Apex Stretch Fabric is a high performance stretch textile with exceptional strength, durability and weatherproofness. The nylon/spandex blend combines abrasion resistance and extended range of motion for long lasting wear and comfort. This fabric has also been treated with a DWR for water and stain repellency. We also engineer the fabrics in this series for limited wind penetration - enough to limit wind chill with plenty of breath ability during highly aerobic activities.

Berghaus own high performance shell fabric that gives durable waterproofing during recreational outdoor use. Available in s different face fabrics, two Ripstop nylons for added tear and abrasion resistance and Polyester for a comfortable drape and handle.

Used in rock climbing camming devices (cams) are forms of protection placed in the rock in order to clip the climbers rope to, to the catch the climber in the case of a fall. Invented by Ray Jardine in 1977 they revolutionised the climbing world. Spring loaded cams are mounted together and when loaded expand against the rock wedging them firmly in place saving the climbers fall.

An extremely strong, life saving piece of equipment used in climbing. Essentially a small metal clip used to clip the rope to protection in the rock to catch a climber in case of a fall. Also used to store climbing gear onto the harness. Comes in many different forms.

A fabric used in waterproof clothing by Mountain hardwear. Conduit contains a mix of hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water resistant) materials that pull water vapour through the barrier but keeps liquid from perpetrating the exterior. This breathability prevents moisture vapour from condensing.

A nickname for a carabiner (also a sea creature with a nip)

CTX Moulding is a technology used by Montrail in their footwear. It involves thermo moulding form within the footwear which will mould to the same of your foot by either body heat or pr heated in an oven then placed on the foot while warm (not too hot!) and cools and sets to the shape of your foot for extreme comfort.

Poles used in Terra Nova tents with extremely high strength to weight ratio. Very good for light weight expeditions.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finishes are hydrophobic coatings applied to fabrics to make them water-resistant by causing water to bead up and roll off fabrics, rather than soaking into them. Durable water repellents are often used in conjunction with waterproof breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex to prevent the outer layer of a laminated waterproof breathable from becoming saturated with water. Maintaining the DWR is critical to maintaining the breathable nature of waterproof breathable outerwear.

The world's strongest fibre. Made from super strong polyethylene, very strong and light weight. Used on lots of climbing products from quickdraws (see quickdraws) to cams (see cams).

Elongation means for something to get longer. We talk about it in terms of ropes. Different ropes have different proposes which means they stretch differently when loaded.

A type of fabric used on some products that allow sweat to quickly evaporate to the outside. Meaning your dry inside.

Red Chilli's own brand rubber, used on their older models.

Different levels of down filling in sleeping bags and down jackets. Fill power comes in three models by North Face each supplying great weight to warmth ratio and longevity.

Boreals own brand rubber. Recently revamped and better than ever.

Basically Gore-Tex is a unique tissue paper thin microporous membrane, which contains over 9 million pores per square inch. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, yet some 700 times bigger than a moisture vapour molecule. This gives the fabric excellent levels of waterproofness and breathability. The outer face of the Goretex fabric is coated with a hydrophobic DWR (Durable Water Repellency) treatment which encourages surface water to bead up and run off, improving the wet weather performance of the garment and promoting breathability by preventing wetting-out of the outer face which can cause the face fabric to become less breathable, thus preventing the membrane from breathing.

GORE-TEX PACLITE garments are the ultimate in extremely breathable, lightweight, packable weather protection. The new GORE-TEX PACLITE product uses a protective layer on the membrane made from an oil-hating substance and carbon. This oil-hating, or oleophobic substance allows a water vapour to pass through, but is a physical barrier that prevents contamination from oil, cosmetics, insect repellent and food substances which could otherwise affect the waterproof performance. Gore's advanced processing techniques used to apply the oleophobic substance and to integrate the carbon allow the membrane to retain adequate durability.

GORE-TEX XCR fabric stands for eXtended Comfort Range and this fabric is engineered to meet the demands of users who want to maximize both the intensity of the activity with a feeling of being comfortable - despite weather and time. The benefits with GORE-TEX XCR 2-layer is the versatility of use for different activities combined with the extra breath ability which ensures maximum comfort in outdoor activities.

Global Positioning System. A world wide navigational system, used in on board computers and hand held devices for navigation, route planning etc. Very useful for walkers and drivers alike.

Montrails specifically designed rubber for there rock shoes.

A fabrics resistance to water pressure equivalent to a column height of water.(ie 25,000mm) Used to test the waterproofness of materials used in jackets and outer trousers.

