When it comes to outdoor gear, few brand names are as synonymous with high-quality materials as Gore-Tex. This innovative fabric technology has been a staple in the outdoor industry for decades, providing reliable waterproofing and breathability for everything from rain jackets to hiking boots. But as the brand has evolved over the years, so too have the materials it offers.
Two of the most popular options on the market today are Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro. Both promise to keep you dry in even the wettest conditions, but there are key differences between the two. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Gore-Tex vs Gore-Tex Pro materials, and help you decide which one is right for your outdoor adventures.
So buckle up, grab a cup of coffee, and let's dive in. History
In the early 1960s, Bob Gore, a chemical engineer at W. L. Gore & Associates, was working with a type of polymer called expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). This material was known for its unique properties - it was lightweight, flexible, and had a high melting point - but it wasn't initially clear what it could be used for.
One day in 1969, while working with ePTFE in the lab, Bob Gore discovered that he could stretch the material and create a porous membrane with billions of tiny holes. This membrane was water-resistant and breathable, making it an ideal material for outdoor gear. And thus, Gore-Tex was born.
The first Gore-Tex product to hit the market was a waterproof, breathable rain jacket, which quickly became a hit with outdoor enthusiasts. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate and refine the technology, expanding into a wide range of products, from shoes and gloves to tents and backpacks. Today, Gore-Tex is one of the most trusted and well-known brands in the outdoor industry, and continues to be a go-to choice for those looking for reliable waterproofing and breathability in their gear.
How does it work?
Gore-Tex works by utilising a membrane made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with billions of tiny pores. These pores are small enough to prevent liquid water from penetrating through the material, but large enough to allow water vapor (such as sweat) to escape from the inside of the garment.
When water droplets land on the surface of a Gore-Tex fabric, they bead up and roll off, thanks to the water-resistant coating applied to the outer layer of the material. Meanwhile, the water vapour produced by the body's natural sweating process is able to escape through the pores in the membrane, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable.
Gore-Tex is also windproof, which helps to keep cold air from chilling the body. Additionally, some Gore-Tex materials include a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment, which further enhances the water-resistance of the fabric by causing water droplets to bead up and roll off the surface of the material.
Overall, Gore-Tex is a highly effective material for outdoor gear, providing both waterproofing and breathability to help keep wearers dry and comfortable in a variety of weather conditions.
Applications
Gore-Tex is used for a wide variety of outdoor gear and apparel, including jackets, pants, gloves, hats, shoes, and backpacks. It is a popular choice for any activity that involves exposure to wet or rainy conditions, such as hiking, camping, skiing, and mountaineering.
In addition to its waterproof and breathable properties, Gore-Tex is also highly durable and abrasion-resistant, making it a good choice for gear that will be subjected to rough and rugged use. Many top outdoor gear brands use Gore-Tex in their products, and the material has become synonymous with high-quality outdoor apparel and equipment.
Gore-Tex is also used in other industries beyond outdoor gear, such as medical devices and industrial applications, where its unique properties are highly valued. Overall, Gore-Tex is a versatile material that has many different applications, but it is perhaps most well-known and beloved in the outdoor industry for its ability to keep wearers dry and comfortable in even the wettest conditions.
Gore-Tex vs Gore-Tex Pro
Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro are both waterproof and breathable materials used in outdoor gear and apparel, but there are a few key differences between the two.
Durability: Gore-Tex Pro is designed to be more durable and long-lasting than regular Gore-Tex. It features a heavier weight fabric and a more robust construction, which makes it better suited to more extreme outdoor activities.
Breathability: While both materials are designed to be breathable, Gore-Tex Pro is more breathable than regular Gore-Tex. This is because Gore-Tex Pro has a more open construction, with larger pores in the membrane, which allows for greater airflow and better ventilation.
Water Resistance: Both materials are highly water-resistant, but Gore-Tex Pro is slightly more waterproof than regular Gore-Tex. This is because it has a higher level of water resistance in its coating, which helps to repel water droplets more effectively.
