Starting in Fall 2018, Gore will sell two product brands under the Gore-Tex umbrella — the standard Gore-Tex brand we all know and love and the new Gore-Tex Infinium brand. Infinium appears to be more about function and comfort than hardcore waterproof performance, to be used in products such as fashionable winter boots and touchscreen-compatible gloves, for example.
This move reflects not only Gore’s quest for growth into new markets but also an understanding that not everyone who plays outside is a hardcore athlete. “While many consumers pursue individual outdoor athletic pursuits, such as backpacking, skiing or other specialized activities, there has been an increase in people wanting to spend more time outside comfortably and protected in more general ways as a part of their daily lives. Gore-Tex Infinium products aim to address the needs of all those areas,” Gore stated in a recent press release.
Gore-Tex Infinium will span four product technologies next fall: Gore-Tex Infinium Thermium footwear, Gore-Tex Infinium Soft-Lined Shells, Gore-Tex Infinium Stretch Gloves, and Gore-Tex Infinium Insulated Garments.
In cooperation with ECCO and Frau, Infinium Thermium shoes use a thin layer of insulation that Gore claims is seven times warmer than other insulations of the same thickness and won’t cause your feet to overheat when you head indoors.
Together with The North Face, the Infinium Stretch Gloves are all about touchscreen compatibility and dexterity in a warm, windproof package. The stretchy gloves will be made up of four different softshell and fleece laminates built around the Gore-Tex membrane.
Infinium Soft-Lined Shells pair Gore-Tex’s membrane-on-the-outside technology with a variety of soft backer fabrics on the inside. The jackets will be highly water-resistant, windproof, and highly breathable. Infinium Insulated Garments pair Gore-Tex’s membrane-on-the-outside with either down or synthetic insulation.
According to Gore, you can expect to see a variety of Gore-Tex Infinium jackets from Mammut, Norrona, Montura, Acronym, Herno, Burton, Arc’teryx, Black Yak, K2, Kolon Sport, Montbell, Sitka and Gore Wear, among others.
I expect to get a good look at some of the new Gore-Tex Infinium pieces at Outdoor Retailer this week.