What's the difference between Gore-Tex and other shell fabrics?
Gore-Tex is actually not a fabric, it is a membrane that is laminated to a shell fabric such as nylon or polyester. Before the mid-1970s, when Gore-Tex was invented, wearing a water- and windproof shell jacket meant sacrificing breath ability. Both waterproof and breathable, Gore-Tex set a new standard for technical outerwear. Today, many outdoor clothing manufacturers offer functional alternatives to Gore-Tex, all of which provide varying degrees of waterproofing and breath ability. One of these alternatives might work for us just as well or better than Gore-Tex--it's really a matter of assessing our personal needs depending on your activity level, body type.