Abrasion
Overview
Abrasion is the mechanical wearing or rubbing of a surface, such as skin, fabric, or gear materials, caused by repeated friction or contact.
Key points
- In hiking contexts, abrasion commonly affects skin at contact points with packs, clothing, or footwear.
- Fabrics and gear surfaces can gradually wear down where they repeatedly contact straps, rocks, or vegetation.
- Abrasion is a descriptive term for physical wear and does not, by itself, indicate severity or medical status.
Details
In long-distance hiking, abrasion describes both the physical wear of materials and the minor surface damage that can occur to skin or gear from repeated friction. On the body, abrasion often appears where clothing or pack straps move against the skin over many hours of walking. On equipment, it can be seen in thinning fabrics, scuffed coatings, or exposed fibers in areas that contact rocks, tree branches, or pack hardware. The term does not specify whether the result is minor cosmetic wear or more significant damage; it simply refers to the process and outcome of friction-based wear.
Related topics
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