Frequently Asked Questions

What's the life expectancy of a GORE-TEX® garment?

It really depends on you. The GORE-TEX® membrane won't deteriorate with time, and our garments are guaranteed to be durably waterproof and breathable. Just use common sense and wear your garment for its intended use; i.e, don't wear a lightweight cycling jacket on a backcountry camping trip. And obviously, a ski instructor who wears his or her garment every day will need to buy a new one sooner than a skier who takes his or her garment out twice a year will. If you maintain your garment properly, you can expect it to last.

Will a GORE-TEX® garment keep me warm?

Yes. GORE-TEX® fabric is windproof, so it blocks cold air and wind that can disturb your body heat and cause windchill. However, GORE-TEX® fabric itself doesn't have any special insulating qualities, so in really cold conditions, wearing extra layers underneath your outerwear will ensure that you stay warm and comfortable.

Do all GORE-TEX® fabrics offer the same quality?

ALL our GORE-TEX® fabrics are waterproof, windproof, and breathable. However, there are many different outer fabrics and fabric constructions available so that you can choose what's most important to you: weight, texture, abrasion resistance, and so on.

Why do GORE-TEX® garments need seam tape?

The holes made by needles in seams may be small, but they can cause leaks. That’s why even the most waterproof, breathable, windproof fabric won’t keep you dry and comfortable if the seams are not completely sealed.

For absolute weatherproofness, GORE-TEX® garments rely on the Micro GORE-SEAM® tape technology. Seam tape is used to completely seal every tiny hole created by sewing machine needles when GORE-TEX® fabric is made into garments.

No other fabric manufacturer goes to such lengths to ensure total weather protection. In addition to manufacturing our own GORE-SEAM® Tape, only Gore consistently tests finished garments to ensure they pass our meticulous quality and performance standards.

What does the GORE-TEX® Guaranteed To Keep You Dry® promise mean?

Just that: No liquid from the outside will get to you on the inside. Water from a driving rain you're caught in, a damp bench that you happen to sit on, or wet grass that you kneel in can't penetrate GORE-TEX® fabric. To be totally waterproof, a fabric must be able to withstand water entry in all active conditions.

How durable is GORE-TEX® fabric?

GORE-TEX® fabric will last for many years. It's incredibly durable, and unlike other "waterproof/breathable" fabrics that can lose waterproofness after repeated laundering, flexing, abrasion, or exposure to body oils or insect spray, the waterproofness and breathability of GORE-TEX® fabric is guaranteed under any conditions you may encounter.

How does the GORE-TEX® membrane work?

The GORE-TEX® membrane has 9 billion pores per square inch, with each pore 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet. These tiny holes are too small for water and wind to pass through from the outside, which is how we can guarantee you'll stay dry and warm in a garment made with GORE-TEX® fabric. But these same pores are large enough for moisture vapor to pass through, so your body's perspiration is able to escape and you don't get clammy and uncomfortable. That's what 'waterproof/breathable' is all about.

Do leather boots even need a GORE-TEX® liner?

Yes. No leather is inherently waterproof, and most "waterproof" footwear requires applications of special waxes or greases to stay that way. Not only is this inconvenient, but it severely compromises the breathability of the footwear. And it's not guaranteed to keep you dry. With GORE-TEX® footwear, the waterproofness and breathability are never in doubt.

Is GORE-TEX® footwear breathable?

Yes, absolutely — and that's an important detail. Your feet stay drier from the inside out, because your perspiration is evaporating out of the footwear, not staying inside to make your feet feel clammy and uncomfortable. Especially in colder weather, breathability is crucial for keeping your feet dry and warm.

How can I be sure I'm buying genuine GORE-TEX® footwear?

Just look for our label on the footwear. All GORE-TEX® footwear carries our name as well as the manufacturer's brand. We even include a GORE-TEX® footwear booklet in the box. Remember: if it doesn't say GORE-TEX® footwear, it isn't.

Will altering, embroidering, or repairing my GORE-TEX® product cause it to leak?

Any form of alteration to your GORE-TEX® product, including major repairs, post-purchase logo embroidery, or fit alteration, should be conducted at a Gore-authorized facility. Otherwise, you could compromise the waterproofness of your garment, usually via small needle holes that have not been sealed. Before proceeding with any changes to your product, get in touch with an authorized Repair Facility or contact us for advice.

I've damaged my GORE-TEX® garment - what do I do?

Minor punctures and tears can be fixed with a GORE-TEX® Fabric Repair Kit, available at specialty outdoor retail stores. The special adhesive patches allow you to make instant repairs to preserve the waterproof integrity of your outerwear. You can also visit or ship your GORE-TEX® garment to an authorized Gore Repair Center. See our Care Center for more information about both these options.

Will salt water damage my GORE-TEX® garment?

No. Salt water does not contaminate, clog the pores of, decrease the breathability of, alter, or harm GORE-TEX® fabric in any way. So go ahead and enjoy that ocean fishing or boating trip.

How can I restore my garment's water repellency?

You can totally restore a GORE™ product's durable water repellency (DWR) by using a topical DWR treatment product for outdoor fabrics, available at outdoor retail stores. (Note: We do not recommend wash-in treatments.) These special treatments help maintain and restore the DWR on the outer shell fabric of the product so that it remains water and stain repellent. Anyone can properly maintain the DWR on a GORE™ product.

When water no longer beads on your garment's outer fabric, simply apply a topical DWR treatment product according to its directions.

Why do I need to use a water-repellent treatment on my GORE-TEX® product?

Gore shell fabrics, the outermost fabric layer of a GORE-TEX® garment, are treated with an ultra-thin polymer coating known as DWR, or durable water repellent. This coating causes water to bead up and roll off the outer layer of fabric, instead of being absorbed.

Water-repellent outer fabric provides additional insulation and prevents liquid from saturating your garment's outer fabric, a condition known as "wet out" that can make you feel damp and clammy. Your garment may even feel like it's leaking, although it's not.

Regular wear and tear, plus exposure to dirt, detergents, and other impurities, causes DWR failure. The effective life of the DWR depends upon how you care for your garment and how rigorously it is used. The most effective way to maintain your Gore garment's water and stain repellency is to wash it, rinse it, and put it in your dryer. Keep it clean!

Can GORE-TEX® fabric be dry-cleaned?

Dry-cleaning does not harm the GORE-TEX® membrane. However, follow the manufacturer's care instructions on your particular garment to make sure they recommend dry cleaning for it. If you do go the professional dry-cleaning route, request clear, distilled solvent rinse and spray repellent.

How do I clean GORE-TEX® footwear with fabric uppers?

Clean with lukewarm water and allow to dry naturally. Then treat with water-repellent spray when dry. Never use waterproofing wax or grease — this may impair your footwear's breathability.

How do I clean suede leather GORE-TEX® footwear?

Just brush off the loose dirt after it's dry and treat your footwear with commercial water-repellent spray. Never use waterproofing wax or grease — they may impair your footwear's breathability.

How often can I wash my GORE-TEX® garment?

Wash your garment as often as you need to. In fact, washing and tumble-drying will actually help restore the water-repellency performance of a GORE-TEX® garment. See our Care Center for more information.

What's the best way to clean my GORE-TEX® garment?

There's no mystery here. Just toss your GORE-TEX® garment in the washing machine in warm (104° F/40° C) water. Use powder or liquid detergent, but skip the fabric softener and chlorine bleach, please. Then tumble-dry on a normal warm setting and you're ready to go. That's it. Be sure to read the manufacturer's care tag in your garment for specific instructions. See our Care Center for more information.