Though WL Gore & Associates don’t actually make jackets or coats, their most famous invention, Gore-Tex is synonymous with quality outdoor apparel suitable for the most extreme environments.
Gore-Tex fabrics are made up of a thin porous flouropolymer membrane with a urethane coating bonded to nylon or polyester fabric. The membrane has around nine billion pores per square inch – those pores are about 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water and thus, the membrane is waterproof but still breathable as it will allow water vapour through while keeping moisture out. Generally, the outer fabric will also be treated with a water repellent and the seams of the garment are then sealed to prevent leaks being caused by pinholes remaining from the sewing of the fabric.
The first commercial product to use Gore-Tex was actually a tent that went on sale in 1976. Since then, the technological marvel of Gore-Tex fabrics has proven commercially viable and the fabric can be found on a wide variety of garments, from shoes and gloves to ski pants and, of course, jackets.
There is a solid range of Gore-Tex branded jackets for a variety of work and heavy-duty uses – these are available in a selection of weights, colours, fabrics and finishes to suit most workwear requirements.
Notable manufacturers of coats and jackets featuring Gore-Tex fabrics include most of the popular names in the sportswear industry, such as Berghaus, Columbia, Lowe Alpine, Nike and The North Face.
Jackets made with Gore-Tex can be purchased from most high street and online shops that stock sportswear and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts. Excellent bargains on Gore-Tex coats and jackets are usually available near the end of any given activity season – so for example, if you are hoping to find a good deal on your next ski jacket, shop near the end of the ski season.
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