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The Complete A-Z Camping Glossary

Your ultimate resource for understanding the language of camping.

By Adam Brooks | Last updated: 26th September 2025

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A B C D E F G H I K L M O P R S T V W

A

Air Tent
A tent that uses inflatable beams instead of traditional poles.
Awning
A fabric cover that extends from the side of a tent or vehicle to provide a sheltered outdoor area.

B

Baffle
Internal chambers in a sleeping bag that keep insulation evenly distributed.
Base Layer
The layer of clothing worn next to the skin, designed to wick moisture away.
Bell Tent
A cone-shaped tent held up by a single central pole.
Berth
The number of people a tent is designed to sleep.
Bivvy Bag
A small, waterproof shelter for your sleeping bag.
Blackout Bedroom
A tent bedroom made with dark fabric to block out sunlight.
Bothy
A simple, unlocked shelter in remote areas of the UK for walkers.

C

Cairn
A man-made pile of stones, used as a landmark to mark a trail.
Carabiner
A metal loop with a sprung gate for attaching gear.
Condensation
Moisture that forms on the inside of a tent's flysheet.

D

Dome Tent
A tent with a dome shape, created by flexible poles crossing over the top.
Down
Soft, fine feathers used as insulation in high-end sleeping bags.

E

EHU (Electric Hook-Up)
A feature at campsites to connect your tent to the main power supply.

F

Fill Power
A measurement of the 'loft' or fluffiness of a down product.
Flysheet
The waterproof outer layer of a double-wall tent.
Footprint
A separate groundsheet placed under a tent to protect it.

G

Gaiters
Waterproof coverings for walking boots and lower legs.
Geodesic Tent
A tent with a complex pole structure, very stable in high winds.
Glamping
A portmanteau of 'glamorous camping'.
Groundsheet
The waterproof base layer of a tent.
Guy Lines
The cords that stretch from the flysheet to the ground for stability.

H

HH (Hydrostatic Head)
The official measurement of how waterproof a fabric is.
Hydrophobic Down
Down insulation treated with a waterproof coating.

I

Inner Tent
The breathable inner compartment of a tent where you sleep.

K

Karrimat
A generic term for a simple, foam roll-up sleeping mat.

L

Leave No Trace
An outdoor ethic of leaving your campsite exactly as you found it.
Loft
The "fluffiness" of insulation in a sleeping bag.

M

Mid Layer
An insulating layer of clothing, such as a fleece.
Midge
A tiny, biting insect found in the Scottish Highlands.
Mummy Bag
A sleeping bag that tapers towards the feet and has a fitted hood.

O

Ordnance Survey (OS Map)
The national mapping agency for Great Britain, essential for hiking.

P

Pitch
The act of setting up a tent, or the designated spot on a campsite.
Pod Tent
A large tent with a central living area and separate bedroom 'pods'.
Polycotton
A blend of polyester and cotton used in premium tents.

R

R-Value
A measure of a sleeping mat's thermal resistance (insulation).

S

Season Rating
Indicates the conditions a tent or sleeping bag is designed for.
Self-Inflating Mat (SIM)
A sleeping mat with a foam core that inflates when a valve is opened.
Spork
A piece of cutlery that is a combination of a spoon and a fork.
Synthetic Insulation
Man-made insulation that retains warmth when wet.

T

Tarp
A simple sheet of waterproof material used to create a shelter.
Trangia
A famous brand of spirit-burning stove.
Tunnel Tent
A tent using hooped poles to create a tunnel shape.

V

Vestibule
The covered area outside the inner tent, also known as a porch.
Vis-à-vis Tent
A tent layout with bedrooms at opposite ends of a central living area.

W

Wild Camping
Camping in the wilderness, outside of an established campsite.