Skiing Technical Terms

Anti-pile fleece A fleece fabric available in different weights for inner and outer wear, that resists balling.

Articulated Knees on salopettes and elbows on jackets are sometimes made to allow ease of movement

AWT A technical treatment used by Killy to provide constant breathability and snow/water proofing at all regular mountain temperatures.

Breathability The way in which a fabric allows moisture to escape. Performance depends on exertion and fabric quality. Breathable clothing reduces that damp clammy when cooling down after exercise.

COLDHEAT An insulation system used by Trespass. A high performance filling with a soft handle and excellent drape ability which makes clothing look good too!

Entrant GII A waterproofing and snowproofing treatment used to maximise efficiency and ensure breathability, used by Nevica.

ESC English Ski Council

EPS Expanded Polystyrene Foam

EVA Ethylene Vinyl Acetate foam - provides excellent thermal insulation and is highly resilient.

Gauntlet The part of a glove that goes from the wrist up the arm.

Glass Glues Brightly coloured knitted string attached to glasses so that they don’t get lost if they fall off your nose!

Goggles Stay A strap with a velcro or press stud closure on the back of either a hood or helmet to ensure that goggles stay in place.

Gore-Tex Totally windproof fabric which is also waterproof and highly breathable. Invented by Bob Gore (an American) in the 60's.

Hydrophobic A surface that is hydrophobic repels sweat or waterdrops so that they quickly disappear without leaving any smear marks.

Hydrotech 3000 A highly breathable, windproof and waterproof fabric used by Cross Sportswear in the manufacture of some of their ski clothes.

Meraklon The lightest fibre known to man, with a highly effective wicking performance, that helps to ensure that the skin remains free from perspiration and reduces cold.

Microporous Invisible pin holes woven into fabric to aid breathability and reduce that clammy feeling after exercise.

Neoprene Rubberised thermal material that works by body heat warming air pockets within the material and thus insulates the body from the elements.

Oxlan A hardwearing fabric that is both water-repellent and windproof.

Packaway Hood A windproof hood that can be rolled up and secreted in the neck of the garment.

Polycarbonate A strengthened form of plastic.

Protech 2000 A highly water repellant breathable material, Teflon coated to the highest standards used by Cross Sportswear in the manufacture of some of their ski clothes.

Protekt A collection of clothing within the Trespass range, which is waterproof, windproof, taped seams and COLDHEAT insulation.

PU Coating Polyurethane Coating used to create snowproof fabric.

Showerproof A term used to describe a degree of resistance to light rain.

Snow gaiters A piece of material with an elasticated opening on the inside of the garment’s leg designed to reduce snow up the leg and down the boot.

Snowproof A term used to describe a degree of resistance to snow

Stormproof cuffs A term to describe cuffs that can be tightened around the wrist to reduce weather intake.

Snowskirt A piece of material inside the jacket with an elasticated hem and press stud fastenings that reduces the possibility of snow up the back of the jacket.

Stormflap The strip of material fastened across a zip with either velcro or press studs to improve windproofing.

Taslan A type of fabric construction designed to improve breathability and windproofing.

Taped Seams Seams overplayed and backed by a waterproof tape to prevent water getting through the clothing.

Thermoguard An insulation system used by Dare2be in all their ski clothes.

Thermolite A light fibre with a highly efficient wicking performance, that helps ensure that skin remains free from perspiration and reduces cold.

Thinsulate A lightweight insulation system which is considered to be the best of its kind as a result of laboratory testing.

TresTex A term specific to Trespass to describe the insulation used inside their gloves which is a breathable liner and reduces sweaty hands.

Vapour Road A permeable coating used by Killy to provide breathability, waterproofing and maintain dryness through micronorder pores.

Ventilation zips These are becoming more common on ski clothing now and allow you to easily control your body temperature.

Waterproof This term is used to describe a garment with taped seams and fabric that has been treated to resist water. If your child stands outside in the rain for long enough in any clothing that claims to be waterproof, you child will eventually get wet. Garments that are claimed as waterproof are better at keeping out the rain than others.

Wicking The material is permeable which allows body moisture to go through the fabric to be absorbed into the atmosphere and helps to keep the skin dry and therefore maintains body warmth.