisture away from your body to keep you dry and can resist abrasion and tearing. The North Face. [Top] |
| Yoke | A "band" at the top of a garment: this area may be a separate piece of fabric seamed into the lower garment or, on a sweater, may be a patterned area across the upper chest and shoulder area. [Top] |
| Zephrr® Fabric | A woven polyester construction that is extremely lightweight and compactible, highly wind resistant, and has a breathable water-resistant coating. Pearl Izumi. [Top] |