Garments engineered with Gore-Tex Active Shell are built for extreme breathability and provide durable waterproof and windproof protection for optimum comfort, guaranteed. Featuring a lighter weight, streamlined 3 layer construction, this completely new class of waterproof garments delivers extreme breathability and excellent next to skin comfort.

Aid Climbing ivolves climbing by inserting climbing hardware into weaknesses in the rock and pulling on them.  The hardware can be standard climbing gear that can be removed by hand or that needs to be hammered in and hammered to be removed.  It is different to 'free' climbing where you use your body to ascend the rock and hardware is used only in the event of a fall.

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.

AQ2 is a Berghaus breathable waterproof fabric that offers a moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) of 8,000g/m2/24hrs, meaning that moisture vapour can easily escape through the fabric enhancing overall enjoyment of the outdoors. AQ2 provides a hydrostatic head of 10,000mm H20 column.

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.

The base layer is one of three layers that are traditionally used by a multitude of outdoor users.  The other two layers are the 'mid' and 'shell' layers.  Base layers are normally thin and light garments made from a synthetic fabric though sometimes from merino wool and 'wick' moisture away from your skin and dry quickly, keeping you comfortable even when active in the outdoors.

bluesign® is a voluntary initiative for textile manufacturers to improve their production to the highest environmental standard available.

Bisphenol A or BPA is an organic compound used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.  This was used for a long time to make water bottles however recent fears over possible toxic effects have seen its use greatly reduced and it is now declared a toxic substance in Canada.  Most fears relate to BPA being an edocrine disruptor which mimics the bodies own hormones and as such is thought of to be more harmful to children than adults.  In the EU BPA is banned from use in baby bottles.

Allows water vapour to pass through.

Capilene is the clothing company Patagonia's name for its polyester material with a hydrophilic surface finish. Capilene's core remains hydrophobic (water repellent). It is used in thermal underwear and in stretch versions where it has been blended with Lycra. It has since then been added into most of their product line. Compared to cotton, the warmth it provides at an equal thickness is much greater.

The Common Threads programme is a partnership between Patagonia and their customers to make, buy and use clothes more sustainably, with the ultimate aim to close the loop on the product life cycle - to make old clothes into new and keep them from ever reaching the landfill. If you have clothes which you would like to recycle which qualify for the scheme, then you can return them to us in store or post them to us.

Coolmax is a performance fabric with an effective fiber-based moisture management system. The system can move perspiration away from the body, and through the fabric, where it can evaporate quickly, allowing the wearer to feel cooler and more comfortable.

Cordura is a brand which produces a huge number of fabrics in varying weights. They are best known in the outdoor industry for their fabrics such as Cordura Ballistic which has an exceptionally high durability for their weight. The higher the dernier, the more durable, and heavier, the fabric. Siliconised Cordura is used to produce ultralight accessories.

Coreloft is a siliconised synthetic fibre used to insulate clothing. It is made up of short monofilament 'staples' which are crimped into two dimensional shapes so that they occupy more space and insulate more. Crucially there are also very long continuous monofilament fibres, unlike other synthetic insulation. This combination means that Coreloft is softer and more resilient than equivalent Primaloft fibres.

This binding is very quick to use once set up and features a stainless steel front bail and a nylon lever, with micro adjustment, at the rear. It requires that boots have welts both front and rear.

It also features a safety strap which wraps around the ankle so that if the crampon is somehow forced off the boot it will not be lost. On older models this strap is also attached to the front bail by a steel strap for extra security.

Dri-release fabric is exclusive to Mammut, it offers an excellent compromise between the feel of natural cotton and the technical properties of synthetic fibres. Despite feeling soft and comfortable it dries four times faster than cotton and faster than nylon, polyester and even CoolMax Extreme. Its drying and wicking properties are a result of the structure of the fabric so they will not wash out. It is also treated with Freshguard, which is antibacterial and reduces odour and offers protection from UV rays.

Boreal was the first company in the world to use a breathable, waterproof membrane in outdoor footwear. From all of this experience came Dry-Line, an innovative waterproof lining system that was developed over several years in a joint project by Boreal and Akzo-Nobel.

DWR stands for 'Druable Water Repellent'.  This is a coating added to a fabric in the factory to make it water resistant.  It helps stop jackets 'wetting out' and is used on garments which have breathable membranes and those which do not.  In garments with breathable membranes 'wetting out' seriously reduced the breathability of the garment and so DWR treatment is an important part of the waterproofing proccess.  DWR wears off over time and will need to be re applied with the appropriate Nikwax product.

Short for Ethylene-vinyl Acetate, EVA is a soft a flexible polymer which has many uses in the outdoor industry. It's shock absorbing properties combined with it being easy to mould and temperature resistant mean that it features in the midsoles of most footwear. It can also be varied in density very easily, so that a very lightweight EVA is a perfect synthetic substitute for cork in walking pole handles.

