You Don’t Need Gore-Tex Anymore.

Is Gore-tex worth it? Do you need to find the TRUTH about Gore-tex? Well me too! Today we are looking at rain jackets -- is Gore-tex in the best rain jackets or is something like waxed cotton better?

Today we are looking at the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L that does NOT contain Gore-tex but does have Patagonia's H2ONO guarantee. How does that stack up to Gore-tex's waterproof guarantee? Are they truly leak free? Should you get them in Vans Sk8-hi's or Jordan 1's with Gore-tex? Sure! It's a lovely material!!

So anyways, why is Gore-tex used in brands like L.L. Bean, Patagonia, North Face, Arcteryx, and every other brand other the sun? Find out today!

Should I make a video on how to wash a rain jacket with Gore-tex?

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The Iron Snail is a men’s fashion vlog starring a young man named Michael and featuring a snail no bigger than a quarter. The two are set on taking over the world of fashion by creating a clothing line to end all clothing lines. Until then, we’re here to tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about the best clothing out there, from the highest quality raw denim jeans to the warmest jacket to the sturdiest boots…the Iron Snail has got you covered. (written by Taylor, though Michael is sometimes known to talk about himself in the third person… xoxo)

[TheIronSnail]

Dear everyone,

Believe it or not I never looked under my soap dish until I shot this video at that low angle, I’m embarrassed and disgusted and will never be making videos again until my soap is clean. If anyone has any tips on how to clean it please let me know!

[krisjonesuk]

Gore-Tex is out of patent. The waterproofing membranes used by many manufacturers are essentially the same fabric as Gore-Tex. For example, I have a Jack Wolfskin jacket that has a Texapore layer, which is basically their version of Gore-Tex. However, as Gore-Tex wants to continue selling its products and present themselves as better than the alternatives, they have introduced a certification process. Before a jacket can carry the Gore-Tex label it has to be inspected and tested by them. They ensure that the construction and seam taping does not compromise the performance of the Gore-Tex layer. So far as I can see, it is only this certification process that distinguishes Gore-Tex from other manufacturers’ alternatives.

[Dreyno]

As someone from the west of Ireland, the best waterproof jacket is a PVC fisherman’s “oilskin”. They’re called oilskins but they’re not actually an oilskin like a waxed jacket. The sort of rubbery looking stuff they wear on trawlers. They’re absolutely not breathable but if you’re not being very active and the temperature is low, they will keep you dry all day in the heaviest of rain. Brands like Guy Cotten, Helly Hansen, Grundens and Ocean.

[treimar]

What no one told me when I first bought waterproof garment was that It's like a subscription service. I thought it would just do what gore says it does "Waterproof and breathes" forever... but no, you need to keep buying DWR and constantly treating the fabric.

[CarlMurawski]

Thank you so much for the shoutout man!
Also, bugs are the friggin’ WORST! I try not to hate anything or anyone, but I hate them.

[dBsdecibels]

A few other considerations worth mentioning:
1) breathability of a fabric follows a similar number scale of XXXX (grams/meters^2)*24 hours. Sounds confusing, just remember that a bigger number = more breathable goodness. Breathability is another metric where GoreTex excels.

4) Taped seams and waterproof zippers are also essential. Taped seams are a method of folding all seams over each other, stitching them together, and taping the inside with a waterproof and permanent tape. This prevents water encroaching from the stitching holes. If you've ever wondered how water is still dripping on you while you hold an umbrella, this is why. For some reason no umbrella manufacturers tape their seams. Generally speaking, at the GoreTex price point, all garments will have both taped seams and waterproof zippers.

3) Consider how packable and lightweight a jacket is. Not as important if you're only going to wear it on rainy days in NYC, but if you're actually going to hike, snowboard, climb a mountain, then the lighter and more packable the better. The starting price for GoreTex isn't too expensive, where things get pricy is when the garment is ultra light and packable.

4) There are 2 types of GoreTex fabric: 2 layer and 3 layer. They're pretty self explanatory. 2 layers tend to be lighter weight and more breathable, but less durable and more prone to failure and less waterproof. They're also the least expensive. 3 layer is less breathable and heavier, but more durable and waterproof. 3 layer can be as light weight as 2 layer, but that's where things get expensive.

5) Look for generous ventilation (usually under arm pits and around the chest). Sometimes pockets will be venting as well with mesh liners. This is surprisingly important. I wouldn't even buy a waterproof jacket without a means of venting. As good as GoreTex is for ventilation, it's still not as effective as bare skin. Sweating in the wilderness can be very dangerous, so ventilation is important. If you don't like that clammy feel inside a waterproof jacket, open the vents and you'll feel immediately better.

