Like a parent calling every game “Nintendo,” fabric brand GORE-TEX seems rooted in the brain.
Waterproof? GORE-TEX.
Winterproof? GORE-TEX.
In techwear, especially, that one name (and its famous “Guarantee to Keep You Dry”) might as well be the atmosphere. And yet, a whole world exists to explore past GORE.
There’s more to fabric tech than its most famous name. If you’re looking for a cold weather jacket to help you survive this winter, here are 5 GORE-TEX alternatives to know.
For a deeper dive into the outdoors, check out our comprehensive recap of the best outerwear brands in the world.
The North Face FUTURELIGHT
One of the newest GORE-TEX alternatives comes straight from the brand that made it famous.
The North Face recently unveiled FUTURELIGHT, a fabric that it claims is its most advanced waterproof breathable tech ever. The core of FUTURELIGHT is how it’s made, a process the brand calls “nanospinning.” Thousands of tiny nozzles spin a polyurethane solution into a randomized matrix, creating nano-sized holes that let air in while water stays out.
While air-permeable membranes have been done before, the nanospinning process allows TNF designers to fine-tune the result for exact use case match, adjusting breathability, durability, stretch, and more.
In short, expect FUTURELIGHT on more than just mountaineering gear – lifestyle pieces, activewear, and even some parts of the TNF line that GORE-TEX didn’t touch before.
No one wins big break-ups, but for The North Face, the future is looking light.
Shop The North Face FUTURELIGHT
Pertex Shield
It’s waterproof. It’s light. It’s Pertex Shield.
Often used in high-activity wear, Pertex Shield is a breathable waterproof membrane fabric designed for, in the brand’s own words, “intense mountain pursuits where weight and breathability are key.”
If the crinkle and swish of traditional membranes are bugs (not features), Shield is perhaps the best alternative.
The ultralight waterproofing can be found on…
Read the full article here
