Gore-Tex Technology

What is Gore-Tex?

Gore-Tex is a fabric technology that is completely waterproof and yet breathable. Clothes produced with this technology are absolutely waterproof, even if they are left under the rain for hours. Despite its waterproof structure, Gore-tex is a thin fabric and thus offers ease of use.

This type of fabric consists of three different layers coming together. The top layer is usually made of nylon or polyester. This forms the outer structure of the outfit. It protects its user from cold and other external factors. Also, this is the first layer that resists water. There is a Gore-tex membrane in the middle layer. This prevents the water that the upper nylon part cannot prevent from passing to the lower layer. This is where the name of the technology comes from. In the innermost part, there is a lining that protects the Gore-tex in the middle. Here, fabrics that prevent sweating and are breathable are used.

Guaranteed for Waterproofing

Durability and keeping warm are the two most important elements in outdoor sports clothing. Clothing and accessories with Gore-tex technology can be used much longer than their ordinary competitors without wearing out, thanks to their three-layer structure. In addition, they are waterproof and lightweight, providing great practicality in harsh conditions.

Gore-tex fabrics can expel sweat or water without the need for any holes. This ensures water evacuation from the body without losing heat, which is vital in nature. This way, you can stay both dry and warm.

Gore-Tex History

The Gore-tex brand was registered by the Gore company, which was founded by Wilbert Gore and his wife Vieve Gore in 1958.

With the addition of Robert Gore, son of Wilbert and Vieve Gore, to the company, the company began to take the form it is known today.

In 1969, Robert Gore invented Gore-tex, which we use today, and he protected Gore-tex with the patents he received in 1976 (Patent No. 3953566) and 1980 (Patent No. 4187390).

Gore-Tex Design

The materials used in making Gore-tex are basically polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) and other fluropolymer-based products expanded by thermo-mechanical methods. Gore-tex's application areas are very wide. These include high-performance fabrics, medical implants, filters, cable insulation and, most commonly, breathable/waterproof linings that we use in outdoor sports.

In its simplest form, a waterproof rain suit consists of two layers. The outer layer is usually made of nylon or polyester. The inner layer is made of polyurethane. This layer provides waterproofing. Even though the garment is waterproof in this way, you will still get wet as the sweat released from the body will get wet inside because the fabric cannot breathe.

In Gore-tex fabrics, instead of polyurethane or PVC, a thin layer of film with breathable pores and fluropolymer (Teflon) coating is combined with the fabric by laminating it. In this way, the fabric is both waterproof and able to expel the sweat vapor accumulated inside. There are 1.4 million pores per square centimeter on the membrane used in Gore-tex. These pores are 1/20000 times smaller than a water drop. In this way, sweat vapor can be expelled from the fabric, while water does not enter.

Extra Care is a Must During the Washing Phase

Since these types of clothes are produced with a special technology, they require you to take different steps during the washing process. Despite this, these products, which are very easy to maintain and wash, have a long service life.

When washing your Gore-tex technology clothing, you should take care to place it in the washing machine with all zippers closed. Washing on a 40-degree program and with a smaller amount of liquid detergent than usual is another detail that increases the life of your clothes. Additionally, you should not use cleaning materials such as softeners, stain removers or bleach during washing.

To ensure the waterproof/breathability properties of Gore-tex and all other outdoor products, we must perform regular maintenance on the products we purchase.

After each activity, we should gently clean our Gore-Tex boots of dirt in warm water, let them dry at room temperature, and then restore the water repellency feature to the outer layers with various quality chemicals.

We should follow the washing instructions for our Gore-tex coats and jackets, wash them at low temperature and low speed, using quality Nikwax-like detergents produced only for this purpose, and dry them at room temperature.