Information About GoreTex

GORE-TEX is a waterproof but breathable fabric.

Gore-Tex is a type of popular waterproof fabric. It is a trademarked material owned by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. It is renown for its strength, light weight, waterproofing and breathability. It is often used in jackets and for backpacks and for other uses where this kind of fabric is important.

History

According to gore-tex.com, Gore-Tex was made when Bob Gore stretched out a kind of chemical composition called polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE in 1969. However, Gore-Tex fabric was not introduced until 1978. Gore-Tex is widely used today throughout the world.

Significance

Gore-Tex has 9 billion pores per square inch. The pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but 700 times larger than water vapor. Gore-Tex is known not just for its waterproofing but for its breathability. Many fabrics may boast similar waterproofing, but they will hold your sweat in during exhausting activities, basically rendering the jacket useless. There is also a membrane on Gore-Tex that keeps contaminants that might reduce the waterproofness or breathability of the fabric. The U.S. Army uses Gore-Tex in its "Eckwacks," or Extended Cold Weather Clothing Systems.

Identification

Since Gore-Tex is a trademarked material, you will only see Gore-Tex fabrics that are marked with a Gore-Tex brand logo. Gore-Tex makes outdoor clothing, boots and gloves.

Misconceptions

Seth Stevenson, an author for Slate.com, says that what is basically expanded Teflon (the base of Gore-Tex) is great at being breathable and waterproof. However, he says the misconception is that Teflon is all there is in the Gore-Tex fabric. The real waterproofing comes from the membrane that is put on the outside of the Gore-Tex, polyurethane (PU). Stevenson claims that this membrane is breathable but not nearly as breathable as the stretched out Teflon, and therefore Gore-Tex is only as breathable as the polyurethane membrane. However, there are other outer fabrics that can go outside of the Gore-Tex layer, according to Gore-Tex.com. These outer fabrics can change the warmth and breathability of the whole fabric.

Considerations

There are other breathable, waterproof fabrics now. Much has changed in fabric technology since the invention of Gore-Tex in 1978. There are now fabrics that are breathable and waterproof, but with the added effect of being either antibacterial, windproof or good for the environment. Consider which fabric would work best in your situation when buying outdoor wear.

References

• FabricLink.com: Trademark Search
• Slate.com: Who'll Stop the Rain, and Yet Remain Breathable

Resources

• Gore-Tex