The texture of the stipe as viewed through a x5 hand lens. Some surface features are easily lost on handling, so when observing the stipe surface pick up the fruit-body by the base of the stipe, or the edge of the pileus. Hold the stipe up to the light to accentuate any hairs projecting in silhouette from the surface. The extreme base or apex of the stipe may have more pronounced surface features than the middle portion. Observe the middle portion of the stipe for this feature. Ridges or scales at the very base of the stipe are usually part of the Volva.

Choose this state if: there are several belts (zones or bands) of tissue on the stipe which are different in colour to the underlying surface. Such zones are usually coloured, but can be white on a darker background.

These belts are usually the remnants of a universal veil, where the veil adheres to the lower section of the stipe, and, on expansion of the stipe, is torn into several belts or zones. Where the belts are made up of individual squamules, choose squamulose. The belts of tissue are distinct from the remnants of the partial veil, which (if present) will lie above the uppermost belt.

If the bands are at the very base of the stipe, see Volva.