Gelanots make a range of waterproof fabrics which are unusual in that they do not provide breahtability through millions of tiny pores in the membrane. Instead a knitted face fabric is laminated to a PU hydrophillic membrane which has a similar effect. They are soft and stretchy and do not make the same plastic 'rustle' as many other waterproof fabrics.

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.

The GSB (Grivel Scarpa Binding) system was the result of a collaboration between two of Italy's best known mountain equipment manufacturers. Instead of using a bulky bent steel wire front bail, a low profile flat spike is used which slots into a corresponding hole in the sole unit of compatible Scarpa boots.

The system was designed to be faster, lighter and easier than traditional binding systems, but after some reports of problems was phased out of both companies' ranges.

Most of the models which feature a GSB binding still have holes drilled which could be used to fit a traditional steel wire front bail if required.

H2No Barrier is Patagonia's own brand  fabric that is created by adding a waterproof breathable laminate coating to performance protective fabric.  It comes in three layers.  3 Layer is the most durable for thier most technical jackets, 2.5 layer is the lightest weight when pack space is at a premium and the 2 layer fabric is for general use.

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.

Hypalon is a flexible elastomer which is extremely durable and is often used in high wear areas or to make strong attachment systems. DuPont have unfortunately stopped producing Hypalon.

HyVent is The North Face's own brand waterproof, breathable technology utilizing a polyurethane (PU) coating that consists of a tri-component mutli-layer formula for waterproof protection, moisture permeability and durability.

This technology has been lab tested in The North Face Quality Assurance lab to ensure the best possible durability and function while also maintaining a comfortable level of breathability. The minimum level of breathability achieved using HyVent is: 600 g/m²/24 hours on the Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate scale.

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 withstand is usually displayed in KN.

Klymit's Inertia X pads are not given an R Value (the accepted measure of thermal insulation for sleeping mats). Instead of simply creating a barrier between the bag and the ground, they make more efficient use of the insulation already in your sleeping bag.

Instead of your bag's insulation being squashed flat against a pad (which then has to make up for the loss of insulation), the Loft Pockets allow it to loft into the cut-outs, using it to its full potential. In warmer conditions this also allows air to reach more of the bag increasing breathability.

Lorica was developed as an alternative to natural leather, made from synthetic microfiber. The products used in it’s manufacturing are non-toxic and the end product is non-allergenic and does not irritate. It is used in technical footwear in areas where the comfort of leather and low stretch properties of synthetic fabric are required.

A measure of the power of light perceived by the human eye.  Different manufacturers measure lumens in different ways and it is always worth referring directly to the manufacturers website to determine how they measure light output for thier head lamps.

A maillon is a peice of industrial equipment that is occasionally used for climbing.  Cheaper than a karabiner and often significantly heavier they need a spanner to be tightened and loosened and are unsafe if not done up in this manner.  Often used in sport climbing areas to link chains to expansion bolts.

Merino wool offers alternative advantages to synthetic fabric base layers. Whilst synthetic fabrics do dry faster than Merino, they also tend to feel clammy before you've even started exercising. Merino is highly breathable so moisture vapour escapes easily. Though Merino does dry slower than synthetic fabrics it does still dry relatively quickly because it is so thin. Also as with synthetics it still keeps you warm even if it does become saturated. Finally Merino does not get as smelly as synthetic base layers which is something to bear in mind if you are going to be using your base layer several days in a row.

Micro Velour is the term used by many manufactureres to describe the soft fleece backing that is on the inside of thier garments.  This finish is not like having a proper fleece lining but just ads a softer feel and some insulation to a garment.

Microfleece is a generic name given to fabrics made of very fine polyester fleece, which are extremely soft and tend to be very thin. It is typically used in small patches for lining handwarmer pockets and goggle pockets and also making light weight fleece tops.

This binding system can be used on almost any boots and is very intuitive and easy to use. Instead of steel wires or rigid clips, both ends have a plastic cage, made from very strong and flexible DuPont Zytel.

These can adapt to almost any shape and once fitted only a very simple buckle needs to be threaded to secure them.

The New-Matic binding system is an evolution of the Cramp-O-Matic which give a much more versatile crampon as it fits boots which only have a rear welt. It is also useful if the front welts on your boots have worn out or if overboots are being used.

The black section of the cradle is made from DuPont's Zytel, an extremely strong and flexible plastic. The yellow inserts are softer and help the cradle to mould and stick to the boot. Although Zytel is extremely strong it cannot last forever and should be checked for wear and replaced if necessary, as you would the soles on your boots.

The OutDry waterproof membrane system excels in areas where other membrane systems stuggle, such as the complex three dimensional shapes found in footwear and gloves. OutDry membranes are bonded directly to the external fabric of the product using a patented lamination process, which bypasses the need to sew waterproof booties and then fix them into footwear.

