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This is a ring shaped in a “D” that is sewn onto garments and equipment. They are used for hanging items or tying them back. For example, a D-ring could be used to tie back a tent fly. Commonly found on jackets, ski pants, packs and tents, a D-ring is also a type of carabiner, which is a hook used in rock climbing.
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Dacromet® is a water-based anti-corrosion coating used on the steel shanks of shoes to keep moisture and chemicals from degrading the integrity of the steel. Dacromet® coating is made up of overlapping zinc and aluminum flakes that are inorganically bound. The coating provides four-way corrosion protection and is self-repairing, meaning zinc oxides and carbonates seek damaged areas of the coating, then repair and restore the barrier protection.
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Dacron® is a polyester fiber used as fill for cushioning, in fabric (for example, sails) and in cords and ropes. Dacron® has high tensile strength with great resistance to stretching and wrinkling. Dacron® consists of fibers of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, which was patented in 1941 and is used in food, beverage and other liquid storage containers.
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Heralded as the "Steel of the Ancients," Damascus steel bears a watermarked pattern resembling the damask cloth that was also being produced in that ancient city nearly 2,000 years ago. Damascus blades were originally produced exclusively in the Middle East and were known for their resilience and durability during the Middle Ages. There is only one U.S. commercial producer manufacturing blades of Damascus steel today.
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Darts are V-shaped tucks sewn into a garment to make it fit the contours of the body—usually at the chest and waistline. This prevents the garment from appearing wrinkled or baggy. Darts are usually two stitches that connect a fold of fabric. A dart can be sewed down on one side of the fold or can be centered over its seam with the excess material flattened out and pressed.
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Delrin® is a lightweight but durable, low-wear and low-friction polymer plastic with long-term mechanical stability. It is used in fishing reels as bushings and gears, in door locks, hinges and clothing zippers. Also known as acetal, Delrin® was discovered in the 1950s and commercially introduced in 1960 by DuPont.
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Denier is a weight measurement used to refer to fineness of a yarn or fiber. When measuring denier, the lower the number, the finer the fiber; the higher the number, the heavier the fiber. In clothing, 70-denier fabric is strong, heavy and usually used in tough shell garments; 30-denier fabric is lightweight and usually found in insulated garments such as down jackets. Cordura® may be rated as high as 1000-denier and is used on gear that may be subjected to demanding use.
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A waterproof breathable membrane developed by Toray Industries. Dermizax is a high-performance membrane technology that offers high breathability and waterproof protection with minimal condensation. The laminate used to create Dermizax is also lightweight and supple, making this material ideal for technical outerwear.
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A fabric cut to a smaller dimension than another used in the same item – for example, the lining of an insulated jacket is smaller than its external shell. The space between the differential cut and the normal cut may be used for insulation. Differential cuts are found among baffled insulated garments and sleeping bags.
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Direct-Grip® is a Gore-Tex® glove insert that is laminated to a brushed polyester tricot (a fabric that is smooth on one side and textured on the other), or soft-knit material. Direct-Grip® provides unusually dry comfort even without the use of other inserted liners. It is used, for example, in gloves for fire fighters, fishing and cold-weather outdoor sports.
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Doeskin is a dense, felted cotton fabric with a soft nap made to imitate doeskin leather from a female deer or sheep. Doeskin material is of fine quality and has a medium or light weight with a soft finish on the face. It is often used as a compact coating or sportswear fabric.
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Donegal tweed is a homespun Irish tweed with nubbed, multicolored yarns interspersed with solid yarns to produce a speckled effect. Donegal tweed is traditionally found in heavier-weight sport coats. Donegal tweed was originally spun in Donegal County, Ireland, and most of these yarns spun in Ireland still use wool from Irish sheep.
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Tents featuring double-wall construction combine an inner wall (canopy), with a waterproof outer wall, called a fly. By incorporating a canopy with breathable mesh panels and a separate rain fly, airflow is increased and condensation is less likely to form inside the tent. Double-wall construction also allows for the addition of vestibules for storing gear in between the canopy and fly.
