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Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

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Re: Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

#111
post #82

Gore-TEX and other waterproof breathable (WPB) membrane fabrics are ridiculously oversold to people who don't spend much time outside. The amount of breathability they offer is ludicrously low compared to something like unzipping a jacket zipper or pit vent. If you're moving at all, a WPB jacket means that you'll be drenched from the inside due to sweat, and all that water repelled by your jacket ends up on your pant…

I absolutely agree. The breathability of goretex is extremely poor to the point that I consider it a scam. If it's not raining you'll be way more comfortable with plain fabric, especially wool. If it is raining, you'll be just as comfortable in a plastic raincoat (especially polyurethane) with pit zips, and you will stay dry a lot longer in a heavy pour.

Gore-tex shells don't breath at all unless you keep up the DWR layer on the outside such that the rain beads off. However, if you do regularly maintain the DWR layer, the garment is waterproof anyways without Gore-tex, and more breathable. Moreover, the membranes don't really last a long time, a few year old gore-tex jacket will have a broken membrane, but the nylon outside shell will still look new. I'd guess that about 95% of Gore-tex shells in actual use are no longer waterproof or breathable due to the combo of a split membrane, and worn out DWR coating.

I agree that extreme mountaineering is the one use case where it makes sense. Also, usually with a new top quality outer layer for every trip or every few trips... Even then, there is probably better tech out there, like Columbia OutDry, which puts the membrane on the outside avoiding the need for PFAS based DWR.

Re: Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

#112
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm unsure if you are making a joke about the typesetting system, but here is a straight answer: it is always pronounced like it rhymes with "cortex".

I think they're asking which syllable gets the emphasis.

Neither? It's two words, Gore-Tex.

Re: Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

#113
I've never been sold on Gore-Tex. It's not a great value for most people.

Shoes: good for a few outings (really nice on snow) but then lose their water repellency. If you have sweaty feet, your socks will get wet from sweat anyways. Just bring extra socks or wring them out periodically. Wool socks will feel warm even when wet.

Jackets: great in a downpour but if you're wearing pants, all the water just rolls off your jacket and soaks your pants. Use a weather forecast and just don't go or choose another location if it's going to be pouring out and instead settle for a much lighter water repellent layer for 100s of $$$'s cheaper that works in a light rain or snow. I use the OR Helium. Packs real small.

Otherwise, if your job requires you to stand in the rain all day, definitely invest the $$$.

Re: Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

#114
post #6

It's pretty popular in Germany and the name and logo is often found on outdoor clothing. I always wondered if the name is the same in English speaking countries, or if it's different because of its negative connotations. Apparently it's just a not too uncommon family name (Al Gore comes to mind) and also used as brand name in English speaking countries. People get so upset about Toot and Coq and Gimp, but Gore seems…

I usually see it as GTX

I'm mostly seeing GTX in waterproof shoe models, not so much for jackets and pants. But for shoes/boots, GTX is definitely popular.

Re: Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

#116
post #88
post #82

Gore-TEX and other waterproof breathable (WPB) membrane fabrics are ridiculously oversold to people who don't spend much time outside. The amount of breathability they offer is ludicrously low compared to something like unzipping a jacket zipper or pit vent. If you're moving at all, a WPB jacket means that you'll be drenched from the inside due to sweat, and all that water repelled by your jacket ends up on your pant…

In the PNW, particularly here in BC, Gore-TEX was an absolute game-changer for hikers. Throw on a tank top or tee-shirt, then your Gore-TEX jacket, and you could climb basically any local mountain between March and October, rain or shine. Every local hike went from being a moist, uncomfortable affair to being a joy regardless of the weather.

I had the same experience, except in the Sierra Nevada which doesn’t have conditions as extreme as yours. I had one of the original Gore-TEX ski jacket shells from The North Face, but got rid of it after a few months because it was too warm. It was insanely expensive when it came out.

Re: Gore-TEX, a lightweight, waterproof fabric made from the expanded form of PTFE

#120
post #82

Gore-TEX and other waterproof breathable (WPB) membrane fabrics are ridiculously oversold to people who don't spend much time outside. The amount of breathability they offer is ludicrously low compared to something like unzipping a jacket zipper or pit vent. If you're moving at all, a WPB jacket means that you'll be drenched from the inside due to sweat, and all that water repelled by your jacket ends up on your pant…

It has a place for mariners, too.

Things don't dry on boats. Wool and cotton clothing works like a moisture farm until they rot or fall apart otherwise.

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