When it comes to clothing for outdoor activities, particularly in extreme climates or sports such as skiing, ski touring or mountaineering, waterproofing and breathability are crucial factors. There are a number of waterproof membranes that are well known on the market, such as Gore-Tex and Dermizax, but there are others that offer similar or even better performance, depending on the sport.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at their features, differences and benefits to help you make an informed decision when buying a ski jacket. At the end of the article, you’ll find a summary table of waterproof membranes in which you’ll find the textile innovations we know about (there may be others) as well as their main characteristics.

Ready to discover the secrets of the world’s most advanced membranes? Join us on this fascinating tour of textile technology!

Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex, developed by W. L. Gore & Associates in the 1970s, marked a turning point in the technical clothing industry by offering an innovative solution combining waterproofness, breathability and durability. Its technology, based on an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane, not only redefined the standards of outdoor clothing, but also opened up new possibilities in outdoor activities such as mountaineering, skiing and hiking.

An essential component of Gore-Tex, ePTFE is an incredibly versatile material that has a microporous structure with billions of pores per square centimetre. Each of these pores is around 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, guaranteeing total impermeability, even in heavy rain or wet snow. At the same time, the pores are 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapour, allowing sweat to escape in the form of vapour, an essential element in keeping the wearer dry and comfortable during intense physical activity.

The innovation of Gore-Tex lies not only in its ability to manage moisture, but also in its multi-layer design. The membrane is laminated between the outer and inner fabrics, forming an effective barrier against water and wind without sacrificing the garment’s lightness or flexibility. In addition, Gore-Tex garments often feature a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that improves surface water resistance, prolonging the membrane’s effectiveness.

Over time, Gore-Tex has evolved to offer a variety of products to suit different needs. These variants include Gore-Tex Pro, designed for extreme and professional conditions, Gore-Tex Active, ideal for high-intensity activities, and Gore-Tex Paclite, focusing on lightness and portability for those who prefer minimal weight in their gear. In addition, the brand has introduced more durable versions that minimise the use of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), responding to the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products.

The Gore-Tex membrane must be laminated with other fabrics and combined with taped seams to guarantee total waterproofness. In addition, it is treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish that repels water from the surface, giving the membrane better performance.

Key benefits of Gore-Tex

  • Waterproof: resists water columns of over 28,000 mm, i.e. torrential rain and wet snow.
  • Breathability: allows perspiration to escape in the form of vapour, preventing the build-up of moisture inside the garment.
  • Durability: Gore-Tex is renowned for its resistance to wear and tear, particularly in adverse conditions such as abrasion or extreme temperatures.
  • Versatility: available in several variants, including Gore-Tex Pro (for extreme conditions), Gore-Tex Active (for high-intensity activities) and Gore-Tex Paclite (for ultra-light garments).

 

Dermizax

Dermizax, developed by the prestigious Japanese company Toray Industries, has carved out a place for itself in the world of technical clothing thanks to its innovative approach combining waterproofing, breathability and elasticity. Unlike other membranes, Dermizax uses a non-porous polyurethane (PU) technology that excels in its ability to adapt dynamically to environmental conditions and the intensity of physical activity.

The key to Dermizax’s performance lies in its non-porous hydrophilic membrane, which does not rely on micropores to regulate moisture. Instead, polyurethane manages water vapour transfer at a molecular level, meaning that the heat and moisture generated by the body during exercise triggers a process that efficiently expels sweat to the outside. This dynamic breathability is one of the distinctive features of Dermizax, as it improves in situations of increased physical exertion, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable even during intense activities such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, telemarking or trekking.

In terms of waterproofing, Dermizax offers exceptional resistance, withstanding water columns of up to 20,000 to 30,000 mm, making it a reliable barrier against heavy rain and wet snow. Its non-porous structure also makes it less susceptible to wear and tear from clogging, as can occur in microporous membranes due to the build-up of body oils or external contaminants. This resistance to degradation extends product life and reduces maintenance requirements.

