Mountain Hardwear Men's Exposure/2 GORE-TEX Pro Jacket Review - Mountain Weekly News (2024)

FAQs

What is the RET rating of Gore Tex Pro? ›

In the laboratory, GORE-TEX® Pro “Most Breathable” achieved a RET value of less than 6 and is, therefore, still in the good to very good range.

Durably waterproof, the new GORE‑TEX PRO features combinations of our advanced Stretch, Most Rugged, and Most Breathable technologies, for garments that are prepared for the most extreme conditions.

Weight: 8.4 oz.

While other GORE-TEX laminates, such as GORE-TEX Pro or GORE-TEX Active have a lining on the inside that protects the membrane and adds comfort, products with GORE-TEX PAcl*tE technology do not. The lack of this lining reduces the weight of the final product.

Gore-Tex Pro clothing is more expensive, with more technical features like helmet-compatible hoods and toggles. It is only every a hard outer-shell, and will always require pairing with mid-layers. Gore-Tex original is more affordable, with more useful features and variations, including insulated versions.

GoreTex sends Rapha fabric, Rapha builds a prototype rain jacket and then sends it back to GoreTex to meet their waterproof testing standards. While this adds to the overall cost of the piece, there is obviously a lot of credibility built into the GoreTex brand from decades of research and development.

If your Gore-Tex clothing is properly cared for, it should remain waterproof for 3-5 years. It can easily last for ten years or more if you store it properly and don't wear it that much. Of course, with regular active use, friction and heat can cause the DWR to break down more quickly.

Does Gore-Tex Lose Waterproofness? Technically, a Gore-Tex membrane will not break down or become less waterproof over time. However, because Gore-Tex is typically bonded to another, or sandwiched between two layers, it is those fabrics that can lose waterproofness.

Good alternatives to GORE-TEX are also available, such as FUTURELIGHT™ from The North Face, Pertex Shield, and less expensive PU film fabrics like Patagonia's H2No.

There are multiple versions of the GORE-TEX Membrane with a range of applications depending on the intended use of the final garment. From rugged and durable to light and packable, clothing brands will select the right membrane for their garment.

What is 2.5 layer GORE-TEX? ›

2.5 layer laminate construction

The GORE-TEX membrane is equipped with a protective coating to provide additional resistance to sunlight, abrasion, and body oils and then bonded to the outer face fabric. Having this protective coating makes a separate lining unnecessary.

GORE-TEX PAcl*tE® TECHNOLOGY

Ideal when weight and space are critical. - 100% waterproof. - Advanced windproof protection blocks all wind. - Highly breathable.

The drawbacks of Gore-Tex are that it is expensive and can be difficult to care for. It is important to wash Gore-Tex garments carefully, using a special detergent, and to make sure that they are completely dry before storing them away.

Have you heard of GORE-TEXTM Pro? It's the highest quality GORE-TEXTM membrane, offering the best protection against water and wind. It is often used in outdoor clothing and kit, as it provides superior comfort and durability.

The RET rating is often used by GoreTex to represent the breathability of their garments. This rating is the inverse of the MVT in that a lower rating means better breathability. Ratings will often be shown as a less or more than figure, ie. RET <9, which means that the fabric has a RET rating of less than 9.

The membrane is durably bonded to both the rugged outer material and a specially developed robust inner lining. Built with robust outer face textiles, GORE-TEX PRO garments are highly abrasion-and snag-resistant. Only textiles between 30-200 denier are used, and all products must pass our extremely rigorous tests.

If your Gore-Tex clothing is properly cared for, it should remain waterproof for 3-5 years. It can easily last for ten years or more if you store it properly and don't wear it that much. Of course, with regular active use, friction and heat can cause the DWR to break down more quickly.