The most breathable Gore-Tex fabric ever!
Outdoor headlines
06 October 2010 17:17
Active Shell is the latest version of Gore-Tex. This new waterproof and breathable material offers the highest level of breathability found in any Gore-Tex fabric to date and it will be appear in stores during Autumn 2011.
W.L. Gore pulled together Europe’s leading outdoor journalists and retailers to the launch of Active Shell at their headquarters near Munich in Germany. The attendees were given a preview of the new fabric as well as some of the jacket designs that are being developed.
Most importantly of all, the new Gore-Tex Active Shell has a Resistance to Evaporative Transfer (RET) of less than 3, while Gore-Tex Paclite has an RET value of less than 4 and Gore-Tex Pro Shell of less than 6 depending on the face fabrics used. So in terms of pure mathematical breathability, Active Shell is as good as it gets from Gore-Tex.
The new fabric has been designed for the fast and light user with final garments having a maximum weight limit of just 330grams. To ensure that the fabric is able to perform at its ultimate level of breathability, manufacturers are being asked to design jackets in Gore-Tex Active Shell with only the minimum amount of features. For example brands will only be able to 12metres of seam tape on the jackets and the amount of covered Active Shell fabric must be no more than the size of an A4 piece of paper. So Active Shell jackets will be minimalist in design, which should make them ideal for trail running, mountain biking and fast mountain ascents. But perhaps pretty poor if you like hand warmer pockets and somewhere to stash your ipod!
Active Shell is lighter than previous 3 layer Gore-Tex fabrics due to its construction, although 2 layer Gore-Tex Paclite will still be a lighter fabric by a factor of around 10% according to W.L. Gore.
The outer layer of Active Shell and the expanded PTFE layer is thinner than Gore-Tex Proshell. While on inside the tricot backer is embedded into the PTFE layer rather than merely being sandwiched together as in other 3 layer fabrics. The result is a thinner 3 layer fabric that is much softer and more flexible in the hand, but also it provides less resistance to water vapour transmission because it is so much thinner. The result is a softer fabric that is also more breathable.
The new fabric is currently being used by outdoors brands including Mammut, Haglofs, Arcteryx, Berghaus, Mountain Equipment and Millet. The first jacket designs look as though they will challenge lightweight favourites such as the Haglofs Ozo for example, which weighs in at 212g and is made of Gore-Tex Paclite. While a Paclite jacket such as the Ozo should still be lighter as it is a 2 layer fabric and more packable than an Active Shell equivilent, the Active Shell versions will have much better condensation control.
Trail’s Technical Editor Graham Thompson has been testing an early prototype of Gore-Tex Active Shell and said: “Compared to Gore Paclite the new Active Shell controls condensation far, far better. While wearing the jacket and hacking up a hill with sweat dripping from my forehead the inside of my Active Shell jacket was pretty dry and a massive improvement over Paclite in terms of condensation”.
Prices are expected to be well over £200 for Gore-Tex Active Shell jackets and so Gore-Tex Paclite may also be a lower priced option if price is more important than breathability.
According to the manufacturers Gore-Active Shell will be positioned for use when traveling fast and light where maximum breathability is the primary requirement. Gore-Tex Paclite is a lighter, more packable and a more durable material and so this will be better when weight and durability are the main priorities. Gore-Tex Proshell is the most durable option making it ideal for mountaineering and winter climbing. Gore-Tex Performance shell will be marketed as the general trekking and hiking product.