What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Waterproof Breathable Membrane

Jul. 14, 2025

Advantages and disadvantages of waterproof breathable fabrics like ...

Gore-Tex is so great!

Since the introduction of Gore-Tex, our mountaineering activities have become much more comfortable. Until then, umbrellas were coated to prevent water from penetrating through the coating and wetting the clothes inside, but coated rain jackets were very uncomfortable and stuffy inside. The advent of GORE-TEX changed the industry, and has undoubtedly led to the development of today's mountaineering.

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However, while breathable materials such as Gore-Tex have wonderful advantages, they also have disadvantages.

These will be explained including the structure of waterproof breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex, because understanding the structure of waterproof breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex will make it easier to understand their disadvantages.

Gore-Tex is not a fabric.

　Knowing the structure of waterproof breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex is the core of what we will discuss, so we will explain it first.

The body of Gore-Tex is not what we can see, although this may be slightly misleading. It is what is hidden inside the fabric that is the main body of GORE-TEX.

　Gore-Tex, for example, is a membrane. It is similar to a film. This membrane is the waterproof and breathable body of GORE-TEX. We see the membrane protected by the fabric between the top and bottom.

The true disadvantage of Gore-Tex.

　This is a very important structure, and it is the very thing that makes Gore-Tex a fatal disadvantage.

　For example, if you could make a rain jacket using only the Gore-Tex membrane, it would require no maintenance. Since the GORE-TEX membrane is not prone to staining or settling, a simple water rinse of the jacket would be all that would be required to keep it in good condition. Moreover, since the membrane is chemically stable, there is no risk of deterioration even if the jacket is dried in the sun all the time. Not only that, but you don't have to worry about it being too humid. The GORE-TEX membrane itself is so stable that it will maintain its high performance.

What if a rain jacket is made only with GORE-TEX membrane?

　However, making a rain jacket with only a GORE-TEX membrane creates other disadvantages that make it a poor product.

　For example, if Gore-Tex is left bare, it will not be strong enough to resist physical damage such as abrasion and chafing during use, and may tear after just one use in the mountains.

　However, let's say, for example, that the weight is ignored and the thickness is increased to prevent easy tearing. However, the bare Gore-Tex would not be comfortable to wear and would not feel pleasant against the skin.

　Not only this, but there are several other disadvantages. That is why we do not make rain jackets with GORE-TEX membrane alone. We always use it sandwiched between fabrics.

Why Gore-Tex is affected by fabric on top and bottom?

　The GORE-TEX membrane is a membrane, as explained earlier, and is a bit different from the fabric itself. It is essentially an internal membrane, although it can be said to be a fabric if it is sandwiched between fabrics on the top and bottom.

　The fact that it is sandwiched between fabrics means that even if the GORE-TEX membrane itself does not change or deteriorate, it will be affected by changes in the fabrics on the top and bottom.

　This is the primary reason why GORE-TEX requires maintenance.

　If the membrane is covered with a non-breathable fabric, its performance will be compromised, no matter how breathable the GORE-TEX membrane itself is.

　The top and bottom fabrics must not inhibit breathability.

Factors that hinder breathability and what you would do next?

　There are several factors that can impede moisture permeability, but the main ones are contamination of the inner side fabrics and poor water repellency of the outer fabrics. Both of these factors clog the fibers and block the passage of moisture.

　The disadvantages do not stop there. The loss of water repellency of the outer fabric causes the outer fabric to absorb water. While the inner fabric has a Gore-Tex membrane that does not allow water to pass through, the outer fabric will store water. This makes the rain jacket itself heavier. This makes the jacket itself heavier, and it also makes it easier for the body to get cold. Imagine wearing a T-shirt that has been soaked by rain. The water doesn't get through, so your body doesn't get wet, but the situation is similar. In fact, disposable rain jackets made of vinyl do not absorb water, and Gore-Tex, which has absorbed water, is worse than these jackets because it is not breathable. The reason is that both are not breathable.

　So what can we do about it?

　The answer is regular maintenance. It is to clean regularly to remove stains and perform water repellency restoration work on a regular basis.

　Basically, cleaning should be done after every heavy use. And we recommend that the water repellency restoration work be done every season, depending on usage.

We are professionals of water repellent treatments.

