Gore has (yet again?!) developed a new brand “architecture”. What the company means by this is that they have retitled and restructured the various fabrics and products into more easily understood collections.
So, there will be:
- “Durably waterproof and breathable” GORE-TEX products
- “Total windproof and maximum breathable” GORE WINDSTOPPER
- New GORE THERMIUM products.
I was fairly sure Gore did a similar thing when they brought out their new Active Shell fabric a few years ago. (A wee look on my blog reveals this Guide to Gore-Tex products.)
In fact, Gore plans to keep these three collections as well:
- GORE-TEX Products
- GORE-TEX Pro products
- GORE-TEX Active
This means there will be six Gore collections. It’s a good idea to have products in recognisable collections and so I am not accusing Gore of any wrongdoing. I am simply saying that Gore have done another restructuring of product collections!
Many consumers still do not realise the differences of Gore fabrics and that while Gore produces the fabrics, brand such as Berghaus, Arc’Teryx and Salewa etc, take these fabrics and make their outdoors clothes from them.
The big new thing for Gore this time is Thermium, as well as a new version of Gore Windstopper.
New Gore Windstopper
The well-known WINDSTOPPER products will become GORE WINDSTOPPER products. Gore is also presenting “two completely new product technologies with windproof membranes, which offer additional functionalities according to their end use and provide added-value in weather protection”.
GORE WINDSTOPPER products with light rain resistance: With additional, durable protection from light rain, these new laminates widen the area of function of traditional softshells.
GORE WINDSTOPPER products with insulation protection: To protect from wind and cold. This product technology enables the production of lightly insulated, windproof clothing for aerobic exercise at low temperatures.
New Gore Thermium
With insulation, durable windproof fabric and light rain resistance, Gore Thermium garments are based on a new laminate technology. This means the garment insulation is protected (whether down, synthetic fibre or wool) from light rain and snow showers, while allowing moisture vapour to escape to maintain the insulation performance.
Brands such as Arc’teryx, Black Diamond, Montura, Mountain Equipment, Odlo, Salewa, Sportful, Tierra and many more for 2016 will use Gore Thermium.
I have a Gore Thermium sample jacket to test but just now the weather is too warm and dry. I will be reporting back.