Cost: Gore-Tex Pro is generally more expensive than regular Gore-Tex, due to its higher level of durability and performance.
In summary, Gore-Tex Pro is designed for more extreme outdoor activities, where durability and breathability are especially important. It is more expensive than regular Gore-Tex, but offers better performance in harsh conditions. Regular Gore-Tex is still an excellent material for outdoor gear and apparel, but may not be as well-suited for the most extreme activities.
Ultimately, the choice between Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the individual user.
The degree of breathability that the two textiles offer is another distinction between them. Because of its excellent permeability, Gore-Tex is well known for regulating body temperature and preventing overheating during moderate levels of exertion. The even increased breathability of Gore-Tex Pro, on the other hand, makes it perfect for high-intensity activities that produce a lot of heat and perspiration.
Both Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro use a similar waterproofing technology known as "Gore-Tex membrane." Millions of microscopic pores that are too big for vapour molecules to leave but too small for water droplets to pass through make up this membrane. This keeps out rain and snow while allowing sweat and moisture to escape from the interior of the garment.
Overall, the type of activity that Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro are intended for is the primary distinction between them. Unlike Gore-Tex Pro, which is more specialised and designed for high-intensity sports that demand a higher level of durability and breathability, Gore-Tex is a trustworthy fabric that is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities.
Breathability
Waterproof materials' breathability is frequently assessed by how much moisture vapour can permeate the cloth in a certain amount of time. The standard unit of measurement for this is grammes per square metre per twenty-four hours (g/m2/24h).
A cloth is draped over a tiny chamber with a calibrated humidity and temperature sensor to determine how permeable it is. The amount of moisture vapour that flows through the cloth after it has been treated to a specified temperature and humidity gradient is measured. To provide a comprehensive view of the fabric's breathability, this procedure is repeated in a variety of temperature and humidity settings.
The "sweating guarded hot plate" approach and the "sweating thermal manikin" method are just two of the techniques that can be used to gauge a fabric's breathability. Organisations like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) have standardised these procedures (ASTM).
It is crucial to remember that a fabric's breathability can be impacted by a variety of elements, such as the environment's temperature and humidity, the kind and intensity of the activity being done, and the design and materials of the fabric. As a result, it is challenging to draw firm conclusions about the differences between various materials based solely on their breathability ratings.
Water Repellency
The amount of water pressure that a waterproof fabric can withstand before beginning to leak is commonly used to measure the fabric's water resistance. Water column pressure is typically measured in millimetres (mm) units.
A fabric is draped over a tiny chamber holding a calibrated pressure sensor to determine its water resistance. The point at which water begins to seep through the fabric is then measured after the fabric has been subjected to increasing water pressure. To ensure accuracy and calculate the fabric's water resistance rating, this operation is repeated several times.
A fabric's water resistance can be determined using a number of techniques, such as the "hydrostatic head" method and the "Spray test." Organisations like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) have standardised these procedures (ASTM).
It is crucial to remember that a fabric's ability to resist water can be influenced by a variety of elements, including the water's surface tension, the size and form of the water droplets, and the fabric's porosity and roughness. As a result, it is challenging to draw firm conclusions about the differences between various materials based solely on their water-resistance ratings.
The decision between Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro ultimately depends on the intended use of the material. Gore-Tex is a versatile and durable option for a wide range of outdoor activities, while Gore-Tex Pro is specifically designed for more extreme and demanding conditions. Gore-Tex Pro offers enhanced breathability, durability, and weather protection, making it the preferred choice for serious adventurers and professionals in the field. However, it's important to note that Gore-Tex Pro is typically more expensive than Gore-Tex, and may not be necessary for casual or recreational outdoor enthusiasts. Regardless of which material is chosen, Gore-Tex continues to be a reliable and trusted choice for high-quality outdoor gear.
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