Technology database

Waterproof Technologies & Membranes

Every membrane platform in the database, with its owner, construction options and published specifications. Where a manufacturer does not publish a hydrostatic-head or breathability figure, the record says so rather than estimating one.

17 platformsLast verified 2026-09-01

W. L. Gore & Associates

GORE-TEX

The most widely licensed waterproof laminate platform in outdoor clothing. Gore certifies finished garments rather than selling fabric alone, which is why construction quality is comparatively consistent across brands.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

W. L. Gore & Associates

GORE-TEX ePE

Gore's PFC-free-membrane platform, introduced to replace expanded PTFE in much of its consumer range. Thinner and lighter membranes are typical, with the same garment-level certification approach.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

W. L. Gore & Associates

GORE-TEX PRO

The most rugged tier of the GORE-TEX range, built only as a three-layer laminate for alpine and professional use. Variants trade abrasion resistance against stretch and breathability within one garment.

3L

Patagonia

H2No Performance Standard

H2No is a testing standard rather than a single membrane. Patagonia specifies laminates from several suppliers and holds them to its own wet and wash cycle protocol.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

The North Face

FUTURELIGHT

An electrospun membrane platform built around air permeability, so a shell can vent passively rather than relying only on zips. Face fabrics and backers vary widely across the range.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

The North Face

DryVent

The North Face's volume waterproof platform, used across accessible price points in 2L, 2.5L and 3L builds.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Mitsui / Pertex

Pertex Shield

A fabric-supplier platform used widely by British and European mountain brands, often in very light hiking and emergency shells.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Columbia

OutDry Extreme

Inverts normal shell construction by putting the waterproof layer outermost, so there is no face fabric to wet out and no DWR to reproof.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Columbia

Omni-Tech

Columbia's mainstream waterproof platform, aimed at accessible pricing across large product volumes.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Helly Hansen

HELLY TECH

A tiered platform with a marine heritage, spanning inexpensive coated rainwear up to professional offshore and ski constructions.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Fjällräven

Eco-Shell

Fjällräven's waterproof platform built on recycled polyester and fluorocarbon-free treatment, positioned around long service life and repair.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Jack Wolfskin

TEXAPORE

Jack Wolfskin's in-house waterproof family, covering everyday rainwear through to more technical builds.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Mountain Equipment

DRILITE

Mountain Equipment's own waterproof platform, used where it wants a specific weight or price target outside licensed laminates.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

eVent fabrics (Lydall)

eVent

One of the original air-permeable membranes, valued for venting moisture quickly during hard effort rather than for the softest hand-feel.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Polartec

Polartec NeoShell

A stretchy, air-permeable membrane positioned between hardshell and softshell behaviour, favoured for comfort during sustained effort.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Sympatex Technologies

Sympatex

A non-porous membrane that moves moisture by molecular diffusion rather than through pores, with a strong recyclability position.

2L · 2.5L · 3L

Toray Industries

Dermizax

Toray's non-porous membrane family, widely used in premium ski and mountain garments where stretch and quiet fabrics matter.

2L · 2.5L · 3L