The North Faces waterproof/breathable technology for consumers who don't want to pay a premium cost. Multi-layer formula for waterproof protection, moisture permeability, and durability.

An impact force is a high force or shock applied over a short time period, as in a climber loading a rope in a fall. The force a product can with stain is usually displayed in KN.

Karabiner, Krabs, Carabiner, Crab, biner etc. All different names for Carabiners (see carabiner).

Karabiner, Krabs, Carabiner, Crab, biner etc. All different names for Carabiners (see carabiner).

The thickness of an insulating material, Like in a sleeping bag or down jacket.

A tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer, ideal for rucksacks and other hardwearing products.

A range of very high performance fabrics. Windproof and tough designed for sleeping bags and down jackets.

Lightweight, warm and breathable fabrics. 100% polyester velour construction creates air pockets that trap air and retain body heat. Used in fleeces and jackets.

Micro fleece fabric is soft to the touch, lightweight breathable and packable used in many coats and fleeces.

Polartec Power Dry fabrics are designed to keep your skin dry when you sweat. All fabrics in this series feature a patented bi-component knit construction that uses different yarns on either side of the fabric. This creates two different surfaces: one that is optimized to move moisture away from the skin, the other to dry quickly.

Tightly woven nylon face for abrasion resistance without the stiffness and noise. Polyester velour back traps air and provides a high warmth-to-weight ratio.

Polartec Windbloc-ACT fabrics provide wind and weather protection for active sports where enhanced breathability is required. By combining several features in a single fabric, they eliminate the need for a windbreaker or additional shell. Polartec Windbloc-ACT blocks 98% of the wind. The remaining 2% is allowed to circulate within the fabric, which greatly enhances moisture vapour transmission - 2 times faster than other windproof fleece - and improves breath ability, reducing the risk of heat-stress build-up.Featuring a breathable stretch-polyurethane membrane, Polartec Windbloc-ACT fabrics enable you to stretch freely and move quietly through your outdoor activity. A durable water repellent finish sheds rain and snow, while a Polartec Power Dry lining inside pulls moisture away from the body to keep you dry.

A synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked by ester groups, used chiefly to make textile fibres. Used in many outdoor clothing products.

A synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked by ester groups, used chiefly to make textile fibres. Used in many outdoor clothing products.

PrimaLoft (Used in North Face products) is a patented ultrafine microfiber blend that is incredibly soft, lightweight and water repellent. PrimaLoft synthetic insulation absorbs three times less water, is 15% warmer when dry and is 24% warmer when wet that the closest competitive insulation. In addition to these impressive thermal properties, PrimaLoft is lightweight wiht a down-like softness that adds comfort and appeal.

The lightest downproof, windproof, breathable fabric. 30gsm. Used in Rab jackets and sleeping bags.

The lightest water resistant coated downproof, windproof and breathable fabric. 50g/s/m. 1500mm hydrostatic head. Used in Rab jackets and sleeping bags.

Two carabiners joined together by a short dyneema sling. Used by climbers to clip from the protection in the rock to the rope. The sling is needed to allow the rope to move and swing without moving the gear in the rock. Dyneemas come in different lengths to allow rope drag to be reduced if many quickdraws are used on a single climb. (see dyneema and carabiner)

A set of waypoints that define the intended path of travel used by a GPS. See waypoint.

Red Chilli's new sticky rubber used on their rock boots. Used on all their latest models.

Soft Shell is used on outer wear products. It combines the protection of a shell with the comfort of a mid layer. Not crinkling and noise but with the protection. Not usually as waterproof though.

Five Tens rubber used on their older models, before Stealth Onyxx.

Stealth ONYXX is Five Tens own specific rubber designed especially for their rock shoes. Proven to be one of, if the best.

A hard silver-grey metal used in strong, light, corrosion-resistant alloys. Used for very light weight products such as pots and cutlery for when the weight of your overall pack really matters.

Evolv rock boots own brand of rubber. Very sticky indeed!

A waypoint is a check point or point of reference. Used on GPS systems from route planning on hikes, drives, or any route finding activity.

Laminated special membranes to a wide range of functional fabrics selected according to the final product's intended use. Windstopper is used on many different products from fleeces to soft shells.

WindWall fleece is a proprietary wind-resistant material from The North Face. Through a fabric bonding process, WindWall fleece blocks over 90% of the wind, while allowing a limited degree of air permeability (approximately 20 CFM). The result is increased breath ability and comfort, while eliminating wind chill.

Wild Countrys pull lock harness buckle. Always doubled back and very easy to pull and lock and no danger of ever being left not done up properly. Quick and easy, no threading involved.