The outdoor market can't stop talking about it. But what lies behind the success of the waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex® membrane? Why does it win over hikers the world over? A closer look at a particularly high-performing membrane.
If you're buying a new pair of hiking shoes and you search online or ask for advice from people around you or in a shop, chances are that at some point the term "Gore-Tex® membrane" will come up in your search. A staple in the outdoor world, this waterproof, breathable and windproof membrane — with performance that is hard to match — is found in a wide range of technical accessories, from gloves to jackets, trousers and of course shoes. In this article, we lift the lid on the Gore-Tex® membrane and its unrivalled characteristics.
How Gore-Tex® works
Without going into technical details, here's a practical explanation. In short, every centimetre of Gore-Tex® membrane contains billions of nano-pores, too small to let even a single droplet through. That's why every product featuring a Gore-Tex® membrane is waterproof. If your shoes are among them, you can confidently move through snow or rain with the assurance of keeping your feet dry.
However, staying dry doesn't necessarily mean staying warm. The Gore-Tex® membrane is also windproof. So on one hand, it prevents water from entering your shoes, and on the other, wind can't get in either.
Finally, let's talk about breathability. Back to those billions of pores — too small to let water through, yet large enough to let water vapour molecules escape from the inside out… and when we talk about water vapour, we mean your perspiration. This is how moisture is prevented from building up inside your shoe, even during exertion, as every water molecule that forms is free to escape. It's also thanks to this property that Gore-Tex® can proudly claim to keep feet genuinely dry.
Different technologies for different disciplines
While all Gore-Tex® shoes are waterproof, windproof and breathable, they don't all offer the same additional properties. It's up to you to choose the features that best suit your needs and your activity. Among the technologies applied to footwear, you can choose from four different types:
- Gore-Tex® Comfort & Performance technology — ideal if you plan to head out in unsettled weather with moderate rain — provides optimal thermal comfort and keeps your feet dry even in changeable conditions.
- If you plan to venture into the snow or walk in cold conditions, opt for footwear built with Gore-Tex® Comfort & Insulation technology, which retains warmth at the heart of the shoe while wicking away perspiration and moisture. In snow or rain, it remains durably waterproof and breathable, with an insulating inner lining that effectively protects against the cold.
- In warm weather, on the other hand, we recommend the Gore-Tex® Comfort & Versatility technology. Exceptionally breathable and uninsulated, it evacuates heat very efficiently and is ideal for intense activities in warm conditions. And of course, it's waterproof too.
- Finally, Gore-Tex® Surround® technology is probably the most innovative of all. It delivers 360° breathability for outstanding climate control without compromising waterproofness. Gore-Tex® Surround® shoes maintain a constantly ideal foot microclimate, adapting to changing temperatures by allowing the foot to breathe in every direction — moisture escapes in all directions, even through the sole, keeping your feet continuously dry in any situation.
