What Is Gore-Tex? The Complete Guide to Gore-Tex

While it seems hard to believe, there was most certainly (and remarkably recently) a time before technical outdoor fabrics. In fact, the category has really only existed for the last century, give or take. Before, if you wanted a pair of pants, footwear, or a jacket that was resistant to the elements, you had to take the materials from nature. But then some ingenious folks came along — scientists, you might call them — and changed everything.

One of the pioneering materials that changed the face of outdoor gear forever is, undoubtedly, GORE-TEX. A wonder material that makes anything imbued with it resistant to even the harshest of outdoor conditions and weather events. To most folks, even those who spend a significant amount of time using the stuff, GORE-TEX is still somewhat of a mystery. And that’s why we’ve put together the following guide to tell you everything you need to know about GORE-TEX.

Originally called simply ‘Gore,’ the brand was launched way back in 1959 in the basement of Wilbert L. “Bill” and Genevieve “Vieve” Gore in Newark, Delaware. Of course, that humble beginning is not without a bit of industry connectedness and history, as Bill actually worked at DuPont — the legendary brand responsible for the creation of legendary materials ranging from neoprene, to Teflon, to Kevlar, to Mylar, and more. However, Bill saw potential in a material called polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, for short) that DuPont didn’t. So, he left the company to start his own. A risky venture, to be sure, but it most definitely paid off.

It wouldn’t be until 10 years later, however, that their first big innovation would be discovered. In fact, it wasn’t even the brand’s founders who made the discovery, but rather their son, Bob Gore. In an experiment, Bob rapidly stretched PTFE and found that it had a number of unique properties — including high tensile strength, durability, and resistance to water penetration. NASA’s Columbia astronauts went to space wearing suits made with GORE-TEX fabrics. They decided to call this innovation expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and were rewarded a patent for it in 1970.

By 1976, the brand was taking commercial orders for jackets with the world’s first water and windproof membrane that was also breathable. While this was enough to put GORE-TEX on the map, the brand wasn’t satisfied with resting on their laurels. So they continued to innovate over the following years. This resulted in a number of other new developments that ranged from GORE-SEAM taped seams that made their jackets even more waterproof, to 2-layer fabrics, to glove inserts, to boot liners, and more. In fact, in 1981, NASA’s Columbia astronauts went to space wearing suits made with GORE-TEX fabrics.

That was just the beginning. Today, their offerings extend to all measure of categories, from featherlight rain jackets, to camping tents, to waterproof shoe and boot membranes — the list just keeps going. And they’re so confident in all of their products that every single one comes with a lifetime guarantee they call the “GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY” promise. Better still (and according to the brand), they’re far from finished. They’ve committed to continually innovating and, if history is any indication, there’s still a lot left to see.

Everybody knows that GORE-TEX technologies make for textiles that are waterproof, windproof, and breathable — or at least you should by now. But how that technology works is a different mystery entirely. Rather than being an impermeable membrane, the surface of a GORE-TEX membrane is actually porous. And while the science behind it probably seems like a daunting thing, it’s actually quite simple when you break it down to its base element.

GORE-TEX, in the simplest terms we can manage, functions via a layering system. Typically, that includes an outer shell (in jackets, this is most often nylon or polyester), an inner liner (usually a soft and comfortable fabric), and the middle membrane. It’s this membrane in the center of the fabric sandwich that really makes the magic happen. Older waterproof membranes were usually made from polyurethane, which is waterproof, but extremely stuffy, as it works more like a tarp — not letting moisture in or out on either side of the fabric in any meaningful capacity.

The ePTFE material that GORE-TEX patented and made famous works quite differently, however. Rather than being an impermeable membrane, the surface of a GORE-TEX membrane is actually porous — originally boasting something in the realm of nine billion pores per square inch. What makes that special is that the pores are roughly 1/20,000 the size of a water droplet — meaning they’re too small for liquid water to penetrate, making the fabric completely waterproof. It doesn’t stop there, though, as it’s those same pores that also make the material breathable. This is because, while they’re too small for liquid water to get in, they’re 700 times larger than water vapor molecules. This means that, when gaseous, water can escape through the membrane, thus making the fabric breathable.

While GORE-TEX membranes do make fabrics waterproof, they need some help to perform their best. This most often comes in the form of taped seams — a technology the brand developed in-house to make fabric meeting points weatherproof — and DWR coatings. Short for Durable Water Repellant, DWR coatings help keep water from accumulating on the surface of a fabric, keeping the outer layer from being bogged down with moisture and allowing vapor to escape through the GORE-TEX membrane’s pores. This combination of technologies and the brand’s commitment to continually improving their suite of offerings is what has helped made GORE-TEX an industry standard for literal decades.

