-
Tactel® is a clothing fiber known for being soft, supple, breathable and lightweight. Clothing made of Tactel® fibers is inherently strong (at least three times tougher than natural fibers) and fast drying (dries eight times faster than cotton). The Tactel® fiber’s ultra-light weight, softness and breathability make it an ideal choice for women’s intimate apparel and active clothing.
-
Taffeta is a crisp, smooth, plain-woven fabric with a close weave and slight sheen. It is made of various fibers, such as silk, rayon, or nylon, and often used as lining for apparel and sleeping bags because of its resistance to penetration by down. 1.3 oz. (ounces per square yard of fabric) is ultra-light, luxuriously soft taffeta lining ideal for next to the skin use. 2.6 oz. nylon is a tightly woven fabric used for tent flies to provide protection from the elements.
-
The structural foundation of a fixed-blade knife that is usually found beneath the handle. The blade and tang are typically cut or forged at the same time from one piece of metal, although they may also be welded together. When the tang extends the entire length of the handle, it’s called “full tang,” which is considered the strongest variation.
-
A type of knife blade modeled after the traditional Japanese short blade. The tip of a tanto blade looks similar to an angled chisel and is generally more difficult to break than a traditional knife blade tip. The tanto blade is ideal for rescue and tactical applications.
-
Tartan is a plaid originally from Scotland. The differences in colors of the tartans were used by the Scots to distinguish between the different clans. Tartan is made from wool or cotton cloth in a multicolored twill weave plaid pattern and can be worn as a kilt, skirt, beret, scarf or a number of other articles of clothing.
-
Taslan is a textured yarn that is different from spun yarn or continuous filament yarn to the extent that it has additional bulk produced by air texturizing. Its hand, loft, covering power and yarn texture are permanent and do not require special handling or care. Taslan is used with thermoplastic fibers such as nylon and polyester.
-
Tasmanian wool is a high-end worsted fiber that takes its name from the island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia, because it originated in this special climate where conditions were optimal for producing fine, soft white wool. Sought after by the finest tailors in the world, Tasmanian wool is known for unique characteristics of moisture transfer, thermal insulation, crease resistance and comfort.
-
A Tattersall check is a small, regular pattern formed by vertical and horizontal lines of two dark-colored stripes on a cream or light beige background. The Tattersall check is named after a London horse market run by Richard Tattersall where the horse blankets were sewn from this plaid.
-
TechnoWool® is a technical innovation that utilizes wool's natural, tight crimp to provide additional wind-blocking protection while at the same time wicking perspiration and vapor away. TechnoWool® may be blended with other fibers, and may be washable for additional convenience; see care instruction label in garment.
-
Tecni-Dry® is a waterproof breathable system used in Tecnica footwear that keeps feet dry inside while allowing moisture from perspiration to pass through to the outside. Durable Tecni-Dry® boots are meant for rigorous outdoor activity when the temperatures are low and the snow is high.
-
Tecnopile® is a form of particularly fine, soft microfleece. The extremely fine fibers in Tecnopile® make the fabric very supple and the weave more tight and durable. The fibers are so small that 10,000 meters (32,808 feet) of the fibers weigh a maximum of 1 gram (.04 ounces).
-
Teflon® is a fabric protector that delivers durable, long -lasting protection by forming a molecular shield around fibers, guarding them from oil- and water-based stains, dust and soil. When used with fabrics, Teflon® is undetectable by sight, smell or touch. Because of its protective qualities, Teflon® is also used to coat cooking dishes.
-
Tekware is a lightweight, quick-drying fabric that won't shrink or mildew and is wrinkle resistant. Engineered to protect from the elements without hampering freedom of movement, Tekware is also less likely to tear, abrade, or unravel. It is also often used in clothing made for outdoor activities because of its durability.
-
A trademark of TENCEL Ltd. for its brand of Lyocell, a high-performance fiber used to make breathable, absorbent fabrics with a soft, silk-like drape with the strength of polyester. All-natural TENCEL® is made from wood pulp that is harvested from commercially replenished tree farms. It is most often manufactured in peached or lustrous silk finishes.
-
A specific type of fly fishing lure designed to imitate a terrestrial insect that has accidentally fallen into the water. Some popular terrestrial fly patterns include ants, grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. Most terrestrial flies are designed to lure trout and other larger fish.
-
Terry cloth is a knitted fabric, usually cotton, with absorbent loop pile on one or both sides. Terry cloth is commonly used to make towels and robes because of the softness of the fabric. It has also been used in women’s swimsuit covers because of its absorbency and ability to dry quickly.
-
Thermal Pro® is a product made by Polartec®. Thermal Pro® fabric resembles the look of a sweater and has all the benefits of fleece. It is wind and water resistant and offers the wearer soft, warm clothing for rigorous outdoor activities. It is also available in many styles and colors.
-
Thermal stretch fleece is fleece engineered for use in water sports and fast-moving action sports such as cycling and skiing. It provides excellent thermal insulation, as well as body-hugging stretch and aerodynamic design. Thermal stretch fleece combines four key properties, including a water-repellent and abrasion-resistant face, a breathable membrane for protection from wind and water, four-way stretch for a streamlined fit and freedom of movement, and a thermal lining with wicking and siphoning properties.
