Gore-Tex ?

[Bryce]

Was out boot shopping last weekend to replace 2 pair that I foolishly purchased without Gore-Tex. Sick of wet feet. Had a salesman tell me that the patent had run out and other mfg's are now able to duplicate the product. Was this just another sales pitch to try and push me to a sub-standard product or truth? Wouldn't mind spending a few less dollars on my Gore-Tex needs. Don't go off topic and try to tell me there are other products that are as good or better than Gore-Tex. I've used them. They don't work. That simple.

[Northlander]

Ya a lot of companies make Goretex type boats etc. under other names.I just got some nice Gander Mt. boots and they call theirs TechH2O. Waterproof and breathable. Very nice boots and I got them on clearance for $40.

[PerchJerker]

Gore-tex is a waterproof membrane that is supposedly breathable. Several other companies have their own waterproof membrane that is supposedly breathable, aka the same thing as gore-tex just with a different name.

As long as you get waterproof boots with a membrane you should be ok, what you want to avoid are the waterproof boots that are only coated or treated with a temporary waterproof protection. Higher quality boots will have seams taped and leather treated as well as a membrane.

[Bryce]

Both off topic. Did the patent expire on Gore-Tex? If not, there is still nothing that comes close.

[PerchJerker]

 Originally Posted By: Bryce

Both off topic.

No they're not. Lose the attitude. Try to comprehend what you're reading.

As Northlander and I both posted, you can get the exact same thing as gore-tex from several other manufacturers. In case that didn't sink in, let me say it again -- the exact same thing.

In case that's not clear enough for you, then let me put it this way. The patent expired. Not recently either, it was quite a few years ago, at least 5 but I think even longer ago than that.

 Originally Posted By: Bryce

If not, there is still nothing that comes close

Not true at all. A waterproof membrane is a waterproof membrane and they are made the same way. The quality and the workmanship in the boot is what makes the difference.

[Bryce]

 Originally Posted By: PerchJerker

In case that's not clear enough for you, then let me put it this way. The patent expired. Not recently either, it was quite a few years ago, at least 5 but I think even longer ago than that.

Pretty sure that's what I orginally asked for. Thank you Richard. Sorry that a red smiley face gave me an attitude.

[delcecchi]

There are a whole bunch of gore patents. The first boot patent from Gore I could find was "US4599810: Waterproof shoe construction " from 1986 and one of the latest was "US6935053: Waterproof footwear and methods for making the same" from 2005. Obviously the original patents for the membrane were from before then.

So some of the Gore patents have expired and others haven't. The copiers are free to use those that have, but would have to license those that haven't. As consumers we have no way of knowing whether some "waterproof breathable" material is equivalent to the latest Goretex or not.

I always wondered about stuff like Cabela's "dry plus". Does it work as well and is it as durable as Goretex? It certainly is somewhat less expensive.

[Northlander]

Bryce you wont get much help from people with the attitude and little red face. What I tried to tell ya, but wasnt good enough I guess. is that the patent you speak of is done and other companies are making a product that in a lot of cases is the same thing in another label. Dont believe me? Then dont buy anything but Gortex and pay for the name. Thats what I thought you wanted was to save some $.

Ill stop now so I dont get you more off topic.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I own at least 20 different clothing articles that are "Gore Tex" or "Tech20". I've had multiple Gore Tex items leak including 2 pairs of boots I bought this fall, never had a leaky Tech20. Given that and the price differential, Gore Tex is not #1 on my list anymore.

[slipperybob]

Gore-tex has come a long way and some earlier fabrics weren't so good. They were coated on the inside with teflon or something else and the outer layer was made of nylon or polyester. The nylon version used a lot by Northface winter apparrel. The polyester version was used more by footwear.

Keep in mind the original design of Gore-tex fabric is for cold weather. In warmer weather it's probably better to use other types of fabrics. Current Gore-tex fabrics??? I think there exist the MT50 and the XCR type. MT50 for silent wear and XCR for high abrasion resistance. Always on constant improvements over the original concept. Gore-tex is a multi laminated fabric that can be made specified.