One of the key benefits of Dermizax is its exceptional elasticity, which surpasses that of many other technical membranes. This is particularly valuable in mountain sports and activities where range of movement is crucial, such as freeride skiing or technical mountaineering. Garments with Dermizax allow unrestricted mobility, improving both performance and comfort.

Toray has also developed specific variants of Dermizax for different applications. Dermizax NX, for example, offers even higher levels of breathability and waterproofing, while Dermizax EV is designed for an optimum balance between durability and performance in a variety of conditions. These adaptations increase its versatility, making it suitable for both recreational and professional users.

In addition to its technical performance, Dermizax stands out for its ease of maintenance. Unlike microporous membranes, there is no need to apply a water-repellent finish (DWR) to maintain its effectiveness, simplifying maintenance and guaranteeing consistent performance over time. It is also more resistant to surface damage, such as tearing or abrasion, making it a reliable choice for demanding environments.

Finally, Dermizax reflects Toray’s commitment to sustainable development. It is manufactured without the use of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which represents a significant advantage in terms of environmental impact, particularly compared with technologies that use these chemicals.

Dermizax regulates humidity and water vapour by molecular exchange, with body heat activating the expansion of the molecules in the membrane, facilitating the expulsion of sweat. As well as being innovative, this technology offers greater resistance to long-term wear and tear.

Key benefits of Dermizax

  • Superior stretch: Dermizax’s non-porous membrane is extremely flexible, making it ideal for garments that require stretch, such as ski jackets.
  • Waterproofing: Resists water columns of up to 20,000 mm or more, enough to protect against heavy rain or snow.
  • Dynamic breathability: Dermizax breathability increases with the intensity of exercise, as body heat stimulates the molecular movement that expels vapour.
  • Easy care: unlike Gore-Tex, Dermizax won’t lose performance if its outer layer is damaged or its micropores are clogged, because its technology is non-porous.

eVent

eVent, a technology developed for high-performance technical clothing, has revolutionised the concept of direct breathability in waterproof membranes and is a first cousin of Gore-Tex. Why do we say that? Because eVent uses expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as the basis for its membrane, but with one key difference: its design allows active breathability without the need for an oleophobic coating, a feature that makes it particularly effective for high-intensity activities.

eVent technology is based on the microporous structure of ePTFE, an ultra-light and durable material that contains billions of pores per square centimetre. These pores are small enough to block the passage of water droplets, ensuring a solid seal (with resistance to water columns of over 20,000 mm), but large enough to allow water vapour to escape quickly.

What sets eVent apart from other membranes is that the pores of ePTFE are completely open from the outset, eliminating the need for an oleophobic coating to filter sweat as vapour. This means that moisture generated by the body during exercise is immediately expelled, preventing heat build-up or the feeling of dampness inside the garment.

Technical benefits of eVent

  • Active breathability Unlike traditional membranes, which depend on moisture build-up to trigger the perspiration process, eVent offers immediate breathability. This makes it ideal for high-intensity sports and activities, such as cycling, trail running or technical mountaineering, where keeping the body dry is essential to performance.
  • Reliable waterproofing With water resistance that exceeds industry standards, eVent guarantees total protection in heavy rain or snow. It’s a reliable solution for activities in extreme environments, from the mountains to the rainforest.
  • Durability and resistance Although microporous membranes are more likely to be clogged by body oils or dirt, eVent has developed treatments and technologies to minimise this risk, extending the life of its products.
  • Lightweight garments with eVent membranes are remarkably lightweight, reducing the load on long-duration activities or technical expeditions where every gram counts.

Polartec NeoShell

Polartec NeoShell, developed by Polartec, is one of the most innovative technical membranes on the market, designed to offer a unique combination of stretch, active breathability and waterproofing. Unlike other technologies that focus solely on waterproofing, NeoShell balances protection from the elements with natural ventilation, making it an ideal choice for high-intensity activities and dynamic sports.

