A Guide To GORE-TEX Technology

MADE FOR PASSIONS. TESTED FOR LIFE

Since 1969, GORE have been making garments that are waterproof, windproof, breathable, lightweight and rugged, so that you can make more of every adventure.

From the Original GORE-TEX fabric membrane, the range has expanded into multiple iterations; each tailored to excel during specific activities. These individual membranes give you a bespoke level of protection and performance that is unrivalled.

GORE continuously endeavour to produce better performing fabrics, investing in R&D, manufacturing and testing. This strive for perfection also involves taking responsibility for preserving the outdoor environments we all enjoy and cherish.

Their environmental approach takes into consideration verified science, life cycle assessments and durability of items. From these investigations, GORE have implemented and committed to numerous changes to minimise their environmental footprint.

They also have a big focus on their social impact and how they can help to enhance the lives of their workers, suppliers and wider communities across the world. This involves working closely with numerous charities and not-for-profit organisations that plant trees, provide free education, highlight environmental issues and work to eliminate poverty.

Suitable for hiking, climbing, travel and casual walks, GORE-TEX Paclite® Plus is the perfect backup shell that is light and small to carry but offers full protection against the elements.

The construction is similar to GORE-TEX Active but slightly thicker, more durable and comfortable, ideal for less intense activities. Its lightweight design provides little or no bulk for fluid movement and lends itself to multi-day trips where you are trying to minimise pack weight.

When it does rains, the durable waterproof construction keeps you dry and stops wind lowering your body temperature. The GORE-TEX membrane is also highly efficient at letting sweat vapour escape for a dry and comfortable environment inside the garments.

GORE-TEX Paclite® Plus is constructed from two layers that result in a thin and ultralight fabric. The outer layer is thin and supple, aiding mobility and breathability, while the inner layer is a GORE-TEX membrane that protects against wind and rain yet still remains breathable.

Where the material differs vastly is the treatment that is applied directly to the back of the membrane. This abrasion resistant treatment is much thinner than traditional 3 layer systems but provides many of the same benefits.

It increases the lifetime of the garment and offers more reliable protection as well as improved next-to-skin comfort. This thin backing also contributes to a slimmer fabric overall which means sweat vapour has less material to travel through bettering breathability.

For fast-paced, high-intensity activities such as trail running, road cycling, mountaineering or ski touring, GORE-TEX Active garments are ideal.

The lightweight and highly breathable GORE-TEX fabric prevents a build up of sweat keeping you cool during ascents and warm when cooling down. If the weather is bad it will still protect you from rain and wind.

When not in use the jackets pack down to a small size for easy, ultralight carrying – enabling you to press on with smashing your personal best.

GORE-TEX Active is a three-layer fabric that realises its place as the lightest and most breathable in the GORE-TEX family because of two main factors. The membrane itself is lighter and thinner and the outer layer is made from a finer material that amalgamates weight savings with performance.

This thinner and lighter fabric results in a softer more natural feel to the garments and because of the more efficient breathability, you remain drier and more comfortable for extended periods of exercise.

Certain GORE-TEX Active products have GORE-TEX stretch technology integrated into key areas which allow the wearer a greater range of unrestricted movement and helps the jacket or pants flow with your movement.

Trusted by mountain guides and alpine athletes, GORE-TEX Pro jackets and pants deliver class-leading weather protection for the most inhospitable of conditions.

If you're halfway up a backcountry trail and a storm rolls in with snow and sleet this technology will help you outlast the weather blocking out the wind and keeping you dry and comfortable.

These garments are made with a tougher face fabric that will withstand abrasions that naturally occur when travelling through technical terrain yet remains light in weight for fast and nimble movements. This blend of weather protection and durability at such a competitive weight make it the gold-standard in breathable and waterproof fabrics.

The unique construction of GORE-TEX Pro fabric starts with a thick 40 plus denier outer layer that is burly enough to stand up to knocks and grazes, protecting the membrane and extending the life of the garment.

Underneath the outer is a waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane that delivers industry-leading performance in all of these areas.

Bonded to the inside of the membrane is a thin GORE Micro Backer which enhances the efficiency of the whole garment. It improves breathability by limiting skin oil and dirt contact with the membrane that can block pores, cuts down on internal abrasion and increases snag resistance. The Micro Backer does all this while remaining incredibly light helping to keep the overall weight of the garment as low as possible.

Whether you’re out running a forest trail or pottering around town, the one part of your body that is always under strain and stress is your feet. That’s why GORE-TEX footwear has been designed to improve comfort and protection for better feeling feet.

