GORE-TEX outerwear product testing

    TESTING OUTERWEAR

    TESTING GORE-TEX OUTERWEAR

    Our jackets and other outerwear products undergo intense testing. If at any stage a product doesn’t match up to our high quality standards, it’s sent back to the drawing board.

    THE MARTINDALE TEST

    The test that fabric has nightmares about. To replicate conditions and uses for which the product is intended, wool or sandpaper is rubbed against the fabric over and over again with considerable pressure. Depending on how tough the fabric needs to be, this vigorous rubbing continues, non-stop, for hours. Or even days.

    THE COLD FLEX TEST

    GORE-TEX fabrics are squashed and stretched repeatedly in extreme temperatures for hours on end. The fabric has to survive this punishing test—and emerge fit for its intended purpose.

    THE RAIN ROOM

    Our very own weather machine. This sophisticated testing facility is designed to simulate a wide variety of rain conditions. Using specially engineered rain nozzles strategically positioned in the chamber, we test a garment's waterproof design in conditions that range from light drizzle to wind-driven rain.

    The Storm Cube

    We built our own weather machine to simulate all kinds of windy conditions—even high force gales. The Storm Cube generates 50 mph winds with the push of a button to test products against the full force of nature.

    The Instron Test

    These rigorous stretch tests ensure our garments are strong enough to stand up to any wear and tear. We even rip fabrics to make sure they can’t rip further.

    THE COMFORT TEST

    Comfort is the state in which we’re neither too warm nor too cold, when there’s a balance between the heat we produce and the heat we lose. We compare laboratory measurements with personal feelings of comfort from our testers. This ensures best possible comfort for a wide range of activities and conditions.

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