GORE-TEX PACLITE: Product technology for every day

Table of contents

An illustration of the GORE-TEX® PACLITE® technology characteristics.
Extremely lightweight without compromising efficiency

GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology is engineered to be extremely lightweight and packable. Plus, it has the full functionality of the microporous ePTFE membrane and provides excellent protection against the wind and rain. Amazingly, the same pores that prevent water and wind from getting in are just large enough for moisture vapour to pass through, so you’ll get that legendary breathability as well.

Hardshell jackets and trousers engineered with GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology offer excellent weather protection for travel, leisure, outdoor sports and even everyday wear. These garments are the ideal solution for hiking, cycling or skiing in unpredictable weather conditions. Not only do they take up very little room in your pack, but they also provide windproof and waterproof protection.

GORE-TEX PACLITE construction and technology

An illustration of the GORE-TEX® PACLITE® product technology 2-layer construction.
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® product technology is a special 2-layer construction.

The core of the special 2-layer laminate is the expanded PTFE membrane. This wafer-thin layer is the heart of GORE-TEX outerwear, giving the garments the breathability, windproof and waterproof protection they’re known for. The membrane is bonded to a tough outer shell material made of nylon or durable polyester.

While other GORE-TEX laminates, such as GORE-TEX Pro or GORE-TEX Active have a lining on the inside that protects the membrane and adds comfort, products with GORE-TEX PACLITE technology do not. The lack of this lining reduces the weight of the final product. To keep the interior and the membrane protected from dirt and damage, a protective layer made of an oleophobic (oil hating) substance and carbon covers that side of the membrane.

Plus, they use special GORE-SEAM tape technology to ensure that all seams on their waterproof jackets and trousers are really completely waterproof. This allows GORE to guarantee that all clothing equipped with GORE-TEX technology will stay dry on the interior and is able to withstand bad weather conditions even if used intensely and exposed to continuous rainfall.

GORE-TEX Active or GORE-TEX PACLITE?

Beta SL Jacket from Arc’teryx
The Beta SL Jacket from Arc’teryx is a hardshell jacket with GORE-TEX® PACLITE® product technology. It offers the best possible protection from the elements and is extremely breathable as well.

Even though both GORE-TEX laminates are lightweight and have a small pack size, GORE-TEX Active is more tailored to highly-aerobic activities. The GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology, on the other hand, is great for hill walking, travelling and as a casual option for every day. While GORE-TEX Active is soft and offers great next-to-skin comfort with a more fabric-like feel to the interior, the inside of GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology is much smoother. In terms of breathability, though, both laminates score incredibly high, with the GORE-TEX Active membrane being more efficient during highly aerobic activities. However, jackets and trousers with GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology are stronger and more durable.

Functional underwear and proper care

To ensure that the breathability of garments with GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology works properly, the layers of clothing underneath should have good good water vapour permeability as well. The ideal solution is to wear a base layer made of synthetic fibres or merino wool. Cotton does not wick away moisture well, to say the least. It’s also important to pay attention to the drying properties and water vapour permeability of insulating mid-layers made of fleece or elastic synthetic fabrics to ensure that the membrane can function to its full potential.

To preserve the microporous structure of the membrane, it is of utmost importance to clean and care for your GORE-TEX jacket or trousers on a regular basis. Otherwise, the little pores will eventually get clogged up. The garment will remain windproof and waterproof, but a build-up of dirt could have a negative effect on the breathability of the fabric. But, with proper care, GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology is guaranteed to last for a long time, while maintaining a high level of breathability.

GORE-TEX Paclite Plus

The Paclite Plus line has an even smaller pack size and is even lighter. True to the motto “hope for the best, but expect the worst”, the Paclite Plus technology is intended as a back-up solution for unforeseen adventures. Of course, the products are fully windproof, waterproof and breathable.

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Alpinetrek-Expert Guest author

4 Comments on the Article

  1. Lukas 29. January 2022 08:34 Uhr

    Hallo, ist GORE-TEX® PACLITE® belastbar, z.B. beim Trekking mit schwerem Rucksack über einen längeren Zeitraum? Merci

  2. Michel 20. January 2022 00:23 Uhr

    Hallo Und wo genau liegen jetzt die Unterschiede zwischen dem alten und der neuen plus Variante? Vielen Dank und liebe Grüße

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