Glossary of Terms

Anti-Bacterial (Anti-Microbial): A fabric that has been chemically treated or a fiber that is created by incorporating the anti-bacterial chemical agent into the fiber formula, making the finished fiber or fabric resistant to, or inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms.

Articulated: Clothing designed to allow more freedom of movement by  creating joints at critical locations like elbows, shoulders, knees, and knuckles.
 
Bamboo: A natural, renewable resource that can be made into fabrics that contain inherent antibacterial and moisture-wicking property.  Bamboo clothing is incredibly soft, resists wrinkling and is biodegradable.  Bamboo grows very quickly and does not require fertilizers or pesticides.
 
Base Layer: The apparel in contact with your skin. The purpose of the base layer is to keep you warm/cool and dry.

BOA Compatible: BOA is a system to replace shoelaces on boots.  Snowboard pants with this feature have a little hole in which you place the BOA dial. Once there you can adjust your BOA boots without having to pull up the bottom of your snowboard pants.

Breathability: Refers to air flowing through the pores of a fabric.

Cordura®: Trademark fabric  manufactured by INVISTA  which is known for its long-lasting durability and resistance to abrasions, tears, and scuffs.  Because of this toughness it is used on some mittens and also snowboard pants to provide added durability to the heel area.

Cotton: Cotton is soft, breathable, durable, absorbent, and helps hold colors well after repeated washing. Cotton is a popular fabric worn by people with sensitive skin. It is also a sustainable natural fiber.

Critically Seam Sealed: Seams (where two pieces of fabric are joined together) are covered to prevent moisture penetration.  “Critically” refers to those seams in areas most likely to be exposed to snow or other moisture, not all seams.

Eco-Friendly Products: Made from materials that are not harmful to the environment such as organic cotton or bamboo or recycled polyester.

DMF Free: DMF is a shortened form of dimethylformamidem which is a solvent used in the production of some acrylic fibers. “DMF free” means this solvent wasn’t used in the production process.
 
Ergonomic Seaming: This apparel construction technology is aimed at maximizing comfort and ease of movement. The key feature of this seaming technology is that the seams are constructed ergonomically. Therefore, the seams flow according to the body's natural movements, regardless of the type of activity engaged in by the wearer. The seams are placed away from potential pressure points, in order to maximize comfort and movement.

Fiberfill: Manufactured fibers, such as polyester fibers, that have been specifically engineered to use as filler material for outerwear.

Fleece: Soft woven cloth of wool, or a blend of wool and/or cotton or synthetics. Previously a term used only in woven sweatshirts, but more commonly now as a quick-drying, breathable, soft polyester used to make insulating clothing. Fleece has a deep, soft nap or pile  and provides air space giving good insulating properties without too much weight.

Fully Taped Seams or Critically Seam Sealed: Sealed seems keep moisture from seeping in.  Critically means they are only taped where wetness will most likely contact. Fully taped seams are taped every where.

Ghetto Slits: The zippered slits at the bottom/side of the pants.

Grommet: A reinforced eyelet as in a garment, used for underarm ventilation  or through which a fastener is passed.

Gusset:  A triangular or diamond-shaped piece of cloth inserted in a garment to strengthen or enlarge it. This extra fabric allows for greater freedom of movement or capacity. A gusset on the back of a jacket permits the wearer to swing his or her arms in a wider arc.

Inseam: The distance from the bottom of a trouser leg to the crotch. The measurement is taken along the inside leg seam that joins the front and the back leg panels.

Jacquard: A fabric of intricate variegated weave or pattern with a slightly raised effect.  The name comes from. Joseph Marie Jacquard, who invented a loom that used punched cards to weave repetitive patterns into cloths so that the pattern is woven into the fabric rather than being printed on the fabric.

Kangaroo Pocket: A large single front pocket with side openings allowing both hands to be inserted, meeting in the middle. This type of accent may also be referred to as a muff pocket.

Lycra: A DuPont trademark for its spandex fiber. Any time you see this fiber listed on a label, expect comfort, movement, and shape retention that won't wash away.  Lycra increases the life of a garment, making it more sustainable. It adds stretch and versatility.

Merino Wool: Wool from the merino sheep, which is considered the finest and softest wool in the world.  Merino wool fibers are much finer than other types of wool and synthetic fibers. This means that for a given weight, Merino contains more air spaces. More air spaces = more insulation, which is why Merino is better at keeping the cold out and the warmth in.

Microfibers: Generic term for any synthetic fiber finer than silk. Fabrics made with micro fibers are soft, lightweight, breathable and durable. The fabric is exceptionally strong and has a silky feel to it. It is more porous, and "breathes" better than other polyesters. Microfiber is naturally water repellent.

Microfleece: An ultra-light, very soft,microfiber fleece with superior warmth without extra weight. It has a luxurious, smooth feel and improves wind resistance because it is not bulky or fluffy.

Ninja Cuff: Fabric attached on a sleeve of a jacket designed to fit over the thumb to provide additional coverage of the wrist—keeps wind and snow from entering at the cuff.