We originally lent our rain jackets for climbing Mt. And we too have maintained our Gore-Tex rain jackets initially with waterproof sprays and Nikwax. But no matter how much we maintained them according to the manufacturer's description, they never returned to satisfactory water repellency.

　We have experimented with many GORE-TEX jackets. In fact, we have ruined more than 100 Gore-Tex jackets. Fortunately we had a lot of Gore-Tex jackets that had lost their water repellency because we offered a rental service. This allowed us to discover the fatal point of waterproofing sprays and Nikwax. Simply put, they are different from the original water repellent treatment. Because they are different, they will never return to their original water-repellent state.

　We have been researching how to return them to their original water-repellent state. This was not an easy task, but it took many years of development. This is how we have completed our water-repellent coating technology.

Waterproof-Breathable Fabrics Explained | Trail & Crag

If you’ve ever found yourself trying to choose between two waterproof jackets and wondering what was meant by ‘tricot’, ‘DWR, or ‘water-resistant’, this article is for you. In this gear guide, I’m going to go into the technology used in waterproof fabrics and the things you might want to consider when choosing your next piece of rainwear. Just know that it’s going to get a little nerdy as this is the most technical article in a whole series on waterproof garments. If you are looking for something more general, like how to choose a rain jacket or an article explaining the differences between a soft shell and a hard shell, I have articles on those too.

For more information, please visit Waterproof Breathable Membrane(in,vi,ru).

Waterproof vs water-resistant

To ensure proper protection in the conditions you expect to face, it’s important to know the difference between the three levels of water protection afforded by fabrics. To be clear, the industry has yet to develop a standardized system for rating the water resistance of fabrics, and what I have done here is use designations where there is the most consensus among brands. Thankfully, many manufacturers have performed a more or less standardized test, which makes it possible to make comparisons. In a hydrostatic head test, an open-ended cylinder is placed on top of a piece of fabric and slowly filled with water. Results are measured in how much water the material can be exposed to (in milimeters) before it begins to seep.

Water-resistant (0 to 1,500 mm)

‘Water-resistant’ means that a fabric is tightly woven or manufactured in such a way that it resists penetration by moisture. But that doesn’t mean much. A garment made from water-resistant fabric won’t keep you dry in much more than a misty morning fog or a little drizzle. This is the lowest level of protection against moisture. Water-resistant fabrics perform very poorly in hydrostatic head tests and usually aren’t even tested.

Water-repellent (1,500 to 5,000 mm)

Water-repellent fabrics have one up on water-resistant fabrics in that they have a durable water repellent (DWR) coating which causes water to bead and roll off a jacket instead of soaking through it. This slows the speed at which a jacket becomes saturated in sustained rain. Because they don’t have waterproof membranes, water-repellent fabrics are only good for keeping you dry in light rain and are not sufficient for rainwear.

Waterproof (over 5,000 mm)

A waterproof layer will protect you in moderately heavy to very heavy rain depending on its rating. In very wet conditions, a fabric rated to 10, 000 mm will keep you drier than one rated to 5,000 mm, but above 20, 000 mm there is little notable difference in performance. Garments deemed waterproof typically have a DWR-treated face fabric and a waterproof-breathable membrane. Beyond this, they also need to have sealed seams (taped or heat welded) to ensure that water doesn’t get through the seams.

How do waterproof breathable fabrics work?

The fabrics used in technical rain wear typically have at least two layers: a waterproof breathable membrane and a permeable outer face fabric that protects the membrane.

A membranes acts as a barrier to water

At the core of every waterproof breathable fabric, there is a membrane which acts as a barrier to liquid water. These membranes come in two types: the first is porous and allows for air to pass through it while preventing the transmission of water droplets. The second, less breathable type of membrane is non-porous and allows for only water vapor to pass through it. Despite their functional differences, both types of membrane have to remain clean and unclogged if they are to ‘breathe’ at all.

The DWR-treated outer fabric helps the membrane to breathe

A waterproof membrane will usually stop breathing if the face fabric ‘wets out’ and becomes saturated in water. With nowhere to go, the water vapor in your perspiration then accumulates on the inside of your jacket, making you cold and sweaty. To prevent this, manufacturers treat their face fabrics with a hydrophobic Durable Waterproof Repellant (DWR), which causes water to bead up and roll off fabric instead of permeating it. The more effective the DWR, the better a fabric will breathe and keep you dry.

