It's the word on everyone's lips in the outdoor market. But what's behind the success of the waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex® membrane? Why does it win over hikers all over the world? A closer look at a particularly high-performing membrane.
If you need to buy a new pair of hiking shoes and you search online or ask for advice from people around you or in a shop, it is almost certain that at some point the term "Gore-Tex® membrane" will come up in your search. A staple of the outdoor world, this waterproof, breathable and windproof membrane — with performance that is hard to match — can be found in a wide range of technical accessories, from gloves to jackets, trousers, and of course footwear. In this article, we lift the lid on the Gore-Tex® membrane and its unrivalled characteristics.
How Gore-Tex® works
We won't go into the technical details, but we'll stick to more practical explanations. In short, every centimetre of Gore-Tex® membrane contains billions of nano-pores, too small to let even the tiniest droplet through. That is why every product incorporating a Gore-Tex® membrane is waterproof. If your footwear is among them, you can confidently move through snow or rain with the guarantee of keeping your feet dry.
However, dry does not necessarily mean warm. Well, the Gore-Tex® membrane is also windproof. So on one hand it prevents water from entering your footwear, and on the other, wind cannot infiltrate either.
Finally, let's talk about breathability. Back to our billions of pores — too small to let water through, but 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 inside your shoe is prevented from building up, even during exertion, since every water molecule that forms is free to be evacuated. It is also thanks to this characteristic that Gore-Tex® can proudly guarantee truly dry feet.
Different technologies for different activities
While all Gore-Tex® shoes are waterproof, windproof and breathable, not all offer the same complementary properties. Choose the characteristics that best suit your needs and activity. Among the technologies developed for footwear, you can opt for four different types:
- Gore-Tex® Comfort & Performance technology is ideal if you plan to head out in unsettled weather with moderate rainfall — it delivers optimal thermal comfort and guarantees dry feet even in changeable conditions.
- If you are planning to venture into snow or walk in the cold, opt for shoes built with Gore-Tex® Comfort & Insulation technology, which retains warmth at the heart of the shoe while evacuating perspiration and therefore moisture. In snow or rain, it remains durably waterproof and breathable, and features 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 — extremely breathable and uninsulated, it evacuates heat very effectively and is ideal for intense activities in warm conditions. And of course, it is waterproof too.
- Finally, Gore-Tex® Surround® technology is probably the most innovative of all. It delivers 360° breathability for excellent climate control without compromising on waterproofing. Gore-Tex® Surround® footwear guarantees a constantly ideal foot microclimate that adapts and evolves with the temperature, allowing the foot to breathe in every direction — moisture escapes in all directions, even through the sole, keeping feet constantly dry in any circumstance.
