A
B
- Baffle
- Internal chambers inside a sleeping bag or insulated jacket that keep the down or synthetic insulation evenly distributed and prevent cold spots.
- Base Layer
- The layer of clothing worn next to the skin, designed to wick moisture away to keep you dry and warm.
- Bell Tent
- A simple, cone-shaped tent design held up by a single central pole. Popular for glamping due to their spacious and airy feel.
- Berth
- The number of people a tent is designed to sleep. A "4-berth" tent is designed for four people.
- Bivvy Bag
- Short for 'bivouac sack', a small, waterproof shelter, like a cocoon for your sleeping bag. Used for lightweight, minimalist camping.
- Blackout Bedroom
- A tent bedroom made with dark fabric to block out sunlight, helping you sleep longer after sunrise. Also known as 'Nightfall' or 'Eclipse' bedrooms.
- Bothy
- A simple, unlocked shelter in remote areas of the UK, particularly Scotland, available for anyone to use free of charge.
C
- Cairn
- A man-made pile of stones, used as a landmark to mark a trail or summit in hilly or mountainous terrain.
- Carabiner
- A metal loop with a sprung gate, used for quickly connecting components, like attaching keys or a water bottle to a backpack. Not to be confused with climbing-grade carabiners.
- Condensation
- The moisture that forms on the inside of a tent's flysheet due to differences in temperature and humidity. Good ventilation is key to reducing it.
D
- Dome Tent
- A tent with a dome shape, created by two or more flexible poles crossing over the top. They are stable and easy to pitch.
- Down
- The soft, fine feathers from ducks or geese used as insulation in high-end sleeping bags and jackets. It offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio but loses its insulating properties when wet.
E
- EHU (Electric Hook-Up)
- A feature at many campsites that allows you to connect your tent to the main power supply, so you can use electrical appliances.
F
- Fill Power
- A measurement of the 'loft' or fluffiness of a down product. A higher number (e.g., 800FP) means the down can trap more air and provides better insulation for its weight.
- Flysheet
- The waterproof outer layer of a double-wall tent. It protects the inner tent from rain and wind.
- Footprint
- A separate groundsheet cut to the shape of your tent's floor. It's placed under the tent to protect it from rough ground.
G
- Gaiters
- Waterproof coverings that go over the top of your walking boots and lower legs to keep out water, mud, and stones.
- Geodesic Tent
- A tent with a complex pole structure where the poles cross over multiple times, creating a strong, stable dome that is excellent in high winds.
- Glamping
- A portmanteau of 'glamorous camping', involving more luxurious accommodation and facilities than traditional camping.
- Groundsheet
- The waterproof base layer of a tent that you sleep on.
- Guy Lines
- The cords that stretch from the flysheet to the ground, secured by pegs. They provide stability, especially in windy conditions.
H
- HH (Hydrostatic Head)
- The official measurement of how waterproof a fabric is. For UK camping, a minimum of 3000mm is recommended.
- Hydrophobic Down
- Down insulation that has been treated with a waterproof coating, allowing it to resist moisture and retain its loft and insulating properties for longer when damp.
I
- Inner Tent
- The breathable inner compartment of a double-wall tent where you sleep. It's designed to let moisture escape to prevent condensation buildup.
K
- Karrimat
- A classic brand name that has become a generic term for a simple, foam roll-up sleeping mat.
L
- Leave No Trace
- A set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors. The core principle is to leave your campsite exactly as you found it, or better.
- Loft
- The "fluffiness" of insulation in a sleeping bag or jacket. Higher loft means more trapped air and therefore better insulation.
M
- Mid Layer
- An insulating layer of clothing, such as a fleece or lightweight down jacket, worn over a base layer to trap body heat.
- Midge
- A tiny, biting insect found in the Scottish Highlands and other damp, boggy areas during the warmer months. A camper's worst enemy.
- Mummy Bag
- A sleeping bag that tapers towards the feet and has a fitted hood, which is more thermally efficient.
O
- Ordnance Survey (OS Map)
- The national mapping agency for Great Britain. Their detailed topographic maps are essential for hiking and navigation in the UK countryside.
P
- Pitch
- The act of setting up a tent. Also refers to the designated spot on a campsite where you set up your tent.
- Pod Tent
- A large tent with a central living area and one or more separate bedroom 'pods' branching off it. Great for family groups wanting some privacy.
- Polycotton
- A blend of polyester and cotton used in premium tents. It's more breathable and durable than standard polyester but also much heavier and more expensive.
R
- R-Value
- A measure of a sleeping mat's thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better it will insulate you from the cold ground.
S
- Season Rating
- A rating that indicates the conditions a tent or sleeping bag is designed for (e.g., 3-season is for spring, summer, and autumn).
- Self-Inflating Mat (SIM)
- A sleeping mat made of open-cell foam inside an airtight shell. When the valve is opened, the foam expands and draws air in, inflating the mat. They offer a great balance of comfort and insulation.
- Spork
- A classic piece of camping cutlery that is a combination of a spoon and a fork.
- Synthetic Insulation
- Man-made insulation that retains its insulating properties when wet, making it a reliable choice for damp UK conditions.
T
- Tarp
- A simple sheet of waterproof material that can be configured in various ways with poles and guy lines to create a basic shelter.
- Trangia
- A famous brand of spirit-burning stove, known for its simple, robust, and windproof design.
- Tunnel Tent
- A tent design that uses a series of hooped poles to create a tunnel shape, offering an excellent space-to-weight ratio.
V
- Vestibule
- The covered area outside the inner tent but under the flysheet, often used for storing gear. Also known as a porch.
- Vis-à-vis Tent
- A tent layout where two bedroom compartments are at opposite ends of a central living area, offering more privacy.
W
- Wild Camping
- Camping in the wilderness, outside of an established campsite, which requires being self-sufficient and following a "leave no trace" ethic.
About the Author
Adam Brooks
For the last ten years, I've been enthusiastically getting rained on in fields from the Cornish coast to the Lake District. My passion for finding gear that actually works was born from one too many 'easy-pitch' tents that required an engineering degree and a marriage counsellor to assemble. I created Top Listed Products to provide honest, straightforward reviews for fellow UK campers, so you can spend less time worrying about your kit and more time enjoying that well-earned bacon butty.