Types of GORE-TEX

While the exact type of GORE-TEX isn’t always specified, here are the ones you’ll see the most often:

Infinium Windstopper: As the only GORE-TEX material that’s not completely waterproof, Infinium Windstopper is certainly windproof, with billions of pores that are 900 times larger than water molecules, which lets sweat out while keeping you warm. It’s also DWR-coated for extra water repellance. You’ll likely see this material on biking, hiking, and workout gear.

Paclite: Named for its packability and lightweightness, Paclite precludes the need for additional lining since it’s always dual-layered, bonded directly to one another. Still waterproof and breathable, and also windproof, Paclite is common in hiking and backpacking gear.

Pro Technology: Referring to one or all of GORE-TEX Pro Most Durable, Pro Most Breathable, and Pro Most Rugged, this tech is used for the most extreme conditions, including highly technical gear.

Invisible Fit Footwear: Used as a membrane on, you guessed it, footwear, Invisible Fit is bonded to the shoe’s uppers to make them waterproof and breathable. The process is an early part of the manufacturing process of the shoe rather than added later on.

Surround: A bolstered version of Invisible Fit, GORE-TEX Surround is used for more extreme outdoor footwear, especially to improve heat and moisture control while also maintaining breathability.

What once started off as a waterproof liner used in jackets has since exploded into every corner of the outdoor world. No matter what kind of gear you’re looking for — be it apparel, camping accommodations, footwear (both everyday style and rugged outdoor-ready varieties), and more — you’ll see offerings built with GORE-TEX fabrics, membranes, etc. And that makes sense since the GORE-TEX lineup is perhaps the most reliable and accessible weatherproofing presently available — and probably will be well into the future.

GOREWEAR Shield Socks

GOREWEAR is a brand that exclusively specializes in using GORE-TEX in its products, and their Shield Socks are proof positive as to just how versatile the material really is. Great for hiking and everyday wear, the socks are super comfortable, built with a polyester-elastane blend and sport a reflective logo on the back. When it comes to hiking, not only will these quarter-length stockings block wind chill entirely but they’re incredibly lightweight and thin, all thanks to GORE-TEX’s INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER, which can still excrete moisture from sweat.

REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants

A staple of winter wear, waterproof pants are a must-have for anyone looking to hit the trails. Yet, these GORE-TEX lined offerings have a bit of a leg-up on the competition, as they can keep you dry from rain or snow but will still allow your legs to breathe, making them a bit more comfortable than they’d otherwise be. They also feature windproof properties from dual-layered GORE-TEX PACLITE, known for its titanium laminate which benefits from extreme packability. The knees are articulated and the ankles come equipped with zippers and hem adjustment.

Hestra Army Leather GORE-TEX Glove

When enduring the winter snow, quality gloves are a crucial part of your wardrobe. From a brand known for blending form and function well with their gear, Hestra’s Army Leather GORE-TEX Glove is perfect for the job, featuring a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX membrane with fleece lining and Fiberfill synthetic insulation for lightweight yet effective warmth. Weighing just 8.4oz per pair, these gauntlet-style gloves sport goat leather on the palm of the nylon shell fabric. To make sure that these fit on your hands perfectly, they also come equipped with multiple adjustment options, including a hook-and-loop closure and elastic drawcord.

Outdoor Research Foray II GORE-TEX Jacket

Even premium high-end technical brands, like Outdoor Research, trust in GORE-TEX when it comes to waterproofing their jackets. And their Foray II is a perfect example. Built for unrestricted mobility in all conditions, this rainproof outerwear was made for the rigors of the unpredictability of wintertime hiking. While it will inherently keep you plenty dry, it also features an internal front storm flap, fully-taped seams, TorsoFLo vents on the sides for extra airflow, and YKK AquaGuard zippers to keep everything in your pockets rain- and snow-free. Built with dual-layer GORE-TEX PACLITE, the coat is lined with 50D polyester for support, so it’s still incredibly lightweight.

Arc’teryx Acrux TR GTX Boot

GORE-TEX membranes can be added to all sorts of gear nowadays, but it’s especially helpful when added to a superb pair of hiking boots — like Arc’teryx’s Acrux TR GTX Boot you see here. By making these even more waterproof, the material elevates them beyond being a sturdy pair of high-top hikers and turns them into four-season essentials — especially when you consider they also boast a Vibram Megagrip outsole and SuperFabric uppers with micro-plated tech that’s lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and super flexible. Whether hiking your favorite local trail or hitting the peaks at a National Park, these boots will serve you well.

The Best Winter Hiking Boots

If you want to stock up on some of the finest GORE-TEX gear, check out our guide to the best winter hiking boots, many of which feature the waterproof-breathable material.