When to Go GoreTex

Chances are you’ve heard the GORE-TEX name sometime in the last 40 years. It’s come to stand for top-level waterproof, breathable performance in everything from footwear and jackets to gloves, pants, and hats.

The story actually started in 1958, when a DuPont employee and his wife (Bill and Vieve Gore) started a company to explore a new material called PTFE. Then, in 1969, a discovery by their son Bob led to the birth of ePTFE — the king of breathable waterproof fabrics. What followed was a wave of improvements that led to better and better products for everyone from astronauts to explorers, and even my kid’s shoes.

Yes, other companies are doing fantastic things with similar products: Pertex, Polartec, Ottertex, BDry, eVent, Eco-Shell, Proflex, Sympatex, and Futurelight. In very simple terms, these are all micro-porous fabrics with varying features that affect breathability, durability, and sustainability. They share the same intention — keep water off you while still letting the vapor your body releases escape, so you stay dry.

When GoreTex is necessary for my jacket, gear, or adventure

So the question is: when do you actually need a GORE-TEX level of protection?

Well, I always keep a jacket in my vehicle because it keeps me dry in the rain. That same jacket comes with me hiking, paddling (not whitewater — that’s a different jacket designed for a specific use), and sailing. By using it and cleaning it about every three to six months depending on use, I get an excellent return on my investment. I’ve used the same jacket for a decade, which makes for a use-per-cost breakdown I really like. Having something you can count on in a wide variety of situations is such a comfort.

Is it a bit of overkill for running into a coffee shop or store in town? Most likely. But it does a great job keeping me dry and happy, and that’s what counts to me.

One of the other benefits of a GORE-TEX jacket is that it’s windproof. On a cold day, that can make a huge difference. Pair the jacket with a fleece or down insulation layer and you’ll find you can stay comfortable in some pretty adverse conditions. One example that comes to mind was early 2021, when the Midwest had one of the coldest winters on record — temperatures dropping into the negative double digits for multiple days. A layering system was mandatory to go outside safely for any length of time, and the jacket that “just kept me dry” became an invaluable part of my wardrobe on those brutal days.

A GoreTex of many faces: new tech keeps improving

Once you go past casual use, you’ll notice a wide variety of products: Pro, Paclite, 2-layer, 3-layer… it really goes on and on. That just means the original product has been improved and specialized for different products — or even for different areas within the same product. It’s all about durability and breathability, and new developments happen every few years.

One of the latest updates came in the cycling world, where you really need something that dries quickly and breathes efficiently. Enter the “Shakedry” feature: you can literally give the jacket a good shake, and because it’s so hydrophobic, the water can’t stick to it. Pretty cool! It’s not something I need daily, but if you’re planning a bikepacking trip or you’re a daily bike commuter, you’d be very excited about it.

So when do you actually need GORE-TEX? Easy: if the weather is going to get wet, cold, windy, or nasty, you’ll be very happy to have it. And when that next adventure comes around, remember — there’s no bad weather, only bad gear.