Quote:
Originally Posted by v1nce
are the 3 layer gore-tex clothings better than those that say 5/10/20k mm?
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Any 3 layer is better than a laminated nylon waterproofing.
3 layer waterproofing is fused in with the fabric making it far more breathable and far more water proof.
Laminated waterproofing is what you see on 2/5/8/9/10/15 k waterproofing outerware.
What they do is take a semi-plastic waterproofing material and then bond it with adhesive onto the nylon. Then after it's sewn they then spray a [DWR] durable water repellency [probably from 3m] that allows the water to bead off like a freshly waxed car. The laminate looks white under the nylon and it's good, but NOT as effective
Thing is, that DWR will wear after getting dirty, or constant usage, thus relying on the membrane material to contain the moisture from the outside.
3 layer waterproofing is literally FUSED to the fabric making it far more effective than the laminated stuff out there.
Dupont, Gore, and a few others make 3 layer waterproofing material, where the companies out there by the membrane and apply it to their products.
The big big difference between laminated and fused 3 layer, is the 3 layer usually don't have a liner built into the outerware, allowing it to be reliant on the membrane waterproofing fabric and allowing it to be a lot lighter. But they make a lot of noise when you move
hope any of this helps.