With Gore-Tex membrane there are equipped most of anoracks, trekking and nowadays also boots, not mentioning sleeping bags, tents, gloves and other equipment, where there is necessary to obtain maximal function and comfortability. As far as these special products are concerned, you receive important advice what to choose in any of special shops. Believe us, the choice is not easy from non-expert point of view. So, let´s explain the basic terms connected with this technological miracle.

What is exactly Gore-Tex like?

Gore-Tex is a material composed of narrow pore membrane, (in other words -from teflon). Its technical expression is: expanded polytetrafluorethylen. This membrane is laminated among other textile materials - it is mostly nylon or polyester.

A part of membrane contains more than 1,4 billions of microscopic pores on 1 square centimeter. These pores are approximately 20 000 times smaller as a drop of water, but 700 times bigger as water steam molecule. This has a consequence  that a water in its liquid consistence cannot penetrate through Gore-Tex® membrane, whereas water steam goes through easily. By means of this, it is prented from so called mow-burning under textile layer. At a moment of climate change and movement tempo could lead to getting cool, backpains or excessive perspiration. Therefore, we recommend you to add  the upper layer of other funcional materials (Moira). These materials will be able to lead away sweat and steams out of traveller´s body.

An inevitable part of GORE-TEX production line forms profound test phase. This stage proves its quality and, first of all, universal resistance and permeability of product. These severe conditions are fulfilled (kept) by TOP manufacturers of outdoor equipment only. So, we meet seldom a product, which does not comply - except water and wind impermeability (WindStopper) - other hard requirements of any branches of outdoor sports. Anyway, it is important to know that even a resistance against wind-inclement forms part of standard part of equipment containing Gore-Tex membrane.

What could be our offer chosen from? The oldest membrane type was GORE-TEX FABRIC - which was available in two basic executions: two-layers´ and three-layers´. So, two-layers´ execution  became an essential point of  revolutionary technology at that time. This membrane in its basic version is laminated from its internal part. Its lining remains free. So, lamination is being effected by membrane inserted between high resistant and, tight materials at the same time, both these make a reasonable protective whole. Anyway, in case of outdoor assortment, there were used products of lower and middle proce level.

GORE-TEX XCR (eXtended Comfort Range) - became a successor of first mentioned type. This noticed  25% higher water-resistance and 25% higher tightness against preceeding  one. This technology was used for both sorts of applicated membrans - two layers´and three-layers´. XCR technology  reflects on price of goods. This is to be found on middle and higher class-level, as far as financial level is concerned. So, it is advantageous to follow summer-sales. You have the chance to get textile of highest quality for a price of basic Gore-Tex. The inclination of weight - abasement brought also higher requirements for used materials.

At that time, new GORE-TEX PACLITE FABRIC - material aimed at lowest possible weight, was introduced, with maintaining of best possible manipulation during packing and transportation. However, this requirement brought some complications (difficulties), which caused trouble to features obtained in past (earlier). So, the upper layer and membrane made lamination together and lining was completely removed - from reasons of safe-materiality and  moving-increase. This type is light, but we recommend you to combinate it with warmer inside textile-layer, in application at hard climatic conditions and low temperatures.  Its use is possible - especially during shor walkings or less and middle hard trekkings - where its importance has also luggage weight.

The lightest type became GORE-TEX SOFT SHELL FABRIC - with its perfect wind-resistance (Windstopper) and steamtight which were preserved, however to the detriment of  waterproof layer, where its purpose there was  relatively small at this model. Anyway, new technologies enabled that membrane forms-together with its termo-isolated layer - is very functional combination, not requiring further termo-layers of dressing. All this could make useless trouble to travellers and mountain-climbers in easier and middle hard atmospheric conditions, where you need free movement (motion).

Top level presents GORE-TEX PRO SHELL model. Anoraks, trousers, gloves as well as boots with this type have most resistant and most tight membrans. They encourage for using it in difficult and extreme conditions. No wonder that they serve mostly to outdoor professionals and sport-enthusiasts. We believe that this orientative survey helps you in orientation in this problematic, and you are able to surprise with your knowledge the professionals in shops. Anyway, such materials require at least season impregnation, re-newing its trustworthy function . So, each manufacturer recommends certain type of impregnation-mixture solution (emulsion), which forms standard part of assortment of all sellers´ of trekking and sport-equipment, and it is not too expensive. These materials are combined, of course, with technologies of each manufacturer. They strengthen wide scale  of textile-use. So, it depends on you, for which purpose you wish to buy your product. The dress of highest quality - i.e. Gore-Tex anoraks with original membrans - you can buy just for CZK 4000,-  there is a surcharge for best quality and special pieces, you can meet with highly specialised dress at a price of CZK 20.000,- .

Anyway, a reward for high price it will be for you a comform and guarantee that your body remains dry and health at least! 

Text: Jan Chaloupka