NEXT GENERATION GORE‑TEX PRODUCTS WITH EPE MEMBRANE

[Mukwa]

Looks like Gore Tex released a new gen ePE membrane material. Seems like this is the fabric to address a lot of the PFAs bans in certain states. Brands like Arctyrex are already swapping whole product lines. I would assume this is the new direction for several of the hunting brands, such as Sitka. The material is supposed to be lighter, thinner, and more sustainable. I like when companies push the needle toward positive manufacturing and material decisions.

 

[Grassymike]

Yeah ,but does it actually work ? My experience of waterproof breathables has been less than stellar. I find they start with limited breathability and once the surface wets out they breathe as much as the average garbage bag.

 

[ThreeOhSeven]

Yeah ,but does it actually work ?

Probably not as well as the PFA stuff. That's why I stocked up on gore pro when I could.

 

[Mukwa]

Yeah ,but does it actually work ? My experience of waterproof breathables has been less than stellar. I find they start with limited breathability and once the surface wets out they breathe as much as the average garbage bag.

They claim lighter and thinner, they don’t state any more or less breathable than their former material membranes. Time will tell, but one can hope that lighter and thinner helps achieve a better result for the mountain hunter in less weight and bulk to a system that works.

 

[Bubblehide]

Don't forget durability; time will tell.

 

[satchamo]

Looks like Gore Tex released a new gen ePE membrane material. Seems like this is the fabric to address a lot of the PFAs bans in certain states. Brands like Arctyrex are already swapping whole product lines. I would assume this is the new direction for several of the hunting brands, such as Sitka. The material is supposed to be lighter, thinner, and more sustainable. I like when companies push the needle toward positive manufacturing and material decisions.

Yeah hanwag is redoing their entire boot line for this as well. I’m just hoping they bring back my beloved alverstones

 

[Mukwa]

Yeah hanwag is redoing their entire boot line for this as well. I’m just hoping they bring back my beloved alverstones

That’s a good boot. I believe Black Ovis is selling the Alverstones 2 GTX on sale right now for 25%+ discount.

 

[Ferrulewax]

"Lighter, thinner, and more sustainable" is code for "fragile, weak, and doesn't work as well."

 

[Mukwa]

Gen 1 of the materials may be perfect out of the gate or may take a few iterations. Companies that invest high dollars in R&D may figure it out. I’m curious, with growing research and findings of permanent impacts from PFAs winding up in the critters we pursue, such as fish, birds, and whitetails (always seem to be the canary in the gold mine) should we as outdoorsman not try to better support this direction by our hunting/mountaineering brands? Isn’t it part of our main pursuit to put the purest and healthiest form of food on our plates? Likewise, accept the adversity of slightly lesser performance on our hunting products at the cost of not imposing impacts to the wildlife and environments we cherish and thrive in?

 

[Macintosh]

It's not to meet requirements in several states, its to meet requirements in all of the EU as well as the majority of $ within the US and Canada. Combined, it's the majority of the world where the old membrane was literally banned or about to be banned. These regs have been in place for going on ten years now specifically so manufacturing would have time to come up with replacements before the prohibitions went into effect, so it's been almost a decade in the making already. That means this is not "gen 1", this has been introduced in pieces and experimented with for quite a while now. That said, it is NOT as good as the best of the old stuff from a waterproof/breatheable standpoint--if it ever reaches that point it'll take a while.

 

[Dos Perros]

I’m curious, with growing research and findings of permanent impacts from PFAs winding up in the critters we pursue, such as fish, birds, and whitetails (always seem to be the canary in the gold mine) should we as outdoorsman not try to better support this direction by our hunting/mountaineering brands? Isn’t it part of our main pursuit to put the purest and healthiest form of food on our plates? Likewise, accept the adversity of slightly lesser performance on our hunting products at the cost of not imposing impacts to the wildlife and environments we cherish and thrive in?

You drive a gas vehicle to your hunting spot?

 

[Mukwa]

It's not to meet requirements in several states, it’s to meet requirements in all of the EU as well as the majority of $ within the US and Canada. Combined, it's the majority of the world where the old membrane was literally banned or about to be banned. These regs have been in place for going on ten years now specifically so manufacturing would have time to come up with replacements before the prohibitions went into effect, so it's been almost a decade in the making already. That means this is not "gen 1", this has been introduced in pieces and experimented with for quite a while now. That said, it is NOT as good as the best of the old stuff from a waterproof/breatheable standpoint--if it ever reaches that point it'll take a while.

That’s great to hear it’s been awhile in the making. No singular aspect will solve everything but it’s interesting to see what type of impact or fallout it will have.

 

[Mukwa]

You drive a gas vehicle to your hunting spot?

I think forever products and chemicals which lead to ever-impacting waste on the environment and your individual choice on coal rolling your vehicle are in separate, albeit similar, categories of debate.