The end of Gore-Tex? Sweeping bans have affected the iconic brand due to its use of ‘forever chemicals’ Sweeping bans have affected the iconic brand due to its use of ‘forever chemicals’… Sometimes it’s the only option.
The wildlife photographer lying face down in the snow for hours, waiting for that perfect moment. The search-and-rescue team tromping through the forest looking for a missing person in thigh-deep snowdrifts. Or even just the weekend warrior looking to spend a few hours on the slope. All of them need a reliable way to stay warm and dry.
Some coats can do that, but can they breathe, too? Do they give your perspiration an exit hatch? Because if not, you’ve got a moisture problem on both sides of the material.
That was the brilliance of Gore-Tex from the start. Sure, their rain jackets could block out the cold. But the real marvel was how they allowed sweat vapours to easily escape through its porous structure. This eliminated the clammy skin that results from activities like ice climbing or snowboarding, allowing people to not only be warm but also comfortable. Sometimes that meant the difference between life and death.
But at what cost? (Pique Magazine)