A great opportunity to learn about the reborn GORE-TEX and the future of outdoor wear. Talk event "Patagonia × GORE-TEX: The Future of Technical Shell"
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
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The number of products using the "New GORE-TEX," which has finally been reborn as PFC-free, is expanding this season
For those of us who love the outdoors, the terms "PFAS" and "PFC" are so common that not a day goes by without hearing about them. Until now, they have been indispensable in the outdoor world, where high functionality is required, as they are one of the chemicals that make up the water-repellent finishes of various outdoor gear and the waterproof and breathable membranes used in rainwear
However, while they have these excellent properties, these organic fluorine compounds, also known as "eternal chemicals," have recently come under renewed scrutiny due to their harmful properties, such as their resistance to decomposition in nature and in the body, and their tendency to accumulate once produced. In recent years, many outdoor, sports, and apparel brands have been rapidly developing PFC alternative technologies and products that do not require the use of these hazardous substances
However, because the water-repellent performance of PFC itself was extremely good, it wasn't so easy to switch to an alternative technology with the same level of functionality. While outdoor enthusiasts certainly welcome its superior functionality, that doesn't mean we should continue using something that has known negative effects on the human body and the environment. After a long period of "patience" with this dilemma, GORE-TEX, one of the leading brands of waterproof and breathable outdoor materials, finally developed an "expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane" last season that does not contain organic fluorine compounds. Some manufacturers have begun selling waterproof and breathable jackets that use so-called "PFC-free GORE-TEX."
This season, the range of products using GORE-TEX will be expanded even further, including high-end models for activities that require even higher performance (Gore Japan is reportedly on track to transition the majority of its consumer product range by the end of 2025). Outdoor Gearzine has been eagerly awaiting this new GORE-TEX hard shell, and we will be reviewing it in the tough fields of backcountry skiing and snowy mountain climbing this season, so please look forward to it
Photo by Hiroya Nakata
This is a great opportunity to learn about the core of the new GORE-TEX technology and how we should approach outdoor wear in the future
This has been a long introduction, but a rare opportunity to learn more about this new GORE-TEX product and, through this new outdoor wear, to understand how we should approach outdoor wear in the future,
is the special talk event "The Future of Patagonia x GORE-TEX Technical Shells," to be held at Patagonia Kanda in Tokyo on Friday, November 17th.
We spoke with Naoyuki Kato, Patagonia's snowboard ambassador and international mountain guide, and Hideaki Onuki, GORE-TEX Fabrics Sales Representative at Gore Japan LLC, about the future of outdoor wear and how we can continue to enjoy outdoor sports in nature to the fullest through the new products developed jointly by Patagonia and Gore-Tex for the Fall/Winter 2023 season. Waterproof and breathable clothing is the most important category of outdoor wear. Of course, Outdoor Gearzine couldn't resist covering this material to learn the full story of this material, which is sure to become a historic milestone
Click the button below to go to the event details page. If you're interested, be sure to check it out
Check the event details (on the Patagonia official website event page)
Photo by Hiroya Nakata
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