PFAS-free membranes and DWR

Up until recently, both the membranes and DWR found in waterproof fabrics relied on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) to repel water and make fabrics breathable. The problem with PFAS is that they do not break down over time and are harmful to the environment and people who can ingest them. To solve this problem, gear manufacturers have invested heavily in the development of PFAS-free membranes and DWR.

Nikwax was the first major brand to launch a range of PFAS-free products with TX.Direct Wash-in and Direct.Dry (factory-applied DWR), but many others have since followed their example. Gear Aid now make their own PFAS-free DWR called Revivex, and at least a few fabric manufacturers, like Gore-Tex, have developed their own PFAS-free DWR. But it’s not just DWR that has traditionally contained PFAS. Most membranes are still made using PFAS, although the fluorine-free trend is gaining momentum here too with eVent, Gore-Tex, and several clothing manufacturers developing PFAS-free membranes.

What are the downsides to PFAS-free fabrics and DWR?

As can only be expected, there are some downsides to PFAS-free fabrics and DWR. The most significant of these is that PFAS-free garments have to be washed and reapplied with DWR more regularly. If in the past, you washed and reapplied DWR to your rain wear only once a season, you might find that you need to reapply DWR two or three times a season. But for most consumers, that will be a small price to pay for owning a more sustainable product. Reapplying DWR is also pretty easy as I explain in my guide on how to apply DWR.

Which brands make garments that are PFAS-free?

PFC-free DWR and face fabrics are now the norm, but only a few brands are using PFC-free membranes in all their garments. Patagonia and Fjällräven are two brands that stand out in having already achieved this. Other brands, like Rab and Outdoor Research, have committed to being 100% by the end of and have already made progress in removing PFAS from most of their products. There are also those brands that will only start using PFAS-free because the law demands it.

Brands that are completely PFAS-free Brands that are close to PFAS-free Patagonia Rab Fjällräven Outdoor Research Houdini Arc’teryx Jack Wolfskin

2L, 2.5L and 3L fabrics

Most waterproof fabrics are constructed in one of three ways: with 2 layers, 2.5 layers, or 3 layers. Each has its own pros and cons, and differs from the others in terms of breathabiity, durability, weight and bulk.

2L fabrics

Traditionally, 2-layer shells have had a face fabric bonded to a waterproof-breathable membrane with a loose (typically mesh) protective liner hanging inside them. Although more affordable, these mesh-lined 2L garments are generally heavier, bulkier, and less comfortable than 2.5L and 3L equivalents. However there are now also a few innovative 2L fabrics which use a textured membrane that increases abrasion resistance and makes an additional protective layer unnecessary. Garments made with these fabrics don’t need a mesh lining, meaning that they can be made lighter and less bulky.

2.5L fabrics

Like 2L and 3L fabrics, 2.5L fabrics also have DWR-treated face fabric and a waterproof-breathable membrane. But instead of having a separate mesh lining like most 2L fabrics or an inner layer bonded to the membrane like 3L fabrics, 2.5L fabrics have a thin protective coating (the 0.5 layer) painted onto the inside of the membrane. In the past, these coatings weren’t as good at absorbing and transmitting perspiration as a tricot lining, and many 2.5L shells left wearers feeling a bit clammy when they were worn next to skin. But recent developments in 2.5L fabric construction have helped improve the clammy factor, and some 2.5L shells are now almost as comfortable as 3L equivalents.

3L fabrics

In 3-layer fabrics the waterproof-breathable membrane is sandwiched between the face fabric and a protective inner lining. Again, the main purpose of this last layer is to prevent sweat and oils from clogging the microscopic holes in the membrane – something that would hinder breathability and make the wearer clammy with perspiration. It is this ability of the lining to prevent a membrane from becoming fouled that gives 3-layer fabrics an advantage over comparable 2.5 layer fabrics. The disadvantage of 3L fabrics is that they are slightly heavier than 2.5L fabrics (2L garments have a separate inner lining and can actually be heavier). As with 2L and 2.5L fabrics, the degree to which a 3L fabric is breathable depends on the type of waterproof-breathable membrane.

Waterproof-breathable membranes

Making a garment waterproof isn’t difficult, but making it waterproof and breathable is. To overcome this challenge, gear manufacturers have all turned to the same solution, a waterproof-breathable membrane. The original ePTFE membrane was produced by Gore-Tex, a brand that dominated the market for decades. 60 years on, there are now four different types of waterproof-breathable membranes and a dozen companies making them. This is what you need to know about the pros and cons of each.

