Gear listings are full of shorthand. This glossary explains the terms you are most likely to meet when you read about tactical backpacks, flashlights, knives, boots and gloves on Tactical Enclave or on a store page.
The definitions are general and neutral. Manufacturers sometimes use a term in their own way, so check the maker’s product page for what a specific label means for a specific product.
- Ballistic nylon
- A thick, tightly woven nylon fabric originally developed for protective clothing. Today the name is used for heavy nylon in bags and cases. It is valued for abrasion resistance, though the term is not tied to a single standard.
- Blade steel
- The alloy a knife blade is made from. Different steels trade off edge retention, toughness and resistance to rust. Makers usually name the steel in the product specifications.
- Cordura
- A brand name for a family of durable nylon and blended fabrics used in packs, pouches and boots. A Cordura label tells you the fabric brand, but not its weight or weave, so check the denier too.
- Cut level
- A rating that describes how well a glove material resists cutting. In the United States it often follows the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale, which runs from A1 to A9. A higher letter number means more cut resistance, but a cut-resistant glove can still be cut or punctured.
- Denier
- A unit that measures the thickness of a fiber. A higher denier number usually means a thicker, heavier yarn. It is one clue to a fabric’s toughness, along with the weave and any coating.
- Drop point
- A blade shape in which the spine curves gently down to the tip. It gives a strong point and a large cutting edge, and it appears on many general-purpose knives.
- Fixed blade
- A knife whose blade does not fold. It has no hinge to fail and is easy to clean. The tradeoff is that it must be carried in a sheath.
- Full tang
- A construction in which the blade metal runs the full length and width of the handle. Handle scales are attached on both sides. It is often linked with strength, although design and steel matter as well.
- Hydration bladder
- A flexible water reservoir that sits inside a backpack and feeds a drinking tube. It lets the wearer drink without stopping to take out a bottle. Packs that support one usually have a dedicated sleeve and a port for the tube.
- IP rating
- An Ingress Protection code that describes resistance to dust and water. The first digit covers solids and the second covers liquids, as in IPX7. Flashlight makers often quote it, but the numbers follow set definitions, so read the exact code.
- Liner lock
- A locking mechanism on a folding knife. A spring-like metal liner moves across the back of the blade tang to hold the blade open. Pressing the liner aside lets the knife fold.
- Lumen
- The unit used to measure the total visible light a flashlight puts out. More lumens means more light, but not necessarily a farther beam. Output often drops as the light heats up or as the battery drains.
- Midsole
- The layer of a boot between the outsole and the insole. It provides cushioning and some stiffness. Common materials include EVA foam and polyurethane.
- MOLLE
- Short for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It describes a system of woven straps sewn onto packs and vests in rows. Pouches attach to the straps with matching webbing and snaps.
- PALS
- Pouch Attachment Ladder System, the grid of webbing rows that MOLLE-compatible pouches weave onto. The two terms are often used together, and people sometimes use them as if they were the same thing.
- Paracord
- A lightweight nylon rope with a woven sheath and inner strands. Type III, often called 550 cord, is the most familiar. The number refers to a minimum breaking strength in pounds.
- Ripstop
- A woven fabric with extra-strong threads added in a grid pattern. If the fabric is nicked, the heavier threads help keep the tear from spreading. It is common in lightweight packs and clothing.
- Rockwell hardness
- A scale used to describe how hard a metal is. Knife steels are often listed on the HRC version. A harder blade can hold an edge longer, but it can also be more brittle.
- Runtime
- The time a flashlight keeps running at a stated mode. Makers may quote the time until output falls to a set percentage of the start level. The ANSI FL1 standard defines one way to report this.
- Serrated edge
- A blade edge with scallops or teeth. It can grip and saw through fibrous materials such as rope. It is harder to sharpen than a plain edge.
- Strobe mode
- A flashlight setting that flashes rapidly. Some users value it for signaling or to disorient. Because it can cause discomfort or trigger sensitivity in some people, many lights let you leave it out of the normal mode cycle.
- Tanto
- A blade shape with a high point and a flat grind that meets at an angle. The design gives a strong tip. It does not have the curved belly of a drop point.
- Throw distance
- How far a flashlight beam reaches, usually quoted as the distance at which the light falls to a set low level. A narrow, focused beam gives longer throw than a wide one, even at the same lumen count.
- Waterproof-breathable membrane
- A thin layer in a boot or glove that blocks liquid water while letting some vapor out. It helps keep feet and hands drier. Wet conditions and heavy use can still limit how well it works.
- Webbing
- A flat woven strip of nylon or polyester used for straps, handles and attachment points. Width and thickness vary. It appears on packs, belts and pouches.