No seam sealing is required, which is costly, creates wear points and reduces breathability, as the membrane and fabric become one material with no wasted space to inhibit moisture transfer.

Gore Tex Performance Shell is the general purpose waterproof breathable fabric that Gore produce.  Designed for a wide range of outdoor activity it is available in 2 and 3 layer construction.  2 layer construction offers a supple and light feel whilst the 3 layer construction is for more rugged garments.

A Piezo igniter is a type of ignition that is used in portable camping stoves and some lighters.  It consists of a small, spring loaded hammer which hits a crystal of quartz when a button is pressed.  The crystal creates a high voltage when it is deformed and the spark produced ignites the gas.  No actual electrical connection is required.

Pit Zips are under arm zips that can be opend or closed to make a jacket more breathable.  If it's not raining and you are wearing a waterproof jacket for example it helps to stop saturation from the inside.

PrimaLoft Eco is earth-friendly insulation created for performance and comfort. Eco insulation technology combines 50% recycled material with PrimaLoft virgin fibers to create a high loft, thermally efficient insulation. PrimaLoft Eco is lightweight and water resistant with superior softness to keep you dry and comfortable. It’s global warming the right way!

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 with a down-like softness that adds comfort and appeal.

PrimaLoft Sport is the perfect combination of high performance insulation and value. This technology combines ultra-fine and multi-diameter fibers for specific performance characteristics. The specially treated ultra-fine fibers help to form a water resistant insulating structure, while the multi-diameter fibers help to build loft.

Gore Tex Pro Shell is the optimum solution for outdoor professionals and serious enthusiasts from Gore.  It is the most rugged, breathable and durable waterproof and windproof fabric that Gore makes and is available in 2 and 3 layer construction for a supple and quiet fabric that is light weight or in the 3 layers case for extra rugged use.

Schoeller fabric is a very high quality softshell fabric that is designed in Switzerland and offers excellent breathability, dry times and ruggedness due to the inclusion of cordura in the fabric.

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.

This is a UIAA test to see how much a rope will stretch when an 80kg weight is hung on one meter of rope.  The rope is then given a percentage figure of how much it will stretch.  Useful if you are going to be jumaring or if you want a particularly stretchy rope to absorb long falls.

Designed specifically for use by The North Face's athlete team, Summit Series represents the ultimate in achievement in both product design and athletic accomplishment. It is designed to be the strongest, lightest gear available and represents the pinnacle of The North Face design.

The Sympatex membrane is a 5 µm thick waterproof membrane that is laminated on a textile base, providing apparel and shoes with protection against moisture. The hydrophilic (water-attracting) elements of the Sympatex membrane absorb moisture (transpiration) in the form of vapour from the body and transport it from the inside to the outside. What is special about this process is that the Sympatex membrane adapts to the increasing level of exercise, offering dynamic breathability.

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.

Thermoplastic polyurethane is a resin with many desirable qualities such as elasticity and resistance to abrasion, which make it a common material in outdoor footwear. Unlike other plastics, TPU has outstanding low temperature performance and a high strength so it is often found in high performance mountaineering boots.

The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation is the leading international representative body for climbers and works to promote thier interests including safty standards in climbing gear.  The UIAA Safety Commission works closely with the industry to develop standards to minimize accidents caused by equipment failure. A certified piece of mountaineering and climbing equipment carries a UIAA Safety Label, which indicates the equipment’s compliance with the UIAA standards. The UIAA first started to test ropes in 1960 and now has standards for 20 different categories of safety equipment, including helmets, harnesses and crampons.

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is the degree to which a garment shields you from the sun, much like sun tan lotion.  Sun protection is achieved through varying yarn selection, fabric construction and the outer colour used on a garment.  There are different protocols for testing UPF with the Australian/New Zealand AATCC protocols being the most widely respected.

Velcro has been holding things together for well over 50 years and today is found on everything from softshell jackets to climbing harnesses to tents. The word has become a generic term for any fastening which works on the Velcro principle of one side of hooks and one side of loops, whose patent expired in the 70's. Generic alternatives are often called 'hook and loop' or 'touch' fasteners, but some manufacturers choose to spend more to buy official Velcro branded products for their lines.

Vitale Bramani developed the first Vibram rubber outsoles after the deaths of six of his friends in the Alps. In 1937 the first units were patented and launched. Today the yellow logo is found on everything from rock climbing shoes to high altitude mountaineering boots and Vibram remains the most recognised and respected manufacturer of outdoor footwear outsoles in the world. 

Welded seams reduce bulk, weight and material used in the production of clothing because there is less stitching involved and in the case of waterproof products it reduces the chances of water getting into the jacket through stitching.

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.

YKK is a Japanese group of manufacturing companies and is the world's largest zip manufacturer with a reputation for reliable and durable build quality in their zips.