What

is

GORE-TEX?

Understanding

Tex-membranes

The history of GORE-TEX

GORE-TEX technology was conceived in Delaware back in 1959. After discovering the synthetic polymer PTFE, Bill Gore and his wife Genevieve set up a new company in the basement of their home. Together with their son Bob, they continued to further develop the fiber and explore its potential further – with great success. Fast forward 10 years later, where Bob made the break-through discovery: Quickly pulling apart PTFE created expanded PTFE (or ePTFE for short), a highly robust and microporous material with qualities that would turn out to be perfect for making outdoor clothing and more. The GORE-TEX technology was born, and brought to market integrated into clothing for the first time in 1976, seven years after its discovery.

What is GORE-TEX?

GORE-TEX is a microporous textile membrane. It’s made up of expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) and known for being permanently waterproof, completely windproof, yet still very breathable. One GORE-TEX membrane has roughly 1.3 million pores per square centimeter (for context: human facial skin only has about 800) – which makes up the basis for the clever membrane technology. The diameter of one pore is 20,000 times smaller than the diameter of a raindrop, but 770 times larger than one molecule of aqueous vapor. This keeps out moisture from rain, snow and other water sources, while still allowing sweat to vaporize and escape. Thanks to the special material it’s made of, the membrane is also windproof – making it the ideal choice for all kinds of outdoor activities. That’s why GORE-TEX is used for a variety of high-performance outdoor clothing – from waterproof jackets  and waterproof pants  to shoes  and gloves .

Nowadays, GORE-TEX membranes made from ePE (expanded polyethylene) are available as well. These are made without adding per- and poly-fluorous substances, which reduces the environmental impact without compromising on the waterproof qualities, breathability and durability associated with ePTFE. Recycled and/or dyed textiles have also been added to the GORE-TEX range to protect the natural environment we love to explore.

Did you know? GORE-TEX technology is not just limited to use in outdoor clothing. It’s also used for medical purposes, e.g.in face prosthetics or for sealing hernias.

GORE-TEX Pro: Made for extreme conditions

GORE-TEX ist perfect for both winter sports  and activities like hiking , climbing , mountaineering , as well as everyday use .

If you're into extreme sports, GORE-TEX Pro  is the way to go. The membrane is firmly fused together with an impregnated, hard-wearing outer material and a durable base on the inside (laminated). This makes clothing even more hard-wearing, more lightweight and more breathable – perfect for ice climbing, mountaineering, expeditions and more. In short: For every activity putting a lot of strain on your body, and sports in extreme weather conditions.

And because different types of sporting activities require different types of clothing, you can choose from three different varieties of pro membrane:

• GORE-TEX Pro Most Rugged (extremely hard-wearing)

• GORE-TEX Pro Most Breathable (maximum breathability)

• GORE-TEX Pro Stretch (optimum freedom of movement)

Despite their different key characteristics, they all have one thing in common: uncompromising protection against the elements in the form of permanent water- and windproofness.

Does GORE-TEX retain heat?

The answer is both yes and no. Because the membrane is windproof and breathable, it ensures your body won’t cool down because of the wind and sweat. That being said, GORE-TEX alone won’t keep you warm when it’s cold outside – to achieve this, you’ll need to combine it with an insulating layer below, like merino wool or fleece. Dressing in layers – which is all about a base layer for wicking away moisture, an insulating mid-layer and a protective GORE-TEX outer layer – will keep you warm and dry even in challenging weather conditions.

How to care for GORE-TEX

Like with softshell jackets and hardshell jackets, there’s one simple rule for all types of clothing incorporating GORE-TEX: Clean if necessary, but not too often! If your outdoor performance wear  with integrated membrane needs washing, make sure to stick to the following:

• GORE-TEX clothing can be machine washed at 40 ° C using a gentle cycle – just make sure to close all zippers first.

• Important: Don’t use powder detergent or fabric softener! Both can clog the microscopic pores of the membrane. The same goes for bleach and stain removers.

• Always use liquid detergent – ideally, this will be specially formulated for outdoor clothing.

• Add one extra rinsing cycle to make sure there’s no laundry liquid residue left in the pores.

• Keep the spinning speed at a minimum to avoid creasing of the membrane and clothing itself.

• Leave everything to air-dry or drop it into the dryer, using a gentle cycle.

Also: If you happen to notice that the water doesn’t drip off the surface of your clothing the way it used to, it’s time to give the impregnation (DWR) a refresh. Make sure to use a special impregnation spray or washing solution suitable for GORE-TEX membranes. Ideally, you should apply this directly after washing onto your still wet clothes, making sure the product is evenly distributed across the surface. You can treat the areas around the arms and shoulders, which are usually most exposed to strain, with a second impregnation layer. Afterward, it’s best to dry your clothes in the dryer, or to iron them at a low temperature with a towel in between – heat will activate most impregnation products.

Important: Always follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer!

Are there other Tex-membranes?

GORE-TEX may be the best known manufacturer of waterproof and breathable tex-membranes, but they’re not the only one. Another widely known alternative is eVent, which uses a differently structured membrane to achieve an even higher level of breathability. Sympatex membranes are great for their environmentally friendly production without the use of PTFE and PFC, whereas Dermizax boasts a particularly high elasticity and durability. And last, but not least, there’s our very own, highly functional Mammut DRY membrane with a hydrostatic head of 15,000 millimeters.

By the way: Our patented Mammut DRY technology is available in three finishes to complement your favorite activity. Time to find out whether Mammut DRY Tour , Mammut DRY Active  or Mammut DRY Expedition  are the perfect match for your outdoor adventures!

To sum it all up: What is GORE-TEX?

GORE-TEX is an innovative membrane technology used in high-end outdoor clothing. It is waterproof, windproof and breathable at the same time. Made from ePTFE with microscopic pores that are smaller than raindrops, yet bigger than molecules of aqueous vapor, the membrane keeps out rain and snow while allowing sweat to evaporate and escape. The result: You’ll stay dry and comfortable, even in extreme weather conditions and during strenuous activities. Simply add a warming layer like a base layer , long sleeve shirt  and/or fleece jacket  underneath for a layered look – and say goodbye to the cold!