How to Choose a GORE-TEX Jacket | Buying Guide
We use GORE-TEX product technology in a range of our waterproof and windproof jackets.
In this guide we’ll help you decide which GORE-TEX jacket is right for you.
Start with why you need a GORE-TEX jacket.
Your choice of GORE-TEX jacket will depend on what kind of conditions you expect to encounter, which activities you’re using it for, and what kind of terrain you will be negotiating. This will affect the levels of protection, breathability, features, and fit that you need.
You’re someone who keeps the pace up no matter the conditions, or someone who just wants a super stashable waterproof that can be stowed easily in a backpack for emergency use in spring and summer conditions.
Look out for:
Lightweight 2.5-layer construction.
Highly packable GORE-TEX PACLITE® and GORE-TEX PACLITE® PLUS.
Minimal, lightweight features and a lightweight hood.
Slim fit to reduce bulk and weight.
You need an all-round GORE-TEX shell suitable for all-season hiking and a variety of outdoor activities. A jacket that’s lightweight enough to stash but offers protection in the wettest weather, whether you’re on or off the trail.
Look out for:
Protective 3-layer construction.
Adjustable features and protective hood.
A regular fit to accommodate layers.
If you’re taking on a storm high in the mountains, you need a jacket that is equally tough, that will stand up to variable weather and move with you.
Look out for:
Durable yet breathable 3-layer GORE-TEX.
Dual weight construction for added abrasion protection.
Rugged technologies such as GORE-TEX Performance and GORE-TEX PRO Products.
Helmet- and harness-ready features, such as a two-way front zip and helmet-compatible hood.
An active fit with refined sleeves and excellent mobility.
You need to be able to deflect high winds, snow, and spindrift.
Look out for:
GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER® product technology with down insulation.
Helmet- and harness-ready features, such as a two-way front zip and helmet-compatible hood.
An active fit with refined sleeves and excellent mobility.
Which activities will you be using your GORE-TEX jacket for?
You need a versatile and protective GORE-TEX jacket that can pack down easily into your backpack, yet also provide you with a high level of mobility and functionality.
Key features in our hiking GORE-TEX jackets:
Two-way adjustable hoods with stiff peaks will keep the weather off your face and move easily with your head.
If you like to move quickly, pit zips allow you to keep the air flowing.
Heavier weight fabric across the shoulders will stand up to abrasion from backpack straps.
You need a GORE-TEX jacket that can protect you in some of the worst mountain conditions on the most rugged terrain. A shell for mountaineering needs to be durable and highly protective with space for layering underneath.
Key features in our mountaineering GORE-TEX jackets:
Reinforcements in high-wear areas for scraping up against rock and ice.
Helmet-compatible TriPoint hoods for maximum protection and unrestricted vision.
Two-way front zips that work seamlessly with a harness.
Pockets positioned for access while you’re wearing a harness and pack.
Extra-long underarm vents to control airflow.
You need a GORE-TEX jacket that expertly balances weight and durability. A jacket that gives you complete mobility and keeps you moving fast and light.
Key features in our GORE-TEX jackets for alpinism:
Lower denier fabrics for reduced weight.
Fine-tuned sleeve design for swinging ice tools overhead.
Helmet-compatible TriPoint hoods for maximum protection and unrestricted vision.
Pockets positioned for access while you’re wearing a harness and pack.
You need a GORE-TEX jacket that strikes a balance between robust protection and breathability. A jacket that will keep you comfortable on the uphill or that’s compact enough to be stashed easily in a pack.
Key features in our skiing GORE-TEX jackets:
Reinforcements around the shoulders and sleeves will stand up to abrasion from a fully laden pack.
Fully adjustable ski-helmet-compatible hood.
Snow gaiters on the cuffs and a powder skirt around the hem to seal out the snow.
Ample storage with both secure pockets for valuables and stash pockets for gloves and skins.
GORE-TEX waterproof jackets insulated with down could also work well for you.
Sustainability. It’s complicated.
We’ve been incorporating more and more recycled fabrics into our GORE-TEX jackets. We’re also phasing out the use of fluorocarbons (PFAS), transitioning to PFAS-free DWRs and GORE-TEX products with an innovative ePE membrane that’s free of fluorocarbons.
You can find the percentage of recycled material and PFAS content in all our GORE-TEX jackets in the Material Facts table for each product. Explore our collection of Fluorocarbon-Free GORE-TEX Jackets.
As the outdoor industry phases out PFAS, so too will our habits need to change. Fluorocarbon-free DWRs require more maintenance in order to perform at their best. Learn How To Wash Your GORE-TEX Jacket.