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.
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.
Construction options not verified
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.
Construction options not verified
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.
Construction options not verified
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.
Construction options not verified
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.
Construction options not verified
Columbia
Omni-Tech
Columbia's mainstream waterproof platform, aimed at accessible pricing across large product volumes. Columbia's own material describes a multilayer construction without stating whether the barrier is a membrane or a coating.
Construction options not verified
Helly Hansen
HELLY TECH
A tiered platform with a marine heritage, spanning inexpensive coated rainwear up to professional offshore and ski constructions.
Construction options not verified
Fjällräven
Eco-Shell
Fjällräven's waterproof platform built on recycled polyester and fluorocarbon-free treatment, positioned around long service life and repair.
Construction options not verified
Jack Wolfskin
TEXAPORE
Jack Wolfskin's in-house waterproof family, covering everyday rainwear through to more technical builds.
2L
Mountain Equipment
DRILITE
Mountain Equipment's own waterproof platform, used where it wants a specific weight or price target outside licensed laminates.
Construction options not verified
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.
Construction options not verified
Polartec
Polartec NeoShell
A stretchy, air-permeable membrane positioned between hardshell and softshell behaviour, favoured for comfort during sustained effort.
Construction options not verified
Sympatex Technologies
Sympatex
A non-porous membrane that moves moisture by molecular diffusion rather than through pores, with a strong recyclability position.
Construction options not verified
Toray Industries
Dermizax
Toray's non-porous membrane family, widely used in premium ski and mountain garments where stretch and quiet fabrics matter.
Construction options not verified
W. L. Gore & Associates
GORE-TEX PACLITE
Gore's lightweight, packable PACLITE family. The documented 2.5-layer construction and abrasion-resistant inner treatment described here apply specifically to PACLITE PLUS.
2.5L