3-Season Tent: A tent recommended for use in summer,
spring and fall.
4-Season Tent: A tent that is designed to handle any
weather conditions, especially harsh winter conditions.
A-Frame: A basic tent or cabin shape, the cross section
of which resembles an "A".
Base Layer: The layer of clothing closest to the skin.
Bivouac: The site where a tent is set up.
Bivy Sack: A small one-man tent with one, two or zero
poles.
Boil Time: The amount of time it takes one liter of water
to reach the boiling point at a given elevation.
British Thermal Unit (BTU): The measurement of energy
required to raise one pound of water on degree Fahrenheit.
Burn Time: The amount of time a camp stove or latern
will burn given its capacity of fuel.
Cinch Straps: Adjustable straps often used to compress
a stuff sack or to keep a load close to your back.
Daypack: Small backpack that holds enough gear for a
one-day outing.
Deep-lugged Sole: A boot sole featuring deep ridges and
grooves for maximum traction.
Dome: A free-standing tent shape where the poles create
a dome by curving over each other.
Double-walled Tent: A tent made of dual construction
fabric that provides insulation by trapping a pocket of air between
the layers.
External Frame Pack: A backpack supported by a rigid
frame on the outside of the pack.
Floor Area: The amount of usable floor space in a tent,
measured in square feet.
Foot: The rounded end of a sleeping bag, also called
a footbox.
Footprint: The shape and square footage of a tent floor.
Freestanding: Tents that do not require stakes or guy
lines to stand erect.
Fuel: Combustible matter used in a stove or lantern.
See White Gas.
Ground Stakes: Anchors that hold a tent to the ground.
Available in a variety of materials and styles.
Gusseted Tongue (Bellows): A leather piece attached to
both sides of the upper on a hiking boot, designed to keep out
water and dirt.
Guy-Out Points: Peg and tie-down loops on tents and rainflys
that aid anchoring.
Hip Belt: The main support device on a backpack. Large
padded belt that buckles around the waist and is fully adjustable.
Internal Frame Pack: A backpack supported by stays on
the inside of the construction.
Lash Points, Lash and Loops: Metal fasteners, loops or
other places to attach gear on a pack or jacket.
Lexan: A material used in water bottles and other camping
wear that is extremely durable and can withstand a wide range
of temperatures.
Loft: the height and thickness of insulation in a sleeping
bag. See Rating.
Lumbar Pad: A support on a backpack to comfort heavy
loads on the lower back.
Modified Dome: A dome tent that has been designed for
specific elements, such as wind or snow.
Mummy Bag: A close fitting, shaped, hooded sleeping bag
very efficient at conserving body heat.
Overlapping Tongue: The leather piece on a hiking boot
that will help keep out dirt and snow.
Packed Size: The dimensions of a collapsed tent and its
contents, in square inches.
Panel Loading: Packs that allow access to the body of
the bag, in addition to the top, so gear can be loaded from all
angles.
Pole Sleeves: Fabric tunnels on the outside of a tent
into which the tent poles are inserted.
Priming: Allowing fuel to collect in the burner of a
white-gas stove before ignition.
Purifier: A drinking water system that removes contaminates
and eliminates viruses with a combination of specialized filters.
Rain-fly: A tent covering that aids in keeping a tent
dry and windproof.
Rand: The outer rubber strip that encircles a hiking
boot or climbing shoe.
Rating: The degree Fahrenheit to which a sleeping bag
is constructed to sleep comfortably. i.e. -30ø, 0ø, +15ø.
Route: Any planned course of travel.
Shank: A metal or nylon plate installed in the instep
of a shoe or boot to provide support.
Shock Cord: A thin elastic cord running through tent
poles to prevent separation and loss and expedite set-up.
Single-walled Tent: A lightweight, single-fabric construction
tent that is chemically treated for insulation any waterproofness
but may not be very breathable.
Snow Stakes: Wide, platform-type stakes used to anchor
a 4-season tent in snowpack.
Stay: The backbone of aluminum or plastic material supporting
an internal frame backpack.
Top-loading: A backpack that is packed from the bottom
up through the main access at the top, duffel bag style.
Topographical Map: A map that identifies land features
(topography), as well as roads and man-made structures.
Travel (Conversion) Pack: A hybrid pack that can be worn
on the back or carried like a traditional suitcase.
Tunnel Tent: A low profile tent that is long and rounded.
Two-Way Zipper: Two zippers running towards each other
on the same slider, can be opened from either end.
Ultralight Tent: A tent designed for one or two people,
weighing five pounds or less and designed to carry on or in a
backpack.
Vestibule: The area outside of a tent, usually created
by an extended rain-fly.
Volume: The amount of space in a backpack measured in
cubic inches.
White-gas: A distillate of petroleum, petroleum naptha,
that burns with a white, hot flame. Commonly used in backpacking
stoves.
