Short answer: The glossary explains terms from the descriptions of NORDBLANC outdoor and ski clothing: membrane, water column, breathability, taped seams, insulation from hollow fibre to down, materials and technologies, thermal underwear, fits, features and types of clothing such as softshell, hardshell, anorak or parka. For each term you will find a short definition and a link to the guide where the topic is covered in detail.
Waterproofness and breathability
Membrane
A membrane is a thin layer inside the material that keeps drops of water out and lets water vapour from sweat escape. Water column and breathability describe the material with precisely this layer. At NORDBLANC, TERATEX®, for example, is one of the membrane materials. In detail: Water column and breathability.
Water column
Water column is a figure in millimetres that says how much water pressure a fabric withstands before it starts to leak. It is measured in a laboratory on new fabric (for example to the ISO 811 standard), and 10,000 mm corresponds to a pressure of roughly 1 bar. The number says nothing about time spent in the rain and does not include seams or zips. In detail: how to read the water column on the label.
Breathability (g/m²/24 h)
Breathability, technically moisture vapour permeability, is a figure in g/m²/24 h that says how many grams of water vapour pass through a square metre of fabric in 24 hours. The higher the number, the more easily sweat escapes and the less you overheat under the jacket. Measuring methods differ, and with the RET method the opposite applies: a lower number means a more breathable fabric. In detail: breathability of ski jackets.
Waterproofness scale
The Waterproofness scale is a NORDBLANC verbal rating with four levels: Light rain, Water-repellent, Waterproof and Highly waterproof. For most models it follows the water column: up to 5,000 mm Water-repellent, 8,000–15,000 mm Waterproof, from 20,000 mm Highly waterproof. The Light rain level is most often given to models with no stated water column. It is an aid for comparing models with one another, not a standard. In detail: water-repellent or waterproof jacket.
Taped seams
Taped seams are seams covered on the inside with sealing tape. Every stitch makes tiny holes in the fabric and the tape covers them; without it, water can leak through even on a fabric with a high water column. Almost all NORDBLANC outdoor jackets have them; on ski jackets it differs from model to model, so check them in the Features section on the product. In detail: taped seams on ski jackets.
Waterproof zips
Waterproof zips are zips with a waterproof treatment or covered by a flap, through which water does not pass as easily as through an ordinary zip. Most NORDBLANC ski jackets and trousers have them among their features, as do almost all outdoor jackets. In detail: why a jacket gets wet.
Water-repellent finish (DWR, reproofing)
A water-repellent finish, DWR for short (from the English durable water repellent), is a surface treatment of the outer fabric that makes water form beads and run off. It does not stop water pressure; only the membrane does that. The finish wears off and weakens with washing, and you can restore it by reproofing. The procedure is on the Product care page.
Insulation and warmth
Hollow fibre (FURTHERM)
Hollow fibre is a synthetic polyester fibre with a cavity inside, so air is held not only between the fibres but in each fibre as well. FURTHERM is the name of such an insulation at NORDBLANC and the most common insulation in winter jackets, coats and ski jackets. The fibres barely absorb water, so the insulation works even when damp. In detail: Down or synthetic jacket.
THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN
THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN is a synthetic insulation from The LYCRA Company that contains no down. The manufacturer states that it is made from recycled PET bottles and keeps you warm even when damp. At NORDBLANC, some winter jackets, coats, gilets and ski jackets have it. In detail: How to choose a winter jacket.
Down
Down is fine, quill-free clusters that interlock into a fluffy layer and hold a lot of air, so it is the warmest for its weight. When wet it clumps together and loses loft. At NORDBLANC, only a few winter jackets, coats and gilets have down. In detail: what happens when down gets wet.
Ratio 90/10 and 70/30 (down insulation)
The ratio 90/10 and 70/30 is the composition of down insulation: 90/10 means 90% down and 10% feathers, and 70/30 means 70% down and 30% feathers. The more down, the lighter and fluffier the insulation generally is. The ratio does not say how much insulation the jacket contains, so you cannot read warmth from it. Models are in the collections women’s down jackets and men’s down jackets.
