GORE-TEX Paclite® technology
If rain and wind make an appearance during your hike, don’t worry! Just pull your GORE-TEX Paclite® jacket out of your backpack and throw it on for immediate, long-lasting protection.
What is GORE-TEX Paclite®?
GORE-TEX Paclite® uses a GORE-TEX membrane that features more than 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square centimeter which are 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water and therefore prevent rain from entering. These micropores are also 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapor which means that moisture from perspiration can escape. Gore-Tex membranes make it possible to design clothing that is durably waterproof and breathable. GORE-TEX Paclite® technology combines a GORE-TEX membrane with a water-repellent outer fabric without the need for an inner lining. The result is permanent protection against rain and wind that’s also lightweight, compact, and breathable.
How does GORE-TEX Paclite® work?
GORE-TEX Paclite® construction features a minimalist, 2.5-layer design that’s lightweight and compact.
The Gore-Tex membrane is reinforced with an external layer of protection against outside elements like rocks, branches and even the sun’s rays. This outer layer is coated with a water-repellent treatment that’s PFC FREE, and here at Salomon we are increasingly making it from recycled polyester. In garments using a 2.5-layer construction, the back of the Gore-Tex membrane is treated to prevent the oil from your skin, as well as sun creams, from damaging the membrane.Using GORE-TEX Paclite® in garments results in durable, waterproof and breathable clothing that’s also lightweight and compact. This means you’ll never hesitate to take your hiking jacket with you, even if you hope it stays in your backpack!
Check out our advice on how to choose a hiking jacket.
What are the advantages of GORE-TEX Paclite® in Salomon products?
Salomon is teaming up with GORE-TEX so that we can use GORE-TEX Paclite® technology to make our garments more compact and lightweight while ensuring long-lasting protection from the rain. Clothing using GORE-TEX Paclite® technology is also totally windproof. And while these garments are waterproof, they’re also extremely breathable so they’re great at wicking moisture from perspiration when you’re active.GORE-TEX Paclite® provides an excellent ratio of weight/packability/protection, which makes this technology particularly well-suited to clothing made for hiking and running. Compared to other GORE-TEX waterproof clothing technologies, GORE-TEX Paclite® is lighter than GORE-TEX Pro which is often found in highly protective clothing made for alpine skiing and mountaineering. GORE-TEX Shakedry™ makes it possible to design even lighter clothing, however these garments also require more care.
GORE-TEX and Salomon are committed to reducing our environmental impact by designing durable clothing that you can wear for a long time. Because GORE-TEX’s expertise guarantees long-lasting waterproof/breathable protection, using these technologies is perfectly in line with this approach. We also provide you with loads of information on how to care for your GORE-TEX clothing and make it last. Another of our priorities, and a big challenge for the future, is to increase the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of Salomon’s GORE-TEX products.