Air-permeable membranes

Because they are porous, air-permeable membranes allow for the transmission of air and water vapor molecules, making them significantly more breathable than vapor-permeable membranes, which don’t allow air to pass through them. Given how important breathability is for preventing the build up of sweat during exercise, this type of membrane is often a better choice for physically intense activities.

ePTFE

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE for short, is the material that was first used in waterproof-breathable membranes. Because it doesn’t need to be as thick as polyurethane, it can be made thinner and more breathable than polyurethane film equivalents. The downside to ePTFE membranes is that they can become fouled more easily (impairing breathability) if exposed to oil and dirt and need to be washed regularly to ensure breathability and longevity. Products include Gore-Tex Pro and eVent, the two most expensive outdoor fabric brands on the market.

Gore-Tex Pro
eVent

Electrospun polyurethane

Because they are non-porous, regular PU film membranes (described under vapor-permeable membranes) are inherently less breathable than ePTFE membranes. To overcome this limitation and improve breathability, a few fabric manufacturers have started using electrospun polyurethane to make porous membranes. The result is a type of air-permeable membrane that is almost as breathable (or even as breathable) as ePTFE membranes and only slightly less waterproof. Fabrics include Polartec NeoShell, Outdoor Research AscentShell, and The North Face FutureLight.

Polartec NeoShell
Outdoor Research AscentShell
The North Face FutureLight

Vapor-permeable membranes

Unlike air-permeable membranes, vapor-permeable membranes are non-porous, meaning that air cannot pass through them. To achieve breathability, vapor-permeable membranes allow the transmission of water vapor through molecular wicking. This makes them inherently less breathable than air-permeable membranes, although the degree to which they are less breathable varies significantly between the two types of vapor-permeable membrane.

ePTFE-PU

Unlike Gore-Tex Pro, which has an ePTFE-only membrane, regular Gore-Tex features an ePTFE membrane bonded to a thin PU film. The purpose of the latter is to help prevent oil and dirt from clogging the membrane, the achilles heel of true ePTFE membranes. The result is a membrane that is less breathable than ePTFE membranes but more breathable than PU membranes. This type of hybrid membrane also splits on the difference on resistance to fouling and sits between the two in terms of price. Achieving a happy middle ground in all aspects of performance, Gore-Tex is still the most popular of waterproof-breathable fabrics.

Gore-Tex

Polyurethane film

Because they don’t incorporate any other membrane layers, PU film membranes have to be thicker to ensure the same level of waterproofness. Being thicker and entirely non-porous, these membranes are less breathable than other types of membrane, especially in humid conditions. But PU films also have their advantages: they are very durable and don’t become fouled by dirt and oil as easily as ePTFE membranes. And they are more affordable than any other type of membrane, making them a popular choice for proprietary fabrics like Patagonia H2No, Marmot NanoPro, and Columbia OmniShield.

Patagonia H2No
Marmot NanoPro
Columbia OmniShield

How to care for waterproof breathable fabrics

A waterproof jacket will keep you dry and warm for many years if properly cared for. Here’s how you get the most out of it.

Wash your rain gear regularly

With use, a garment will be exposed to dirt, sweat, sunscreen and insect repellent, all of which can reduce the effectiveness of a DWR application. Fortunately, restoring the breathability of a garment can be as easy as washing it. Use a suitable soap like Nikwax Tech Wash and make sure to read the manufacturer's washing instructions on the label. Most jackets can be machine washed, but you should always check first.

Don’t use fabric softener

Fabric softeners and bleach can damage the membrane in a waterproof jacket, so you should keep these products away from your rain wear. This actually applies to most technical clothing, which is just another reason that it’s best to wash your synthetic outdoor clothes (all of which should be washed with tech wash) in a separate load if possible.

Reapply DWR when needed

After a while, your jacket’s DWR will become noticeably ineffective even after you wash it. Instead of beading up on the surface, water will permeate the face fabric, causing the garment to ‘wet out’ and stop breathing. This is a sign that it is time to reapply DWR. But this is quite easy. With waterproof jackets, you wash in the DWR, using a product like Nikwax TX Direct. Again, read the label so that you know how to wash and dry the garment without damaging it.

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