For 2018, Gore continues the evolution of Gore-Tex Active, this time upping the comfort and durability factor while reducing the weight by 20 percent. Through the use of new face fabric, membrane, and backer combinations, the new Active delivers the waterproof and windproof performance of a hard shell with the next-to-skin comfort of a soft shell.
If you recall, the current Gore-Tex Active product combines a lighter, thinner Gore-Tex membrane (than say Gore-Tex Pro) with a fine ≤40 denier face and liner fabric to create a 3-layer laminate. On the liner side, a proprietary lamination technology integrates the backer textile directly into the membrane. There is also Gore-Tex Active with ShakeDry technology which ditches the face fabric all together, putting the membrane on the outside similar to Columbia’s OutDry Extreme.
For 2018, Gore-Tex Active will offer a completely new combination of face fabrics, membrane construction, and backers that will improve the overall performance of the technology. The result is a collection of 3-layer laminates that weigh between 65 and 130 g/m², with the 65-gram laminate being the lightest waterproof-breathable construction ever offered by Gore. The resulting garments could weigh potentially less than 200 grams with very small packed volume.
Also dropping this fall is Gore’s new Invisible Fit technology for running shoes. By directly bonding the Gore-Tex membrane to a variety of uppers, all potential wrinkles, folds, and other pressure points are eliminated. This creates a more true-to-size and comfortable fit while reducing the weight of the shoe, eliminating water build-up between the upper and the membrane, and ensuring faster drying times.
At Outdoor Retailer next week, I’ll get a look at the brands planning to use the new Gore-Tex Active and Invisible Fit in their upcoming product lines.