ApexÔ:  The North Face’s softshell material.  Abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, tightly woven nylon on the outside and soft brushed nylon on the inside.

Capilene:   A fast-drying and moisture-wicking mix of polyester, nylon, spandex and polypropylene.

Cloudburst Stretch EV3Ô:  Cloudveil’s proprietary waterproof/breathable material.  Features a 100-wash rating and two-way stretch for freedom of movement.

ConduitÔ:  Quiet, supple, lightweight, waterproof and breathable.  This is Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary waterproof/breathable material.

CoolmaxÒ AltaÔ:  Lightweight, quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric that resists pilling. 

Deluge DWR:  Patagonia’s durable water repellent finish that allows products to maintain their breathability.

Entrant:  A stretchy waterproof/breathable material.  A micro-porous coating in a honeycomb structure ensures fast drying times.

Goose Down:  A mix of goose feathers for high-loft compressibility and warm insulation.

Gore-TexÒ:  Durable, waterproof/breathable laminate, which is permanently bonded to outerwear shell garments.

Gore-TexÒ 2 Layer:  A waterproof breathable construction that features a hanging mesh layer next to the skin that helps wick moisture from the skin and speed up drying time.

Gore-TexÒ PacLiteÔ:  Very lightweight and highly compressible waterproof/breathable fabric.  PacLiteÔ garments weigh 15% less than equivalent 3-layer Gore-TexÒ ones.

Gore-TexÒ Soft Shell:  This patent pending soft shell technology allows seam sealing in a fleece-backed soft shell garment.  This gives the protection of a hard shell to your soft shell.

Gore-TexÒ WindStopperÒ:  This lightweight windproof fleece is twice as warm in a 20 mph wind than a traditional fleece layer.

Gore-TexÒ WindStopperÒ Soft Shell:  An insulated stretch material that is windproof, breathable, durable, and water-resistant.

Gore-TexÒ XCRÔ:  Extremely breathable (eXtended Comfort Range) waterproof and windproof fabric.  3-layer XCRÔ is nearly twice as breathable as a traditional 3-layer Gore-TexÒ comparable garment.

H2No HB:  Patagonia’s proprietary 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric.

HyVentÔ:  The North Face’s proprietary waterproof/breathable fabric.

Mountain Merino Stretch Wool:  Arc’Teryx uses this non-itchy and odor-resistant wool for stretchy warm base layers.

NeopreneÒ:  Textile-backed synthetic rubber that is highly weather-resistant and has good thermal insulation properties.

Organic cotton:  Cotton produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, soil additives, defoliants and other materials.

PCR:  Post-Consumer Recycled polyester fleece.  This fleece is made from plastic bottles that have been spun into a soft fiber. 

PertexÒ EnduranceÔ:  Fabric that is windproof and very water-resistant, but still very breathable. 

PertexÒ QuantumÔ:  A very lightweight nylon fabric that is strong, durable and extremely compressible. 

PolarguardÒ 3D:  Synthetic polyester insulation that doesn’t clump, pull apart, or cause “cold spots”.  Softer and more compressible than other PolarguardÒ products.  Maintains its insulating capabilities when wet. 

PolarguardÒ D:  A higher loft (warmer) and lighter synthetic insulation with greater thermal efficiency than other PolarguardÒ products. 

PolartecÒ Classic:  Polyester lightweight fleece.  Breathable, durable, warm and quick drying. 

PolartecÒ Power DryÒ:  Quick drying and breathable next-to-skin fabric dries at least 2 times faster than cotton. 

PolartecÒ Power StretchÒ:  A very breathable fabric with 4-way stretch.  Wind-resistant and durable on the outside, soft and wicking on the inside.

PolartecÒ Power ShieldÒ:  Extremely durable water-repellent softshell bonding process.  Blocks 98% of wind and is still very breathable. 

PolartecÒ Power ShieldÒ High Loft:  Same features as Power ShieldÒ, but the fleece lining has a much higher loft for greater insulation.