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Considered the best insulating material in dry conditions, down is an effective, breathable insulator because it’s light, lofty and able to trap air between its appendages. Down is described by fill, such as 600- or 700-fill, meaning one ounce lofts to 600 or 700 cubic inches. The higher the loft, the greater the insulating value. When wet, down requires special cleaning methods, becomes heavy and does not insulate. Contrary to popular belief, down is not feathers.
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Drape describes the manner in which cloth falls or hangs relative to its characteristics. Generally, the finer (i.e. thinner) the fiber, the better it drapes. Draping is often used for dramatic effect in fashion, allowing the fabric to contour to the body. The word drape is derived from the French word for cloth.
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Dri-Gard® is a waterproof, breathable membrane used exclusively in Grandoe gloves. Dri-Gard® technology is used primarily in high-performance, insulated gloves, such as those used for skiing, snowboarding and other cold-weather outdoor sports. Dri-Gard® inserts are made from a monoporous membrane that allows moisture to evaporate but doesn’t allow it to enter.
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Dri-Lex® is a patented multi-zone lining system. Dri-Lex® transports moisture away from the skin via an exclusive underlayer of 100% Hydrofil® nylon. The fabric layer closest to the skin is always dry, cool and comfortable. Dri-Lex® is commonly used in the insoles of outdoor footwear and in headbands found in cowboy hats.
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Dri-Release® is a unique fabric or blend that feels like cotton but dries four times faster. Made from a patented yarn with natural fibers, Dri-Release® combines the best qualities of both fibers to wick moisture away from the skin. Soft to the touch, it is combined with FreshGuard®, an environmentally friendly odor neutralizer.
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DriClime® is a base-layer clothing fabric that uses two different yarns to render it soft. It is engineered to mechanically draw moisture away from the skin and speed the drying process. DriClime® remains odor-resistant through many launderings. DriClime® is also used for linings, shells and pants. It is exclusive to Marmot clothing.
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Drill is a robust fabric with a pronounced diagonal weave. Unbleached drill is often used to make the inside of pant pockets because it is sturdy and low bulk. Drill fabric is a popular choice for uniforms, khakis, safari jackets and more, and a special kind of drill fabric is even used to make boat sails.
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Drop seat is a hinged rear panel incorporated into long underwear and children’s pajamas. The purpose of a drop seat is to alleviate the need to completely disrobe when nature calls. Outdoor clothing manufacturers put drop seats into pants as a convenience to hikers and skiers when the nearest bathroom is a pine grove or rocky outcropping.
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A popular blade shape for pocket knives. The drop-point blade has a convex curve that arcs downward from spine to tip. A drop-point blade has a broader tip compared to a clip-point blade.
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A specific type of fly fishing lure. A dry fly is designed to imitate an insect that may fall onto or land on the water’s surface. Dry flies are made of lightweight materials that allow them to float on the surface.
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Dry.Q Active is a waterproof breathable technology offering a combination of excellent weather protection, high breathability, ease of movement and low weight. Dry.Q Active combines the flexibility of lightweight stretch fabrics with the waterproof performance of a hard shell, which makes Dry.Q Active ideal for running, cross-country skiing and other high-movement activities.
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Dry.Q Core is a proprietary waterproof breathable technology designed to provide outdoor enthusiasts with excellent weather protection and comfort in a lightweight, durable package. Dry.Q Core offers waterproof performance and breathability metrics that meet or exceed industry standards. Stay comfortable in any weather with Dry.Q Core.
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Dry.Q Elite is Mountain Hardwear’s most weather-resistant, breathable and rugged waterproof technology. Unlike traditional waterproof breathable materials that often require high levels of exertion before the breathability “kicks in,” Dry.Q Elite is always working to keep you dry. Engineered to tackle extreme conditions, Dry.Q Elite is a favorite of mountaineers, backcountry skiers and other elite athletes.
