Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex (GTX) is a term we come across a lot in the outdoor world, but what exactly does it mean? Quite simply, Gore-Tex ensures that clothing or hiking boots are waterproof but still breathe at the same time. It does this in the form of a membrane. There are several varieties of Gore-Tex (not all of which are waterproof, by the way), each with its own "speciality". Before covering these in detail, let's take a look at the origins and rise of Gore-Tex.

Gore-Tex a brief history

The early years

Before Gore-Tex, there were plenty of materials to protect you from harsh weather conditions, but they all had different drawbacks. Waxed cotton was heavy. Vinyl could make you drown in your own sweat. Rainwear made from seal intestines was popular with the Inuit, but had little potential for mass production. Then came Gore-Tex.

However, Bob Gore was not trying to improve outerwear when he created Gore-Tex. When he worked in his father's Teflon factory in the late 1960s, he simply tried to make more efficient use of the plastic by stretching it. He accidentally discovered that stretching Teflon filled air pockets. Not only that: the micropores created in his expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePFTE) were 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule but 20,000 times smaller than a droplet. Bob Gore reasoned that if you made a fabric out of ePTFE, you could block rain and still ventilate steaming perspiration, with wind protection as a bonus.

New series and applications

Over the years, Gore has expanded its Gore-Tex range considerably. From the first applications in footwear in the 1980s and in gloves in the 00s. To new variants within clothing aimed at specific needs from the outdoor world. Gore-Tex is constantly innovating.

Because of Gore-Tex's excellent reputation (both thanks to rave reviews from the outdoor world and to an active marketing policy), you can find the membranes in the most renowned outdoor clothing and hiking footwear brands today. Think Adidas, Arc'teryx, Berghaus, Hoka, La Sportiva, Lowa, Mammut, Nike, Patagonia, Salomon and many more.

Gore-Tex and PFCs

Although Gore-Tex's applications make it possible for enthusiasts to enjoy what nature offers us, it unfortunately also has a downside. This is because the membranes made of ePFTE zitten namelijk schadelijke PFC's. Deze geperfluoreerde en gepolyfluoreerde chemicaliën contain harmful PFCs. These perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals are notably found in clothing because of their water-repellent properties. The problem with (many) PFCs is that they are not biodegradable. You can therefore find them in the most bizarre places in the world. For instance, PFCs are found in our stomachs (mostly in the form of miniscule flakes of the well-known Teflon/anti-stick coating of a pan) but also in ice and organisms in Antarctica.

In the various industries that use PFCs, you therefore see more and more initiatives to move away from them in recent years. This also applies to Gore-Tex. With the launch of the ePe membrane, made of polyethylene, they are delivering for the first time a membrane that does not contain any harmful PFCs.

Applications in clothing

There are many applications of Gore-Tex in clothing. Each variant is made with a specific purpose in mind and therefore has its own speciality. To fully understand all the descriptions of these variants, you may need to first read our blog on waterproof membranes in clothing.

Gore-Tex

The regular variant of Gore-Tex is encountered in 2-layer or 3-layer constructions (mostly written as 2L Gore-Tex and 3L Gore-Tex). Products of this variant are waterproof, windproof and breathable. 2L Gore-Tex is often used in winter jackets with an insulating layer and a protective waterproof membrane.

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry: yes

Gore-Tex Active

The Active variant of Gore-Tex is also waterproof, windproof and breathable. This variant always comes in a 3-layer construction, with the backer (the inner protective layer) mostly made of the more comfortable C-Knit Backer material. It thus provides more wearing comfort. In addition, the Active variant is also lighter and in some cases more elastic than the regular variant.

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry: yes

Gore-Tex Infinium

Zie: Gore-Tex Labs Windstopper.

Gore-Tex Paclite

The Paclite is the minimalist variant of Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex Paclite always comes in a 2.5-layer construction. This makes it extremely lightweight and very compact. Gore-Tex Paclite is therefore mainly found in rain jackets, which you wear mainly in emergencies. The rest of the time it sits (taking up little space) in your rucksack. The Paclite variant of Gore-Tex is also waterproof, windproof and breathable.

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry: yes

Gore-Tex Performance

The Performance is the slightly less robust and abrasion-resistant brother of the Gore-Tex Pro variant. Gore-Tex Performance can be found in both 2-layer and 3-layer construction.

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry: yes

Gore-Tex Pro

The Pro - also waterproof, windproof and breathable - is the most robust and hard-wearing variant of Gore-Tex. This comes in handy if you are constantly carrying a heavy backpack or if, for example, you frequently rub your clothing against the mountain while climbing a mountain. Gore-Tex Pro always comes in a 3-layer construction. This already provides more membrane protection than the 2-layer or 2.5-layer construction can offer. Furthermore, the extra robustness compared to other 3-layer Gore-Tex variants is mainly in the strength of the upper fabric. As a result, the Pro does tend to be a relatively heavy variant.

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry: yes

Gore-Tex ShakeDry

In the ShakeDry variant of Gore-Tex, the membrane itself is the outer layer. So it is not protected by an upper fabric, which you see with all other Gore-Tex variants. This also makes the membrane a lot more vulnerable, but it does prevent your membrane from getting flooded. This benefits breathability. You will find this variant of Gore-Tex especially in clothing for activities, where the clothing will suffer little friction (in the form of, for example, a heavy pack).

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry: yes

Applications in shoes

Gore-Tex has several variants that are incorporated into waterproof shoes. These include the "Invisible Fit", the "Surround" and the regular variant. Unfortunately, many shoe brands provide little to no information on exactly which variant they have incorporated into their shoes.

Applications in gloves

Unfortunately, what is true for shoes is also the reality for gloves. Gore-Tex has several variants, including "Grip", "2-in-1" and "Active", but most brands do not specify which variant they have used for the gloves in question.