Är gore tex varmt
GORE-TEX och andra Gore material är ett miljövänligt val eftersom de är tillverkade på ett ansvarsfullt sätt och deras varaktiga funktion gör att kläderna håller längre, vilket minskar utnyttjandet av naturens resurser och minskar avfallet. I was speaking to a representative for a leading hiking boot manufacturer I won't name names and he confirmed what I'd already suspected. Yes, in the outdoor business, Gore-Tex is as ubiquitous a term as Vibram soles and Polartec fleece linings.
But, what is Gore-Tex and how does it work? In this feature, our hiking gear experts delve into the world of Gore-Tex membranes, looking at its history, what's so special about it, how waterproof it actually is and whether or not it's harmful for us and the planet in the long run. Gore-Tex is a breathable, waterproof fabric membrane made from polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE , which is better known by its trademark name Teflon.
It stops water from passing through, while allowing moisture vapor to escape from within, thus providing breathability. The Gore-Tex membrane usually sits between other fabric layers and is used widely in waterproof clothing and footwear for outdoor use. The outer layer of Gore-Tex gear is coated with a Durable Water Repellent DWR treatment which prevents the fabric from wetting out , as this would negate the breathability of the garment.
Julia is one of our expert gear testers and she has reviewed many products featuring Gore-Tex in her time. She has the ideal testing ground too — the, often wet, mountains of the Scottish Highlands are right on her doorstep. He's happiest in the high places, whether he's climbing, hiking or trail running, though he has a particular soft spot for winter mountaineering and enjoys pitting himself, and his kit, against interesting lines in gnarly conditions.
Gore-Tex was invented in by an American businessman and chemical engineer named Wilbert Gore, along with his son Bob Gore. The pair already had a business using PTFE in electronic ribbon cables for computers and the story goes that Bob discovered extended PTFE by accident when he stretched out the material rapidly instead of slowly. This caused the material to fill up with air which lends it its breathable quality. All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture!
Vad är gore tex?
By the mids, Gore-Tex was starting to show up in rainwear, where it replaced the typical non-breathable inner polyurethane layer with a thin, breathable membrane that is bonded to the outer fabric. Dozens of top outdoor brands use Gore-Tex to manufacture their designs.
Gore-Tex repels liquid such as rain, but still allows for liquid vapor to pass through. The DWR treatment applied to the outer fabrics wears off with time, washing and use, which reduces its effectiveness. While the garment will still be waterproof, thanks to the internal membrane, the fabric will soak in the rain, which is known as wetting out. This negatively impacts its breathability, which isn't ideal if you're working up a sweat.
The good news is that you can use a waterproof spray from brands like Nikwax or Grangers to reapply DWR. So, whether you need to waterproof a jacket , waterproof your hiking boots or waterproof a tent , you can get your gear back in ship shape. Gore-Tex is waterproof, but not all waterproof clothing is constructed using Gore-Tex fabrics. However, Gore-Tex is not the only option when it comes to breathable, waterproof fabrics — check out six Gore-Tex alternatives that provide the same or similar function.
As consumers of the outdoor industry become increasingly concerned about our impact on the planet, Gore-Tex has attracted a great deal of attention for its use of a group of chemicals called perfluorochemicals which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , are a concern because they do not break down and therefore build up in our landfills, water sources and even in our bodies.
Though there is not yet conclusive evidence that these chemicals are harmful to human health, Gore-Tex has committed to phasing these chemicals out of their production to become more environmentally friendly. It's reset the target to and is currently on track to achieve it. Many Gore-Tex jackets are also Bluesign approved, meeting a common standard for sustainable textile production. As always, the best way to reduce your impact on the environment while using Gore-Tex is to take good care of your gear and repair it instead of replacing it.
Julia Clarke is a staff writer for Advnture. She loves to explore mountains on foot, bike, skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat. Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in to focus on family and writing.
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What is Gore-Tex? Our expert guide to the breathable waterproof fabric
What is the difference between waterproof and Gore-Tex? Is Gore-Tex harmful? Julia Clarke. Alex Foxfield. Advnture Newsletter All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors. Social Links Navigation.