[alpinebreed]

i have never reay seen anyone talk about sympatex and its is in the 45k waterptoof range with 45k beathability and yet everyone looses their moind over gortex

[davemck]

I'm a hiker and swear by Adidas TEREX hi top's (goretex). I've also got a Patagonia coat that i swear by too, so putting all the swearing aside, I flucking love them. Great video Micheal, cheers.

[Dan-Chrssy]

Michael, clean the soap holder in your shower for god’s sake! Holy moldy!

[OGSarah]

Very interesting video. I appreciate all the research that went into this. With that said, your review on the Barbour Bedale inspired me to break up with my Gortex rain coat. Now, I ponder the problems of mankind with a cuppa tea while wearing the pinnacle of English Luxury.

[AlexanderNiazi]

There is an electronic wristband device that repels mosquitoes with a small pulse that only affects them, it allows me to travel to exotic counties and not get bitten even in shorts, this life changing device is called a Nopixgo, you're welcome.

[borabora]

As the jacket gets wet on the outside the breathability is reduced as the droplets clog up the area that vapor requires to exit. to the extent the water quickly runs off the jacket the vapor could potentialy be eliminated but all of this is very case scenario dependent. Breathability and waterproof works against eachother to occur at the same time. I have used goretex in both deserts and rainforest and have experienced the wet outside not coming inside but being extraodinarily wet on the inside.

[perarduaadastra]

UMBRELLA ☔️ Most Breathable & Waterproof. ✨✅

[STILLROLLINGFILMS]

Great video and very well explained! I worked with a few of these brands, mostly TNF, for a number of years and your explanation could be used for training. Now, there's just one bit you're missing which is alternatives to ePTFE that are as performing as Gore-Tex and (and here's the best part) DON'T need any DWR which is the wonderful world of external membranes which are laminated directly on the surface, eliminating the need for a chemical bath such as DWR. The best example that I recommend you to test is Columbia's OutDry Extreme, their numbers are more or less as impressive as Gore-Tex and for their summer shells are far more breathable. It was an Italian company to make this membrane and it was bought out almost instantly by Columbia. Now they're making new products under the name of HDry. I also want to specify that we all like numbers but there's no standardized tests so each brand will do whatever to sound a bit better than they are.
Aside from these details for nerds your video is perfect!

[danoesq]

"Gore-tex" or similar since it's a brand name is great for backpacking because of the weight. Oillskin is great for warmth (depending on the brand) and waxed cotton is decent. It depends on weight snd how long your in the rain.

[PhilAndersonOutside]

Good video. I agree with all you said.

PS. Regarding the mosquitoes...spray your clothing with Permethrin, perfectly safe for even GoreTex garments. If you don't want to put DEET on your skin (really bad for all nylon, including GoreTex), try Picaridin.

[blueband]

English luxury these days, means being able to fill your car with fuel, and heat your home.

[adamboomcircus]

Hi Michael, new viewer here. Yr videos have definitely earned my sub too. Crazy nerd insights. Hilarious comedy randomness. You’re going far!

I wonder when you’ll be doing reviews / compare and contrasts of Páramo gear and technologies from baselayers with their Parameter G and T’s, to the full 360 apsira alpinist smocks and everything in between.

Your knowledge would bring great insight to garments from a company who’s ethics are spot on.

All the best. Mozzis are the worst!

[RaveyDavey]

The idea that the holes are too small to pass liquid water but large enough for sweat vapour doesn't make any sense when you think about it. Water molecules are all the same size and by the time rain gets past the DWR and the outer layer to the interface with the PTFE it's not drops of water, it's water in wet fabric. And by the time sweat gets through the underside PU layer to the PTFE it's not vapour either. As far as I can tell what really happens is that rain water making it as far as the PTFE layer cannot get further because of the bond energies involved. PTFE has very low surface energy so water molecules would rather stick to each other than react with the PTFE and soak in. But sweat vapour is adsorbed into a PU layer under the PTFE, diffuses to the PTFE layer and can then be evaporated through this porous layer as long as the molecules are high enough energy - as they are if heated by your warm body. However this can happen in both directions, but a warm body in the inside, vs colder, dryer air on the outside results in a net movement of vapour outwards. But in very humid conditions or when the outside has wetted out, very little evaporation can happen. Unfortunately the tests are done in how humidity conditions but of course rainy weather is very high humidity. The role of the DWR is to massively reduce the amount of water making it to the PTFE layer and thus deceasing the humidity at the interface between the PTFE and the outer layer.

[perarduaadastra]

UMBRELLA ☔️ the most breathable & waterproof. ✨✅