-
Thermastat® is a high-performance fabric that provides an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and helps regulate body temperature. Its wicking ability moves moisture away from the body to maintain a dry, next-to-skin environment. Thermastat® is often used in athletic base layers because of the comfort it provides to the wearer.
-
Thermoskin® is a heat-retaining fabric (nylon and neoprene) used in therapeutic devices such as braces, and in whitewater sports to allow the user to withstand temperatures that would otherwise be too cold to endure. Using Thermoskin® in therapeutic braces allows the body’s heat to enhance the use of the braces.
-
Thinsulate® is a low-bulk insulation used in footwear and gloves made of fibers about ten times smaller than the fibers of most other synthetic insulations. The fibers are more efficient at trapping air and more effective at maintaining warmth. More fibers can be packed into the same space, where they can retain more of the body’s radiant heat. In terms of bulk, Thinsulate® fibers are 1½ times more effective than down. The fibers are not affected by repeated washings or dry cleanings.
-
¾ and full-canvas interlinings are stitched to the seams of ¾ of the jacket or the entire front of the jacket from the shoulders to the bottom hem. ¾ and full-canvas interlinings are preferred over ½ canvas interlinings because they add body and drape to more of the suit or sport coat. Canvas interlinings can be fused or hand-stitched. Fused interlinings create a more rigid appearance, while a hand-stitched full canvas promotes more natural movement. Hand-stitched interlinings are the most expensive and difficult to construct.
-
A type of strut designed to add structural integrity to a canoe’s hull. A thwart crosses the hull, acting as a support between the port and starboard gunwales. The most common thwart material is wood, but thwarts can also be made of aluminum or another material.
-
A ticket pocket is a small, extra pocket most often found over the right pocket of a sport coat or suit. Originally designed in the 1800’s for a railway ticket, the ticket pocket is now only a decorative element that is found on a variety of suit styles.
-
TINOSAN® is a highly effective antimicrobial product used on fabrics and home furnishings. TINOSAN® provides broad-spectrum protection and freshness, and reduces germ transfer. On home furnishings it is often used to reduce odor-causing bacteria caused by pets and everyday activity, and it can also be used on other high-traffic fabrics.
-
A thin filament material that attaches to the end of a fishing leader. Tippet comes in a variety of thicknesses, each offering a different strength rating. This rating is represented by a number followed by X. For example, 1X fly fishing tippet has a strength rating of approximately 13.5 pounds. 5X tippet has a rating of approximately 4.75 pounds. (Pound test ratings may vary depending on brand).
-
A type of metal. Commercial-grade titanium has high corrosion resistance (more than stainless steel) and high tensile strength. It’s also less dense than steel. Certain titanium alloys are even stronger and lighter, which makes them ideal for aerospace, medical and industrial applications.
-
Toughtek® is a “grippy” substance applied to the surface of products such as the palms of gloves or the soles of slippers to provide a non-slip quality whether wet or dry. Toughtek® gloves are often used for outdoor work such as pulling weeds in a garden because the tough outer shell resists thistles and thorns while still allowing the wearer to grip.
-
Theromplastic rubber, simply called TPR for short, is a strong, durable material used in a variety of products. In the footwear industry, TPR is used in the production of shoe soles and waterproof boot shells. TPR’s unique structure makes it flexible yet extremely durable. It is also lighter weight than pure rubbers or plastics alone.
-
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a high-performance polymer, combing the benefits of rubber and plastic. Because of its high abrasion resistance, exceptional flexibility and high degree of flex resistance, TPU is ideal in high-wear applications when long-term durability is important.
-
Triplepoint® is an exclusive process in which multiple high-pressure coatings are applied to fabrics in such a way that they lock into the fibers and cannot separate or delaminate. The resulting Triplepoint® coating is waterproof breathable, providing the wearer with protection from the elements while outdoors in foul weather.
-
Triplepoint® Ceramic is a highly technical process in which multiple high-pressure coatings with microscopic ceramic pores are applied to fabrics in such a way that they lock into the fibers and cannot separate or delaminate. The exclusive Triplepoint® Ceramic fabrics, which are waterproof breathable, are especially designed for alpine expedition wear.
-
Tropical wool is a smooth, two-ply wool in a plain, open weave. It is lightweight and breathable, and a must during warm months where heavier wools would make the wearer uncomfortable. Often used for summer suitings, tropical wool is a go-to fabric because of its airy weave and color range.
-
Tweed is a coarse, heavyweight, rough-surfaced wool fabric for outerwear. The term is now applied to fabrics made in a wide range of weights and qualities, generally from woolen spun yarns. Tweed was originally woven in Scotland to keep the Scots sheltered from the brisk winds of the moors.
-
Twill is a fabric that shows a distinct diagonal pattern on the face (Examples: denim, gabardine, tricotine). Twill is often chosen for its texture and softness in clothes such as khaki pants. Gabardine is a twill fabric that is often used in pants and dresses because it drapes well on the body.