Goretex is a synthetic material and a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates. It is made of Teflon. It has numerous microscopic pores which allow water vapor to escape yet prevents large drops of water to enter the material. This allows water vapor from condensation and perspiration to escape keeping you dry. The material is a triple layered, laminated compound which is impenetrable to water and rain. It is also completely wind proof.

Goretex is commonly used in sportswear.

The Gortex Patent

Gore-tex is patented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor and Robert W. Gore. It was patented in 1976 for a “porous form of plytetrafluoroethylene” (Teflon) and with a micro-structure characterized by nodes interconnected fibrils. It has also been patented as a “waterproof laminate”.

The Design of Goretex

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Goretex clothing is designed in a triple layered system which laminates a special membrane layer to other high
preforming textiles. It is then sealed with a special process.

The membrane is what creates the waterproof layer on the goretex clothes. The incredible part of this process is that for every square inch of fabric there are over nine billion (9,000,000,000!) small microscopic holes. These microscopic holes are so small that they are actually 20,000 times smaller than a single drop of water, thus creating a waterproof seal.

These holes are also much larger than a water vapor molecule (about 700 times larger) which allows your perspiration to escape.

Wearing goretex clothing is a surefire way of keeping yourself dry, water is not getting through a hole that small.

Integrated into the membrane of Gore-Tex is also a oleophobic substance which prevents body oils and products such as bug repellants from entering the pores, which could clog it.

Goretex also comes with a Keep you Dry guarantee:

“If you are not completely satisfied with the waterproofness, windproofness, or breathability of a Gore-Tex product then we will repair it, replace it, or refund your purchase price.”

If you are an active person than you want yourself some Goretex!

Gore-tex is a material made out of synthetic cloth that is mostly plastic. It is also composed of Teflon and is considered a waterproof laminate.

The really interesting thing about Goretex is that it is actually composed of billions of microscopic holes in the material. There are actually 9,000,000,000 (billion) of them PER SQUARE INCH! These holes are many times smaller than a water molecule, keeping you dry from the elements. They are also many times LARGER than water vapor which allows perspiration from physical activities to escape. This is especially important since the lack of breath-ability would actually get you just as we as without a waterproof jacket from the condensation on the inside of the material!

The purpose of a goretex glove is to create a completely water and windproof seal. It is covered in many microscopic holes that allow water vapor to escape while keeping large water molecules out.

This special product is especially helpful for people who want a waterproof glove. The types of activities where gore-tex is commonly used are in hunting, snowboarding, camping, backpacking, for motorcyclists, in leather gloves, for skiing, winter gloves, fishing, work and many other outdoor activities.

Goretex snowboarding gloves are usually made by renowned companies such as Burton.

If you want a glove that will keep your hands dry while allowing perspiration to escape, you want the gloves to be made out of the famous gortex.

There are many places where you can purchase goretex products; be it gloves, goretex trousers, pants, jackets or other goretex clothing. Check out your local outdoor store to find goretex wear.

What is Goretex?

Goretex is a man made synthetic material manufactured to allow your skin to breath while keeping water out. This allows sweat and perspiration from extraneous activities to escape the material while keeping large water molecules out. This material is commonly used in rain and hiking boots but is also used in many other outdoor clothes. This is especially useful while in cold and wet situations where physical exertion is causing you to perspire.

Why should you use Gor-tex Gloves?

Gloves are easy to get wet. Unless you are using Goretex.

Wearing a pair of Goretex gloves will protect you from the elements of nature, keeping your hands dry and consequently your body warm. When out in the elements you will need to keep your appendages away from the cold where the heat of your body easily escapes.

If you wear a pair of these gloves your hands will stay dry, that’s all there is too it.

The most advanced version of Gore-Tex consists of technically five layers: the center layer of the actual patented “Gore-Tex” which is surrounded by two protecting layers, an outer layer which provides abrasion resisting qualities, and finally the soft, inner layer which allows extra body heat to escape. The actual layer of Gore-Tex is a form of Teflon surrounded by two layers on each side to provide the ultimate protection as well as circulation for air.

