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What is Waterproof Gore-Tex®?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Waterproof Gore-Tex® is a combination of materials used primarily in outdoor clothing and equipment that allows that piece of clothing to be both waterproof and breathable. It repels water such as rain, snow, river water, etc. to keep the user's skin dry, but it also allows sweat from the user to escape — this is what makes the material breathable — which also keeps moisture away from the body. Waterproof Gore-Tex® is a technology developed and owned by the W.L. Gore & Associates company.

Due to the demanding conditions in which most outdoor clothing will be used, the materials used to make such clothing must be both durable and waterproof. In the past, nylons and plastics were used to keep moisture away from the skin. These materials are effective in doing so, but they are not breathable. Therefore, users would sweat, which would coat skin and then cool, making the users cold and uncomfortable in extreme conditions.

Guitar strings may use Gore-Tex®.
Guitar strings may use Gore-Tex®.

Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Robert Gore co-invented waterproof Gore-Tex® to meet the demands of outdoor clothing. The waterproof Gore-Tex® system is based on layers: the outer layer of a garment is typically made of polyester or nylon for strength and durability, with the Gore-Tex layer next. This is the waterproof layer, which is made from polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, the same material that comprises Teflon®.

Waterproof Gore-Tex repels snow, and allows sweat from the user to escape.
Waterproof Gore-Tex repels snow, and allows sweat from the user to escape.

Early models of Gore-Tex® rainwear stopped there. However, users found that the waterproof Gore-Tex® layer could be easily damaged by sweat and grime, so subsequent models of the rainwear featured an inner protective polyurethane layer to keep the damage from occurring. Some waterproof variants also feature an inner layer made of a softer, more comfortable material, but this does not contribute in any way to its breathability or waterproofing. Gore-Tex® fabrics can be replenished after time using a water-repellent treatment that can be applied in a washing machine or by using a spray bottle.

Traditional outerwear materials held sweat against the skin, soaking undergarments and causing discomfort for the wearer.
Traditional outerwear materials held sweat against the skin, soaking undergarments and causing discomfort for the wearer.

Since then, W.L. Gore has come up with numerous other uses for waterproof Gore-Tex® materials. Medical instruments are often made of the material, as are instrument strings, such as guitar strings. Because guitar strings often collect grime and oils from the user's fingers, Gore-Tex® is effective in preserving the life of the string by keeping the oils and grime away from the string's core. Gore-Tex® cables are also common on bicycles. Shifter and brake cables can collect dirt and moisture very easily, but Gore-Tex® coating can keep cables sliding smoothly through the cable housing to prevent shifting and braking jams or sluggishness.

Discussion Comments

donasmrs

The issue with Gore-Tex jackets is that they lose their waterproof properties after some use. So instead of the water simply rolling off of the jacket, it starts being absorbed into the fabric. The result is a very damp and cold jacket.

They do sell waterproofing sprays that are supposed to renew the waterproof properties of the jacket. But I feel like this is just a way to make more money. Why can't they make something that has infinite waterproof properties? Why must these qualities wear off with time? I'm sure they're capable of doing this.

literally45

I didn't know that Gore-Tex has so many uses. I've seen the material used in a lot of clothing items like jackets, shoes, hats and exercise pants. But I had not heard of its other uses like bike cables and instrument strings. That's interesting.

ddljohn

My hiking shoes' top layer is made of waterproof Gore-Tex and it's great. My biggest problem when hiking was wet, cold and sweaty feet. If I accidentally stepped in a puddle, I had to change my socks and always had to carry extra pairs for that reason. Even if the shoes didn't get wet, my feet would sweat from all the walking and become uncomfortable simply due to that.

Gore-Tex doesn't let water in and my feet stay dry. I've also noticed that this material provides a lot of air circulation as the article mentioned. So it reduces sweating and moisture inside the shoe. I wish I had discovered shoes with Gore-Tex before because it has made a huge difference for my hiking trips.

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    • Guitar strings may use Gore-Tex®.
      By: schankz
      Guitar strings may use Gore-Tex®.
    • Waterproof Gore-Tex repels snow, and allows sweat from the user to escape.
      By: valeasca
      Waterproof Gore-Tex repels snow, and allows sweat from the user to escape.
    • Traditional outerwear materials held sweat against the skin, soaking undergarments and causing discomfort for the wearer.
      By: jedi-master
      Traditional outerwear materials held sweat against the skin, soaking undergarments and causing discomfort for the wearer.