technology comparison
GORE-TEX vs Pertex Shield
This comparison is mostly about price, weight and who guarantees the garment. Pertex Shield is a fabric supplied to brands; GORE-TEX is a certified system that constrains how the garment is built.
No forced winner
Last updated
Side by side
Manufacturer figures where published, otherwise stated as unpublished
| Attribute | GORE-TEX | Pertex Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | W. L. Gore & Associates | Mitsui / Pertex |
| Membrane type | Microporous expanded membrane | Polyurethane membrane, several tiers |
| Published waterproof rating | Not publicly specified by manufacturer | Not publicly specified by manufacturer |
| Garment certification | Yes | No, brand specifies the garment |
| Typical weight | Wide range | Often lighter packages |
| Typical price | Higher | Lower |
| Resale recognition | Strong | Weaker |
| Common uses | All-round and alpine shells | Light hiking and emergency shells |
Which should you choose?
Recommendations by reader, not one overall verdict
If budget is the binding constraint
Pertex Shield gets you taped seams and real waterproofing for less money.
If the shell is your primary mountain layer
GORE-TEX offers more durable constructions and a garment-level guarantee.
If you carry a backup shell in a pack
A light Pertex Shield jacket is the more sensible purchase, and lighter to ignore.
Sources
- officialPertex Shield range
- officialGORE-TEX technology overview