Fill power
Fill power (cuin) is a number that shows how much down lofts: how many cubic inches one ounce of down fills after standardised compression. A higher number means more trapped air per gram, but figures from European and American methods are not comparable. For NORDBLANC down jackets, the ratio of down to feathers is stated instead of fill power. In detail: what is fill power.
Warmth scale
The warmth scale is an indicative NORDBLANC rating with four levels: down to 0 °C, down to −10 °C, down to −20 °C and down to −30 °C or lower. It serves to compare NORDBLANC models with one another and is not a guaranteed temperature. How warm you feel is also affected by wind, humidity, movement and the layers under the jacket. In detail: what warmth down to −10 °C means.
NORDBLANC materials and technologies
TERATEX®
TERATEX® is NORDBLANC’s own branded range of membrane materials. The number in the name corresponds to the water column in millimetres, so TERATEX® 15000 means 15,000 mm. Breathability is a separate figure; you cannot work it out from the name, and you will find it on the product. In detail: how to read the numbers on NORDBLANC products.
SOFTSHIELD®
SOFTSHIELD® is the brand of a three-layer laminate, that is an outer fabric firmly bonded to a membrane and an inner layer, which NORDBLANC uses for softshell clothing. According to the product details, SOFTSHIELD® 10000 has a water column of 10,000 mm and breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24 h. Softshell jackets and most softshell trousers are made of it. In detail: Softshell or hardshell.
DERMIZAX™
DERMIZAX™ is a membrane in some NORDBLANC ski jackets, with a water column of 30,000 mm according to the product details. These models have breathability of 20,000–30,000 g/m²/24 h. You will find them in the collections women’s DERMIZAX™ ski jackets and men’s DERMIZAX™ ski jackets. In detail: How to choose a ski jacket.
3LL material
3LL material is the designation of a material in NORDBLANC outdoor jackets made of TERATEX® 20000 with a water column of 20,000 mm. The product descriptions label these jackets as hardshell. You will find them in the collection 3LL waterproof jackets. In detail: what a hardshell jacket is.
Thermal underwear, merino and fleece
Thermal underwear (baselayer)
Thermal underwear, or a baselayer, is a functional underlayer worn directly against the skin that wicks sweat away into the next layers of clothing. It should fit closely, or it will not wick sweat away. NORDBLANC has Winter, All-season, Lightweight and Merino ranges, and the synthetic ones are polyester, mostly with elastane. In detail: How to choose a baselayer.
Merino
Merino is fine wool from merino sheep, with fibres thinner than ordinary sheep’s wool, which is why it feels softer on the skin. It keeps you warm even when damp, but dries more slowly than synthetics. NORDBLANC offers merino thermal underwear with 94–100% merino, merino socks and a few hats. In detail: What is merino wool.
POWERFLEECE
POWERFLEECE is the designation of the material of NORDBLANC powerfleece sweatshirts and some sports gilets. It is stretchy polyester with elastane. On all powerfleece sweatshirts, the product details list both skiing and cross-country skiing among the activities. In detail: What to wear cross-country skiing.
Fleece
Fleece is a soft, lightweight knit made of polyester fibres with a fluffy surface, which traps air and keeps you warm as a middle layer under a jacket. NORDBLANC fleece sweatshirts are made of polyester, and some of them are also intended for skiing and cross-country skiing. In detail: What to wear skiing.
Fit and features
Fit: Regular, Slim fit and Oversized
Fit is the shape of clothing and the looseness with which it sits at the same size. Regular is a classic fit with ordinary looseness, which almost all NORDBLANC winter jackets and coats and most ski jackets and trousers have. Slim fit is a closer fit, found on only some ski jackets and trousers and some softshell trousers. Oversized is a deliberately loose fit, on only a few ski jackets. In detail: How to measure jacket size.
Snow skirt
A snow skirt is an inner band at the bottom edge of the jacket that fastens around the hips and stops snow getting under the jacket in a fall or when sitting. Almost all NORDBLANC ski jackets have one. In detail: snowboard jacket features.
Ski pass pocket
A ski pass pocket is a small pocket, usually on the sleeve, that holds a ski pass, so you can hold it to the reader at the lift without taking it out. Most NORDBLANC ski jackets have one. In detail: what to take skiing.
