Gore Shows Softer Side With Three New Technologies

By Kristin Carpenter

Elkton, Md.—As outdoor enthusiasts explore their softer sides—choosing soft-shell garments over traditional waterproof shells—W.L. Gore hopes to keep pace with three new Gore-Tex technologies.

For technical apparel, Gore will offer Windstopper Soft Shells and Airvantage, an adjustable insulation.

For outdoor footwear, Gore introduces XCR (Extended Comfort Range), designed for year-round climate control and waterproofing.

The new technologies will be on display at the winter trade shows, including Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and SnowSports Industries America.

With the Windstopper Soft Shells, Gore is tapping into the rising popularity of stretch-woven outerwear, designed to be worn in all conditions except wet snow or torrential rains. These garments are taking a bite out of the waterproof-breathable shell market.

Marmot, Mountain Hardwear and GoLite are incorporating soft shells in their new lines.

Gore touts its two new soft-shell fabrics, Eiger and Trango, as the only soft shells that are completely windproof while still being breathable and highly water-resistant, said Jon Pysczynski, a Windstopper product specialist.

Windstopper traditionally has been paired with fleece, he said, but the company wanted to "get out of the fleece box." The new soft shells combine the Windstopper membrane and a DWR treatment to keep the piece water- and wind-resistant.

"We've combined stretch and windproof technologies with stretchy, abrasion-resistant textiles that also shed snow. It was the natural next step for us," Pysczynski said.

The Windstopper Soft Shells come on the heels of Gore-Tex N2S (Next To Skin), a base-layer and mid-layer product used by Mountain Hardwear and other manufacturers.

"We understand that there is a new, younger consumer out there," Pysczynski said. "They are more athletic. The outdoors are more about fitness to them and they are spending shorter durations of time out there, so they want a simpler layering system."

The new Gore-Tex Pac-Lite 3, the latest incarnation of the light and fast waterproof-breathable shell, also targets younger consumers and will be included in several manufacturers' new lines.

The Airvantage adjustable insulation is the first technology that allows a user to adjust the thermal climate without adding or removing layers, Bruce Troutman, a Gore business leader, said.

He said Airvantage uses "dead air" that can be inflated or deflated. Inflating the Airvantage system increases dead air space to slow heat loss. If the user is too hot, he or she can deflate the system—increasing heat loss—and cool down.

Bogner, Mammut, Rossignol, Tsunami, Burton, Oakley and Marmot are among apparel manufacturers that will incorporate Airvantage in lines they will show at the SIA show.

Finally, Gore is hitting the ground running with its XCR footwear technology, which allows moisture to pass through a membrane when the user's foot becomes hot enough to sweat. This technology works with a breathable Gore-Tex upper to control the the temperature and humidity within the shoe.

Dockers, Rockport, Merrell, Montrail, Nike, Salomon and Vasque are among the manufacturers that plan to incorporate XCR in their new lines.