Nylon: Completely synthetic fiber known for its high strength, superior flexibility and excellent resilience. Quick-drying nylon fabric is naturally water resistant and resistant to shrinkage and wrinkling.

Patch Pocket: A flat pocket made by sewing a patch of shaped material to the outside of a garment.

Recycled PET Fibers: Man-made polyester fabrics (PET is shortened from poly (ethylene terephtalate) High strength, low shrinkage, heat set stability, light fastness and chemical resistance account for the great versatility of PET. Recycled PET fibers are eco-friendly because the manufacturer has reused the fibers instead of putting in a landfill.

PFOA Free: PFOA  is an abbreviation for perfluorooctanic acid, a detergent-like material made by DuPont. “PFOA free” clothing is not made with this product because there are concerns that its use in clothing may harm human health.

Pit Vent / Pit Zips: Zippered ventilation opening under arm, sometimes mesh lined, to allow control over body temperature.

Polar Fleece: Fabric with a deep, soft pile. As an insulating garment or insulating layer, it is commonly made of polyester in various weights and often specially used in combination with other fabrics or membranes. “Fleece” is also an apparel industry term designating sweatshirts and sweatpants.

Polarized Lenses: In eyewear, a process that reduces glare from water, sand, snow, roads and other flat surfaces.  

Polyester: Manufactured fiber that is synthesized or made from chemicals. Polyester has high strength (although somewhat lower than nylon), excellent resiliency, and high abrasion resistance. The low absorbency allows the fiber to dry quickly.

Powder Skirt: An elastic strap/band that snaps together around your waist snugly, and is at the same time attached to the inside of your coat. It cinches around your waist sort of like a belt. This then keeps the snow/powder from getting in up through your coat.

Rayon: Also called viscose. Because it is manufactured from the cellulosic-based wood pulp that can be replenished in a relatively short time it is considered a sustainable fiber. Rayon is used when you need comfort and flexibility, like in sport activities. The advantages of rayon are: Good at absorbing, soft, easy to dye and very comfortable.

Recco: Avalanche system with two components - The Reflector and The Detector. The Reflector is attached to you, the detector is a hand held device used by rescue services. The reflector radio signals sent out by the detector to find you if you become buried in an avalanche.

Sealed Seams: To make any garment waterproof the seams need to be sealed using a waterproof tape on the inside. Some garments only have the critical seams sealed to keep weight and cost down, this usually refers to the shoulders of jackets and the seat of pants.

Shell Layer: Refers to an outer garment that is worn over clothing layers to provide protection from wind and rain.

Snow Gaiters: Short leggings that go from the top of your boots a ways up your legs to prevent snow from getting into your boots. Proper ski pants have built in gaiters at the bottom of the legs and so don't need separate one.

Storm Flap: A strip of fabric that covers the zipper or snap closure of a jacket. Storm flaps can also be sewn on the inside of the zipper.

Spandex Fiber: A manufactured elastomeric fiber that can be repeatedly stretched over 500% without breaking, and will still recover to its original length.
  
SPF (Sun Protection Factor): SPF measures the effectiveness of sunscreen on the body. the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). The SPF indicates the time a person with sunscreen applied can be exposed to sunlight before getting sunburn relative to the time a person without sunscreen can be exposed. For example, someone who would burn after 12 minutes in the sun would expect to burn after 120 minutes if protected by a sunscreen with SPF 10. SPF is becoming incorporated into clothing more and more.

Taffeta: Taffeta is a type of fabric which was historically made from silk, but today can be made from many different fibers, including artificial fibers like nylon, and engineered fibers such as rayon. The fabric is very soft and smooth to the touch, and it has a famously lustrous and glimmery appearance. Taffeta is commonly used as a lining material because it adds insulation while helping the garment keep its shape.

Thermal Knit: Knit in a waffle-weave pattern that assists in trapping body heat.
Tricot: A fabric of woolen, silk, or cotton knitted, or woven to resemble knitted work.

Twill: A general term for fabric woven in such a way as to produce the appearance of diagonal lines or ribs on the surface.

Vents: These allow for air flow on warm days or when you are really exerting yourself.  A warm coat with vents gives you more flexibility—zip the vents when starting out in the morning, but unzip in the sun.

Waffle Weave: A weave which is characterized by recessed squares in the fabric which creates a surface effect that is similar to a waffle. This weave is common in garments where warmth is of prime importance.

Waterproof: The proper term for materials that are impermeable by water. A term applied to fabrics whose pores have been closed, and therefore, will not allow water or air to pass through them.

Water Repellent: A term applied to fabrics that have been treated with a finish which causes them to shed water, but are still air-permeable.  

Water Resistant: A material that repels water for a short time, but is not thoroughly waterproof. Not to be confused with water-repellent. However, the terms are often used interchangeably. 
 
Wicking / Wickability: The fabrics ability to transport moisture away from the body helping you stay warm, dry, and comfortable.

Wind Resistant: The ability of a fabric to act against or oppose the penetration of wind or air, without being completely windproof.