What is GORE-TEX & How GTX Gear Can Improve Your Rainy-Day Runs

Sure it's raining, but does that really mean you need waterproof running gear? The short answer is: It depends. If you plan to run in wet weather for a substantial length of time or if the temperatures are quite chilly, you will want waterproof gear to protect you from the elements.

The tricky part is that staying dry requires not just waterproofness but also breathability. Without breathability, running will cause you to overheat, sweat, and then get wet and clammy.

This is where GORE-TEX steps in. Not only has GORE-TEX (also written GTX) become synonymous with waterproof running, it has also taken over the casual fashion world as the trusted leader in water protection.

This article will take a deeper dive into what makes GORE-TEX technology work, why nearly all running rain gear now includes GORE-TEX, as well as how GORE-TEX technology repels water while still being able to provide the airflow needed for a comfortable run.

GORE-TEX is a type of innovative waterproof fabric that is breathable and durable. The brand began in 1959, but it wasn't until a decade later that the fabled GORE-TEX fabric membrane was created. The original fabric was made by rapidly stretching polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Doing this created an incredibly tough yet thin microporous material that is waterproof, windproof, lightweight, flexible, and breathable. This expanded material (ePTFE) was then bonded with the original polyurethane, which was sewn underneath the uppermost layer of the garment to create the GORE-TEX membrane.

Every square inch of GORE-TEX membrane has nine billion pores, and each of these holes is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, meaning absolutely no rain or snow will penetrate the first layer. When it comes to breathability, these same pores are 700 times bigger than a sweat molecule. This means that when you turn up the intensity, sweat is able to escape, providing you with the airflow needed to stay dry.

Keeping your feet and body dry and comfortable is essential to achieving the best run possible. This unique type of breathability prevents water entering from the outside while limiting sweat build-up on the inside of the fabric, which helps stop blisters and chafing. With this level of comfort, you can devote your full attention to your run rather than your gear.

Now, moving to become more sustainable and reduce its carbon footprint, GORE-TEX has a new membrane made from ePe (expanded polyethylene), nonfluorinated materials. The GORE‑TEX ePE membrane is PFC-free, light, and thin while remaining strong. The all-new membrane includes combined textiles that are recycled, solution, or undyed.

GORE-TEX products have achieved a high waterproof rating and can withstand up to 28,000 mm of water pressure. That's even more than a monsoon rainstorm! So regardless of how bad the weather is, you can be confident that you are protected.

Being waterproof is only one third of the power that GORE-TEX products hold. The membrane is also windproof and breathable. It doesn't matter if you're scaling a mountain ridge or stuck in a brutal wind tunnel between skyscrapers, GORE-TEX products have you covered.

Why are we so excited about GORE-TEX? In a word, breathability. Breathability is what sets GORE-TEX apart from other waterproofing technologies, as the company continually works to raise the bar in this area. In addition to offering outstanding protection from the rain and wind while remaining breathable, GORE-TEX running products are also designed to be as light as possible.

GORE-TEX is used in a wide variety of performance clothing, including everything from hiking boots to ski jackets. Outdoor brands such as Patagonia, ARC'TERYX, and The North Face are known for using GORE-TEX to deliver the most lightweight and performance-driven products for their avid fanbases. Not only does GORE-TEX apply to apparel, but it is also popular in the world of sneakers. Legendary running brands such as Nike, adidas, and New Balance are incorporating GORE-TEX technology into their sneakers to create a shoe that can repel water and keep feet dry.

GORE-TEX's thin membrane can be bonded to a wide variety of fabrics to offer the perfect balance of weight, durability, and warmth needed for specific activities and conditions. These products are made waterproof by sandwiching the GORE-TEX membrane together with the main body fabric of the product. Another benefit of laminating lightweight products with GORE-TEX membranes is an increase in durability compared to many generic waterproof membranes.

Thanks to its durability and low weight, the GORE-TEX membrane can be applied to different fabrics in a variety of ways. The three different types of construction include:

Two-layer construction: In this construction, the GORE-TEX membrane is bonded only to the outer textile and not the lining. By not bonding the lining, this allows for a separate lining to be combined with insulation.

Three-layer construction: When using this method, the GORE-TEX membrane is bonded to both the outer textile and the lining. This leads to a more durable fabric, making this ideal for lightweight shell jackets.

Z-liner: This composition is similar to three-layer construction, but the GORE-TEX membrane is bonded to a supremely lightweight fabric that floats freely between the outer and the lining. This is the preferred construction for making winter gear with multiple layers and insulation.

If you want to start with just one piece of waterproof running gear, we recommend beginning with a rain jacket. This will help keep your core dry and warm, which will have the greatest impact on your overall comfort.

Tights and pants that feature GORE-TEX are also available, although this is usually a slightly different version of the technology called GORE-TEX Windstopper. These items are fully windproof and will keep most water off of your legs, but they incorporate added breathability at the cost of full waterproofness.

Many of the top running shoes on the market are also available in a GTX version, providing nearly the same running experience but with added GORE-TEX weatherproofing. The hot new innovation from GORE-TEX is "Invisible Fit" technology, which integrates GORE-TEX directly into a shoe's upper. This differs quite a bit from the traditional GORE-TEX application in running shoes, where the GORE-TEX liner is an additional stretch-bootie layer that wraps the entire upper of a running shoe to keep water out. The best thing about GORE-TEX Invisible Fit is that it offers the same fit and feel as the non-GORE-TEX version of the shoe while providing a dry and comfortable running experience.

As the seasons pass, the name GORE-TEX is becoming more synonymous with top-of-the-line wet weather clothing, both in the casual and active wear fields. GORE-TEX products cover all the bases for weatherproof gear; they keep the elements out without trapping the sweat in, and they're durable enough to stand the test of time. Investing in high-quality GORE-TEX running shoes and apparel will always be a solid purchase, as you will never miss a running day due to the weather again.