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A highly effective specialty treatment used with synthetic fabrics to eliminate moisture.
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Dryflo® is a wicking technology that affixes permanently to fibers, instead of applying chemical treatments that eventually wash out. Dryflo® fabric consists of two different deniers of polyester filament, which are knitted together. Thicker filaments are next to the skin, and thinner ones are on the garment’s exterior. In this way, Dryflo® is able to draw moisture to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate, leaving you feeling dry and comfortable.
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Dryline® offers incredible moisture management in any season. Made of a combination of nylon, polyester and Lycra®, Dryline® technology wicks perspiration from your skin to the garment surface, where it evaporates. Dryline® has a unique two-layer nylon front panel to protect from wind chill and a polyester backing that keeps you dry and stretches for mobility.
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Drylite is an extremely lightweight fabric treatment that keeps active clothing fresh. Used in shirts, jerseys and shorts, Drylite technology wicks moisture, dries quickly and resists wrinkles. Also used in travel gear and microfiber towels, Drylite is known for its ability to dry in a flash.
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Dryloft® from W.I. Gore is a windproof, water-resistant and extremely breathable fabric technology engineered specifically for insulated products. DryLoft® fabrics and garments loft better and stay drier inside while resisting moisture and convective heat loss to the outside. A fabric used primarily for the shells of sleeping bags and down jackets, DryLoft® keeps down and other insulation products dry and functioning at their maximum performance.
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Dryloft® 830 is a windproof, water-resistant and extremely breathable fabric technology engineered specifically for insulated products. Dryloft® 830 is the lightest weight and most compressible DryLoft® fabric available, which makes it a great choice for backpacking and other ventures where a jacket or bag must pack down into the smallest space possible.
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A wind- and waterproof, highly breathable laminate, DRYtech® is a robust nylon fabric that’s laminated to a water-absorbing membrane. Unlike micro-porous membrane technology, DRYtech® evacuates moisture electro-chemically instead of through pores in the fabric. When moisture warms and penetrates the membrane, it is evacuated away from the body.
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Duck is a tightly woven, heavy, plain-weave fabric with a hard, durable finish. Similar to canvas, duck cloth is used in a wide range of applications, from sneakers to work wear to sandbags to tents. Duck fabric is usually made of unbleached cotton, and is manufactured in different grades or thicknesses, depending upon its final use.
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Australia’s alternative to oilskin. Applied to cotton, Durapel produces a dry, soft finish that enables the fabric to effectively repel water, oil and stains. A popular treatment for Australian outerwear, Durapel does not compromise cotton’s natural breathability, but does render the fabric highly water resistant.
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A commercial grade, non-permeable fabric used in apparel and luggage. Made from nylon, Duratex has the look of cotton, but is much stronger and more resilient. Duratex is also windproof and resistant to water and soil.
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Obermeyer’s proprietary durable water repellent (DWR) treatment applied to the face of a fabric to resist water, oil and stains. DuroGuard’s microscopic pores are too small to allow liquid to pass through, but large enough to let water vapor escape. Careful cleaning is recommended for DuroGuard products.
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A covering for your comforter that protects it from dirt, moisture and body oils. A duvet can be strictly functional or sewn from decorative fabrics to enhance your bedroom decor. Duvets are stitched on three sides with a button or zipper opening on the fourth side to facilitate washing.
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An acronym for Durable Water Repellent finish, a treatment that prompts water to bead, much like a coat of wax causes water to bead on a car. There are several types of DWR, but their common purpose is to prevent water from saturating the fabric shell, whether it’s a jacket, tent or sleeping bag. DWR finish tends to wash out after a number of washings, but can be reapplied.
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High-performance, ultra-strong polyethylene fibers used in apparel such as bullet-proof vests, safety gloves and helmets. Up to 15 times stronger than steel and 40% stronger than aramids on a weight-for-weight basis, Dyneema® makes excellent bow-hunting strings, ropes and cords. Dyneema® fibers show a strong resistance to UV light, which boosts their durability and performance over time.