The innermost layer contains nine billion microscopic pores that are twenty thousand times smaller than the average water molecule. Surrounding the innermost layer are the laminate protection layers, which allow the material to be breathable. Gore-Tex provides use for not only clothing fabric, but also insulation of wires and cables, medical implants, gaskets, sealants, and even the coating of instrument strings.

Before Gore-Tex was included as a waterproof material, the competitor fabrics usually consisted of only two layers. The two layers consist of either nylon or polyester, and polyurethane, which is the waterproof material, yet it does not allow for breathability. When it was first used as fabric, there were not so many layers to the material, so the Gore-Tex was damaged by the wearer’s own sweat. The newest five-layer version allows for ultimate protection.

Gore-Tex trousers are not only necessary to protect from rain, but are also very comfortable for any sort of outdoor activity because they are also lightweight. Not only does a pair of Gore-Tex pants pack easily, they also allow the wearer to move effortlessly because the fabric is extremely lightweight. These pants also allow the wearer to be stress free in regards to the seams, which are completely sealed for ultimate protection. Although the holes in the seams are tiny, Gore-Tex manufacturers seal the seams with “Gore-Seam Tape,” a special tape that ensures nothing will penetrate through the seam holes. There is also the option of insulated Gore-Tex pants, which provides the same air circulation that allows the fabric to breathe, but also the warmth, and security that insulated outerwear gives. Gore-Tex pants are mandatory for any winter sports.

Both men, women, and children can wear Gore-Tex trousers. Not only is it a quality fabric for comfort and reliability, but it is versatile in appearance. There are many different colors, patterns, and styles to choose from when purchasing Gore-Tex pants. Whether you are shopping for yourself or your family, you can easily find entire outfits of Gore-Tex for every person. Gore-Tex has allowed itself to become accessible to each individual.

Even the 2010 Winter Olympics Snowboarding team wears Gore-Tex pants and jackets when snowboarding down to the finish line. They chose this fabric because of its durability, obvious water resistance, and weightlessness that allows them to zoom effortlessly down the white, powdered mountains. Also, they were very partial to the idea that they could all be wearing the same uniform but chose styles unique to their personalities.

So whether you are a competitive athlete who needs the best lightweight clothing product or your average camper who appreciates a pair of dry trousers in unpredictable weather, Gore-Tex pants are clearly the most beneficial option.

Goretex is a waterproof laminate. It is a layered material which usually uses nylon and is sealed by Teflon. This Teflon exterior is then coated in a Durable Water Repellent which repels water to allow the outer layer to breath.

This breathable layer is where the true power of Gore Tex material is shown. How this material works is that is actually has billions of tiny microscopic holes per square inch of material. These holes are smaller than a water molecule which keeps water from entering the material. They are also larger than water vapor which allows vapor from condensation and perspiration through extraneous activities to escape the material.

This breath-ability is extremely important when you want to stay protected from the elements. Without it you would still get wet from the inside even though water is kept out from the waterproof material. This is why when you use a plastic type of waterproof material for your clothing you still get wet on the inside, because it is not breathable.

Gore tex pants are actually made for outdoor sports from camping and backpacking to snow sports such as in snowboard or gore tex ski pants.

You should purchase a pair of goretex pants if you want to keep yourself dry and comfortable and windproof when you are against the elements of nature. Goretex will keep you dry in the most extreme of circumstances; during rain, sleet hale or snow. Goretex should be used as your outer layer when outdoors and you can even use goretex in shoes, boots, gloves, pants, jackets and more!

Another great bonus when you buy a goretex material such as pants is that it comes with a 100% guarantee. This promise is from Gore-tex itself and guarantees waterproof, windproof and breathable products. If you are unsatisfied you can get your goretex clothing repaired, replaced or even refunded!

What do you have to lose? Goretex pants are the best waterproof pants you can buy. They will keep you comfortable and dry when it matters most. Pick up a pair today at your local outdoor store or check REI for great sales (I picked up a pair last week at an REI sale for only $50! They average about $150-$200 normally.)