FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.