NeoShell uses an advanced microporous membrane, but with one key difference: its pores are designed to allow for low air exchange, dramatically improving ventilation without compromising water resistance. This technology creates a comfortable internal microclimate, quickly eliminating excess heat and moisture generated during intense activity.

NeoShell’s pores are small enough to block the passage of liquid water, providing robust waterproofing with a water column resistance of 10,000 to 15,000 mm , which may not be enough depending on activity and weather conditions. However, these same pores allow air exchange, a feature that sets it apart from totally waterproof membranes such as Gore-Tex or Dermizax.

Key benefits of Polartec NeoShell

  • Active, efficient breathability NeoShell provides two-way ventilation that keeps body temperature stable by expelling excess vapour and letting in a minimum of fresh air. This is particularly useful for high-intensity sports such as ski touring, mountaineering or trail running.
  • Superior stretchability One of NeoShell’s greatest strengths is its stretchability. Designed to offer unrestricted mobility, it’s ideal for dynamic activities requiring wide-ranging movements, such as climbing, snowboarding or cycling.
  • Adequate waterproofing Although its water resistance isnot as high as technologies such as Gore-Tex Pro or Dermizax NX, NeoShell more than meets the needs of most outdoor environments, including moderate rain and snow.
  • Improved thermal comfort Thanks to its ability to balance the internal microclimate, NeoShell minimises the risk of overheating or feeling damp, which is critical during prolonged activity.
  • Lightweight and quiet NeoShell is soft to the touch and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear for long days. It’s also quieter than other membranes, an added benefit for those seeking discretion in natural environments.

Sympatex

Sympatex, developed in Germany, is a non-porous membrane that has redefined the balance between weather protection, comfort and durability in the world of technical clothing. Unlike microporous membranes such as Gore-Tex or eVent, Sympatex uses polyester as a base to create a hydrophilic structure that regulates moisture at a molecular level, guaranteeing exceptional technical performance without compromising the environment. We particularly appreciate the fact that Sympatex is 100% recyclable and PFC-free.

In addition to its commitment to sustainability, the technology behind Sympatex is ingeniously simple and effective. Rather than relying on microscopic pores to block water and let vapour through, its non-porous membrane acts as a molecular regulator. It offers total waterproofing thanks to a hydrophilic polyester that completely repels water, offering resistance to water columns of over 25,000 mm. It is brutal and probably the most waterproof of all the membranes we present in this article. This water resistance guarantees absolute protection in extreme conditions: from snow-melting rain to all kinds of snow. Dynamic breathability should also be mentioned. Moisture from perspiration is absorbed by the membrane and transported to the outside by a process of molecular diffusion. This system is all the more effective when physical activity is intense, ensuring a dry and comfortable interior microclimate.

Key benefits of Sympatex

  • Exceptional durability Sympatex is one of the few 100% recyclable membranes, manufactured without environmentally harmful PFCs (perfluorinated compounds). The company also uses recycled materials in its production, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
  • Reliable waterproofing With water resistance that exceeds the most demanding standards, Sympatex is ideal for activities in adverse weather conditions. Its non-porous design ensures there are no weak points where water can seep through.
  • Adaptive breathability As the intensity of exercise increases, the moisture transport capacity of the membrane improves, allowing the wearer to stay dry even during high-intensity activities such as skiing, trekking or cycling.
  • Durability and resistance Sympatex’s non-porous structure makes it less likely to become clogged with body oils or dirt, extending its life and reducing the need for maintenance.
  • Stretch and comfort Although not as stretchy as Dermizax, Sympatex offers sufficient flexibility to ensure comfort during dynamic activities.

H2No (Patagonia)

H2No is Patagonia’s proprietary technology, which we’ ve told you a lot about, designed to be waterproof, breathable and durable. It uses a hydrophilic polyurethane membrane applied to recycled fabrics and treated with PFC-free DWR finishes.