GORE-TEX shoes and boots are constructed with GORE-TEX’s famous waterproof and breathable membrane and a combination of outer and inner layers - further improving protection and durability.

This combo of attributes enables to you take on outdoor adventures confident in the fact that your feet have the best possible protection and comfort.

GORE-TEX Invisible Fit Footwear is designed for fast-paced activities such as trail running and scrambling. A water-resistant upper of the manufacture's choice is directly bonded to a GORE-TEX membrane. This results in an 18% lighter shoe that delivers excellent wet weather performance with 50% faster drying times and reduced pressure points.

GORE-TEX Surround Footwear provides best-in-class breathability with high-level durable waterproof and windproof protection that’s ideal for hiking, mountaineering and commuting in a moderate to warmer conditions. The shoes or boots incorporate a GORE-TEX membrane that fully incases your foot like a sock - offering 360 degree climate control and protection. This works best under the base of your foot where a 'spacer structure' allows sweat to travel through an expanse until it exits the shoe via side vents. The result is faster sweat removal - keeping your feet dry and comfortable even at high temperatures.

GORE-TEX Insulated Comfort Footwear dispenses thermal insulation that is light in weight and breathable so that in winter, alpine conditions your feet will be warm without overheating. This blend of thermal efficiency, waterproof protection and breathability gives you an advantage in challenging environments, helping you top out technical ice climbs and mountaineering routes.

Built for an urban active lifestyle, GORE-TEX Infinium enables you to be outside for longer and more often without sacrificing style.

The technology prioritises comfort and breathability, ideal for casual wear whether your meeting friends for coffee, commuting by bike or out walking your dog.

Under the Infinium banner, there are a few technologies:

1. GORE Infinium Windstopper garments are lightweight, highly breathable, water resistant and totally windproof - keeping you warm for longer which is especially useful when cycling.

2. GORE-TEX Infinium Persistent Beading jackets have a GORE-TEX membrane as the outer layer removing the need for and weight of a face fabric; inside the membrane is a soft inner liner for comfort.

3. GORE-TEX Infinium Stretch technology, in gloves, is a unique soft-to-touch material that gives a close 3D fit for less bulk and a full dexterity while remaining totally windproof and breathable.

Gore Infinium Windstopper (GIW) items are constructed with a lightweight outer that features a DWR (Durable Water Resistant) coating followed by a GORE Windproof layer below which blocks 100% of wind, keeping you warm. Any jacket, pant or glove that uses this fabric is highly breathable, soft and flexible, and will pack down to a small size for easy storage when not in use.

GORE-TEX Infinium Persistent Beading (GIPB) jackets are made from a single GORE-TEX membrane removing the need for an outer layer which decreases weight and dramatically increases breathability. Below the membrane is a soft liner that sits comfortably next to your skin.

Gloves that feature GORE-TEX Infinium imitate the natural shape of your hands for a closer fit allowing you to get more done. Over the entire finger area, a single seam removes bulk utilising 35% less material. And a windproof membrane ensures no wind gets through to chill your skin.

All GORE-TEX and GORE garments, boots, shoes are designed to be durable and offer high levels of protection and performance for years. They do require some maintenance to keep them performing at their best but this is quick and easy to carry out.

One of the advantages of GORE-TEX fabrics is that the drop off in protection and breathability is so minimal that when you're in remote locations or on extended trips, where it is not possible to properly maintain the garments, you still receive excellent levels of performance.

This award-winning and consistent performance has lead it to be the go-to choice of expedition teams across the globe – helping them pioneer routes in the most severe of conditions.

GORE-TEX maintenance can be broken down into two or sometimes three stages: cleaning, drying and re-proofing.

Simply place your garment in the wash on a warm permanent press cycle (40C), with a small amount of liquid detergent (it's safest to use GORE-TEX specific washing liquid) and limit any spinning. The cleaning phase clears out grime, dirt and, skin oil from the pores in the membrane or inner layer allowing for maximum breathability. It also boosts the speed at which water vapour passes through any outer layers.

Next is the drying process. You can allow your item to drip dry on a line but if you tumble dry it for twenty minutes on a warm and gentle setting the heat will reactivate the DWR treatment, restoring the outer layer's water protection.

If you feel like the DWR coating is not restoring as it should (beading on the jacket surface) it may be time to reapply a new coating. Over time, the treatment will naturally become less effective, rubbing off with abrasions in storage or when wearing a backpack. Once the jacket has been cleaned you can spray on a fresh DWR coating or some manufacturers offer two in one wash and re-proof detergents.