Ventilation zips
Ventilation zips are zips, on jackets usually under the arms, that let you vent heat quickly without taking your layers off. Most ski jackets and almost all outdoor jackets from NORDBLANC have them, but on ski trousers only a few models. In detail: ski jacket features.
Double legs with a non-slip grip
A double leg with a non-slip grip is a second layer inside the trouser leg that fits around the ski boot and stops snow getting in. Most NORDBLANC ski trousers have one. In detail: the legs of ski trousers.
Braces
Braces are straps over the shoulders that hold trousers in place in a fall and in a deep forward bend and do not press at the waist. Most NORDBLANC ski trousers have detachable braces; once they are detached, you wear the trousers as ordinary trousers with a waistband. In detail: braces or waistband.
Types of clothing
Softshell
Softshell is a stretchy, soft-to-the-touch, breathable fabric that stops wind and light rain and does not restrict movement. NORDBLANC softshell jackets are made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000, with no insulation and no taped seams, so they suit wind, showers and movement, not long rain. In detail: what softshell is; you will find a selection in the collection softshell jackets.
Hardshell
A hardshell, also called a shell jacket, is a jacket made of membrane fabric with no insulation that keeps rain and wind out. It is usually stiffer than softshell and deals with waterproofing through taped seams and waterproof zips. NORDBLANC outdoor jackets with TERATEX® 15000 or 20000 correspond to it. In detail: Softshell or hardshell; you will find a selection in the collection outdoor jackets.
Anorak
An anorak is a jacket that you pull on over your head, with only a short zip instead of a full-length one. There are fewer places at the front through which wind and snow get in, but it is harder to put on and to ventilate. NORDBLANC has snowboard, softshell and lightweight spring anoraks. In detail: what an anorak is; you will find a selection in the collection anoraks.
Parka
A parka is an insulated jacket with a hood that reaches over the hips to the thighs and can often be drawn in at the waist or hem. The name has no fixed definition, so look at the length, the hood and the drawcords. Most NORDBLANC winter coats come close to a parka. In detail: Winter coat, parka or jacket.
Mittens
Mittens are gloves with a separate pouch for the thumb only, while the other four fingers lie in one shared chamber. The fingers share their warmth there, so mittens are usually warmer than gloves with separate fingers, but give less feel. In the NORDBLANC range, mittens are the smaller part of the ski gloves, made, according to the product description, of TERATEX® material with synthetic leather on the palms. In detail: Ski gloves or mittens.
Winter gilet
A winter gilet is insulated sleeveless clothing that warms the torso and leaves your arms free. It is worn on its own in mild cold or as a middle layer under a jacket. Most NORDBLANC winter gilets have hollow-fibre insulation. In detail: Winter gilet.
Frequently asked questions
How does a membrane differ from a water-repellent finish?
A membrane is a layer inside the material that holds back water up to the pressure given by the water column, while a water-repellent finish (DWR) is only the surface, over which water runs off. The finish wears off and weakens with washing, whereas the membrane stays, so after fresh reproofing the jacket repels water again. The difference between a water-repellent and a waterproof jacket is covered in the guide Water column and breathability.
Are anorak, parka and softshell terms for a cut or for a material?
Anorak and parka describe the cut: an anorak is pulled on over the head, and a parka is a longer insulated jacket with a hood. Softshell and hardshell describe the material and construction of the jacket, that is whether it is stretchy and breathable or a stiffer waterproof shell. The terms can be combined; NORDBLANC has, for example, softshell anoraks made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000.
Are the warmth and waterproofness scales guaranteed figures?
No. Both are indicative NORDBLANC aids for comparing models with one another, not standards. For most models, waterproofness follows the water column, but how warm you actually feel depends on wind, humidity, movement and the layers under the jacket. When choosing, compare finished models by the details on the product; the procedure is summarised in How to choose a winter jacket.
Where do I find the water column, insulation and features on a product?
The water column and breathability are on the product in the Materials and care table, and the Waterproofness scale is shown separately. You will find the insulation in the product description, and taped seams, waterproof zips, a snow skirt or pockets in the Features section. How to read the numbers is explained in the guide Water column and breathability.