Technology · 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.
Manufacturer specification
Published figures only — nothing estimated
- Owner
- W. L. Gore & Associates
- Membrane type
- Microporous expanded membrane, bonded into a laminate
- Construction options
- 2L, 2.5L, 3L
- Waterproof rating
- Not publicly specified by manufacturer
- Breathability rating
- Not publicly specified by manufacturer
- Air permeability
- Not publicly specified by manufacturer
- Typical price segment
- Mid to premium
- Weight characteristics
- Varies by face fabric and construction rather than by membrane alone.
- Durability characteristics
- Laminates are specified per garment; the same membrane appears behind face fabrics from roughly 20D to 80D and above.
- DWR requirements
- Face fabrics carry a durable water repellent finish. Repellency wears off with use and needs reproofing; the membrane itself is unaffected.
- PFAS / PFC information
- Check the current season's material declaration. Many brands have moved to PFAS-free repellent finishes, and platforms differ by year and by garment.
WaterproofJacket.com assessment
Our editorial analysis, not a manufacturer claim
Main advantages
- Garment-level certification, including seam sealing and a wet-weather guarantee
- Very broad availability across brands, prices and cuts
- Long, well-documented service history
Main disadvantages
- Gore does not publish a single hydrostatic-head or MVTR figure for the platform, which makes numeric comparison against rated fabrics difficult
- No meaningful air permeability, so venting depends on pit zips and hood design
- Licensing cost is reflected in retail price
Best uses
- Sustained rain
- Multi-day mountain use
- Long-life shells
Poor uses
- Highest-output aerobic effort without generous venting
- Lowest-budget purchases
Care instructions
- Wash with a technical cleaner, not standard detergent or fabric softener.
- Reproof the face fabric when water stops beading.
- Tumble dry warm or press with a cool iron under a cloth if the care label allows, to reactivate the finish.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no millimetre rating for GORE-TEX?
Gore certifies the finished garment against its own wet-weather requirement instead of publishing a single hydrostatic-head figure per membrane. A number cannot be quoted honestly here, so we say it is not publicly specified.
Does GORE-TEX stop breathing when the outside gets wet?
The membrane keeps working, but a saturated face fabric slows moisture transfer and feels clammy. That is why reproofing the outer finish matters as much as the membrane.
Sources
Official documentation and standards we relied on