This membrane ensures the waterproofing, breathability and durability of your technical garments. Designed with a hydrophilic polyurethane structure, H2No blocks the passage of water while evacuating the vapour generated by perspiration, offering reliable protection in adverse climates and during intense activities. While there isn’t much discipline-specific variety, its environmental commitment to recycled fabrics and PFC-free processing is brutal. Waterproofing is pretty decent with water resistance up to 20,000mm. Patagonia also offers a repair and replacement policy to ensure product durability.

H2No features

  • Reliable waterproofing: Water column resistance up to 20,000 mm, ideal for heavy rain or snow.
  • Effective breathability: Designed to keep the body dry during moderate to intense activity.
  • Durability: PFC-free and made from recycled materials, which is in line with Patagonia’s environmental commitment.
  • Guaranteed durability: includes H2No Performance Standard certification, which guarantees resistance to wear and extended use.

FutureLight (The North Face)

FutureLight, launched by The North Face in 2019, redefines the standard for technical membranes with its nanofilament technology, an advanced process that creates an ultra-light, highly breathable and flexible membrane. The North Face brand, has been designed to meet the demands of the most demanding athletes, FutureLight offers exceptional performance in extreme conditions and dynamic activities. However, as this is a new and exclusive technology, its price is higher than that of other membranes.

Key features

  • Innovative nano-spinning The nano-spinning process creates a network of microscopic fibres that allow water vapour to pass through without compromising waterproofing, guaranteeing constant breathability, even during high-intensity activities.
  • Waterproof and protective With superior water column resistance (>20,000 mm), FutureLight is ideal for heavy rain or snow, keeping the wearer completely dry.
  • Stretch and comfort The flexibility of the membrane offers great freedom of movement, making it perfect for technical sports such as climbing, ski touring or trail running.
  • Built-in sustainability Made from recycled materials and PFC-free, FutureLight is a responsible choice for those looking to minimise their impact on the environment.

Pertex Shield

Pertex Shield is a technology designed for those who value lightness and functionality in their outdoor adventures. It combines ultra-light fabrics with a waterproof and breathable membrane, providing an effective solution for dynamic activities such as fast hiking, trail running and cycling. It is not commonly used for skiing, so we won’t go into detail here.

Advantages of Pertex Shield

  • Ultralight: ideal for activities where weight is essential, such as trail running and cycling.
  • Affordable: compared with Gore-Tex and eVent, it is often less expensive.
  • Moderate waterproofing: sufficient for light to moderate rain.

 

Comparison table of the best waterproofing membranes in the textile industry

Now here’s the table promised at the beginning of the article, in which you can compare the different waterproofing membranes at a glance, so that when you next buy, you can choose the most suitable one thanks to the contrasting information. We recommend that you view the table from your computer, as you may not be able to see the full table from your mobile phone unless you activate the desktop version on the screen.

Features Gore-Tex Dermizax eVent Polartec NeoShell Sympatex H2No FutureLight Pertex Shield
Waterproof Very high (>28,000 mm) Very high (20,000-30,000 mm) High (>20,000 mm) Moderate (10,000-15,000 mm) Very high (>25,000 mm) High (20,000 mm) Very high (>20,000 mm) High (10,000-20,000 mm)
Breathability High (depending on variant) Dynamic Very high (direct breathability) Very high (two-way ventilation) Dynamic (hydrophilic) Moderate Very high (nanospinning) Moderate
Elasticity Moderate Very high Low Very high Moderate Moderate High Low
Durability Very high Very high High Moderate Moderate High High Moderate
Weight Varies according to model Moderate Light Light Light Light Very light Ultralight
Maintenance Requires DWR maintenance and regular cleaning Easy to maintain Regular (risk of clogging) Regular (DWR treatment) Easy (without micropores) Easy Regular (DWR treatment) Simple
Durability In transition (less PFCs) High (no PFCs) Moderate Moderate Very high (100% recyclable, PFC-free) High (PFC-free) Moderate (recycled materials) High (lightness and durability)
Best use Extreme conditions, mountaineering Dynamic sports, skiing High-intensity sports Intensive movement activities Sustainable activities, trekking Hiking, general use Technical expeditions, skiing Fast hiking, trail running

 

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