GLOSSARY A - Z

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Aa

Bb

Cc

Dd

Ee

Ff

Gg

Hh

Ii

Jj

Kk

Ll

Mm

Nn

Oo

Pp

Qq

Rr

Ss

Tt

Uu

Vv

Ww

Xx

Yy

Zz

Glossary: C

CFM - Cubic Feet per Minute This is often seen as a measure of wind permeability of a particular type of outdoor clothing (and other items). It measures the air (in cubic feet) passing from one space through to another space. Therefore an item of clothing with 0 CFM will not allow any air through that particular fabric.

Chest Strap Used by rucksacks to prevent side-to-side movement of the pack when climbing or hiking.

Comfort Flex midsole - Scarpa Using nylon for its permanent performance qualities, the comfort flex midsole is moulded so it has minimum flex in the heel section but gives comfortable flex in the forefoot area. It is used for walking and hillwalking footwear as weight is often distributed on the toes for ascending where flexibity is sometimes required, but rigid and extra support on the heel for descending.

Compass A compass is a navigational instrument for finding directions. It is absolutely necessary (along with a map) to guide you whilst walking or hiking in the countryside, especially . It uses a magnetic needle that points to magnetic north.  See range of navigational compasses.

Compression straps Allows excellent compression of your stuffsac or rucksack, no matter how much or little you have in it - an great way to save space for more walking gear!

Crampons - Hiking and Mountaineering Equipment Crampons are outdoor footwear that are made from spikes and are worn on boots to provide additional traction to climbers on ice and snow. General-purpose crampons designed for most mountaineering and glacier travel are not well suited for vertical ice climbing. For ice climbing, specialized crampons that provide better support for front pointing (where climbers use their toes to dig into the ice) are advised. Most crampons require welted boots to ensure proper fitting. There are also three types of crampons: hinged and with straps, multi-pupose crampons with front points and strapping all around the foot with an additional heel and a fully rigid crampons with a heel clip and toe bar. For most types of mountaineering (not technical ice climbing) hinged crampons are preferred as they provide a flex along the instep and bend with the natural motion of walking. A rigid crampon does not bend at the instep so when climbing up steep technical ice, they allow the climber to keep their heel lower when front-pointing, thus less tiring as a result. Rigid crampons are usually heavier and will often not perform as well as hinged in mixed terrain.

Crampon grading - Mountaineering Equipment Crampons are graded C1, C2 and C3. These grades are used to determine compatibility with a walking or climbing boot. Walking and climbing boots are usually graded B0 (incompatible with crampons), B1 (a sturdy hillwalking boot), B2 (a more rigid mountaineering boot) and B3 (a fully rigid climbing and mountaineering boot). Usually, a B3 mountaineering boot would be compatible with a C3 crampon, a B2 walking boot with a C2 crampon and B1 walking boot with C1 crampon. Importantly though, a B3 mountaineering boot can be used with a C3, C2 or C1 crampon, a B2 boot with a C2 or C1 crampon. A B1 boot can only be used with a C1 crampon.

Crosta - Scarpa This is the standard grade of leather used by most leading mountaineering boot manufacturers. It is a premier leather for mountain footwear and gives excellent comfort and general performance. However, without the HS12 treatment, its water repellancy is not as efficient as Reversed Anfibio leather, also provided by Scarpa.