Typically, rain, snow, sleet, and hail and not viewed as being the most pleasant types of weather. Sure, a white Christmas can be charming and conjure up childhood memories and yes, a summer’s rain can be soothing to fall asleep to, but even still, all of the aforementioned types of wet weather lose their appeal if you are caught outside and off-guard in a storm. Especially if you live in a climate that gets a lot of precipitation like Seattle, Portland, or Boston, you are going to want to make sure that you have some water-resistant outerwear. If you are interested in learning more about water-proof fabrics then you are going to want to read this article as it offers useful information about a specific type of impermeable fabric called GoreTex.
What is GoreTex?
Developed around twenty years ago by Rowena Taylor, Samuel Allen, Wilbert L. Gore, and his son Robert W. Gore, GoreTex is a special kind of fabric that was designed to be both water-proof and breathable. Gore-Tex is constructed from high-performance textiles that are interconnected to a GoreTex membrane that is made from Teflon. The membrane, which is composed of tiny pore-like structures that are small enough to prevent water from leaking through the membrane but large enough to allow moisture vapor to escape, is then sealed with a special solution.
How durable is GoreTex?
GoreTex fabric is 100% water and wind proof, meaning that no matter what the elements are doing outside, if you are wearing GoreTex outerwear, then you will be kept warm and dry. Moreover, every GoreTex product uses Gore-Seam Tape for reinforced seam protection so as to prevent water from leaking through the stitching holes.
How do you take care of GoreTex fabric?
Like any piece of clothing, GoreTex products need to be cleaned regularly because both dirt and human sweat act as barricades to the pores that allow GoreTex to breathe. After repeated washes, however, GoreTex’s level of impermeability can diminish. This occurs because over time the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment on the surface of the fabric is worn away. Although the DWR treatment is not what makes GoreTex fabric water-resistant, it does play an important role in maximizing GoreTex’s level of impermeability. Therefore, to bolster a GoreTex product’s DWR, you should try tumble drying the product or ironing it on a low setting. You can also try re-proofing the product by using a wash-in re-proofer.
If you want to stay warm and dry during the cold and rainy seasons, then choosing outerwear made from GoreTex fabrics is a great idea. Whether you are looking for a product for everyday use or for something for a particular activity, GoreTex has a product to suit your needs. GoreTex manufactures specific products for a variety of activities, including backpacking, cycling, hunting, mountaineering, running, fishing, golfing, and skiing.