PolartecÒ Power ShieldÒ Lightweight:  Same features as Power ShieldÒ, but the fleece lining of this material is very lightweight.

PolartecÒ Thermal ProÒ:  Lightweight, stylish and very warm fleece.  Breathable and quick drying. 

PolartecÒ Thermal ProÒ Curly Monkey:  Durable long-pile fleece with a velour backing.  Warm and fuzzy.

PolartecÒ Thermal ProÒ High Loft:  This high loft fleece is at least 20% warmer per weight than standard fleece, and up to 40% more compressible.

PolartecÒ Thermal ProÒ High Void Grid:  Provides warmth without the weight and bulk of traditional fleece.  Highly breathable, doesn’t restrict the movement of moisture vapor, and dries quickly to minimize heat loss.

PolartecÒ Thermal ProÒ Nailhead:  The high durability of this fabric is achieved through the unique construction of the low textured heathered velour knit on the face. 100% Polyester with a small pebble backing.

PolartecÒ Thermal ProÒ Sweater Knit:  Breathable, fast drying, 100% polyester fleece with a tightly woven face and a brushed interior.

PolartecÒ Wind ProÒ:  Four times more wind resistant than traditional fleece.  Very breathable, water repellent and durable. 

PolartecÒ Wind ProÒ Hardface:  Tightly knit micro fiber stretch construction provides wind resistance and breathability.  Four times more wind resistant than traditional fleece.

PolartecÒ WindblocÒ:  100% windproof fleece.  Stretchy, durable and water repellent. 

PreCipÔ:  Marmot’s proprietary waterproof/breathable material specially designed for unlined items using a silk protein in the coating.

PrimaloftÒ One:  An ultra-fine micro fiber blend that is structured to create millions of insulating air pockets that retain warmth and form a fine framework that repels water and increases the mobility of the garment.

PrimaloftÒ Sport:  Synthetic insulation that keeps you warm even when wet.  Lightweight, breathable and compressible. 

RECCOÒ avalanche rescue system: An electronic system comprised of two parts:  a reflector integrated into the garment, and search equipment operated by the ski patrol at various ski resorts. 

RegulatorÒ:  Highly breathable and compressible fleece made by Patagonia in conjunction with Malden Mills/Polartec. 

RentexÒ Powerflex:  Anti-microbial base layer material.  Polyester and spandex blend. 

Ripstop nylon:  Lightweight and durable nylon designed not to tear due to the grid pattern in the fabric. 

Ripstop polyester:  Same “Ripstop” fabric qualities in a lightweight and abrasion-resistant polyester.

SchoellerÒ Dryskin ExtremeÔ with 3XDRYÒ:  Stretch woven material improves the internal drying time of a garment by 75%.  Very breathable and durable as well as stain and odor repellent. 

SchoellerÒ Dynamic:  Durable, breathable and water-resistant stretch woven fabric.  Lighter than SchoellerÒ Dryskin Extreme.

SchoellerÒ KeprotecÒ:  Extremely tear and abrasion resistant material that, gram for gram, is five times stronger than steel. 

SchoellerÒ WB 400:  A three-layer fabric that stays comfortably warm and dry.  The outside is synthetic, the middle is a functional coating, and inside is an aesthetic lining, which is pleasantly fleecy against the skin.

SpiraFil:  An economical and durable synthetic insulation that is highly compressible and stays warm even when wet.

Synchilla:  8 oz. double-faced recycled polyester fleece. 

Synthetic insulation:  Polyester insulation that is durable, soft, non-allergenic and retains its loft when wet. 

Stretch-woven polyester:  Stretchy, durable and breathable polyester. 

ThermoliteÒ:  A low-bulk micro insulation that insulates even when wet and is very compressible.

TweaveÒ DurastretchÒ:  Extremely durable stretch woven material exclusive to Arc’Teryx.

UPF protection:  Synthetic fabrics provide an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 while maintaining their breathability and wicking capabilities. 

      VaporWickÒ:  The North Face’s quick drying and very breathable polyester base layer.