When it comes to staying dry and comfortable in unpredictable weather, GORE-TEX is a name outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and everyday adventurers trust. But owning GORE-TEX gear is only half the journey—taking care of it is what ensures it performs as intended, year after year.

But before we get into how to keep your GORE-TEX clean & pristine, let's find out, what is GORE-TEX? And how does it work?

GORE-TEX is a waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric membrane. It’s used in various kinds of outdoor gear ranging from jackets, pants, boots, even gloves—all to keep you dry, warm, and comfortable from the rain and snow. The membrane is incredibly thin—only about 10 microns—but contains over 9 billion microscopic pores per square inch. These pores are ~20,000 times smaller than a water droplet so rain can’t penetrate the fabric it lands on. At the same time, these pores are also ~700 times larger than a water vapor molecule, so sweat(in vapor form)can escape from the inside of whatever you are wearing. Not only that, but the tight structure of the membrane blocks wind from passing through, which prevents wind chill and helps you retain body heat. 

So, why is GORE-TEX upkeep so essential? Since GORE-TEX’s membrane is made up of tiny pores, just like the pores in your skin, overtime dirt, oils, and abrasion can clog the fabric’s pores. When this happens, it compromises the Durable Water Repellent(aka DWR)coating which then leads to a condition known as “wetting out”. This is where water saturates the outer layer, reducing breathability trapping heat & sweat inside of whatever garment you are wearing, and making you feel moist, and damp—even when you’re technically not getting wet. Not only that, but stains and odors become more difficult to remove, and delamination or even seam failures may occur over time. Nothing ruins an outdoor trip faster than soggy, heavy clothing. Keeping your GORE-TEX in peak condition ensures that it works when you need it most—whether you’re stuck in a downpour, shredding in the Rockies, or breaking a sweat on the trail.

Now, we’ve learned about what GORE-TEX is and why it’s so important to maintain it, let’s discuss the best ways to maintain your GORE-TEX and how often you should be maintaining it.

The best way to maintain your GORE-TEX is with regular cleaning. You can put your garment into your washing machine with a cleaner. That being said, it is very important to note that when cleaning your garment it is recommended to use a cleaner that will help reactivate the DWR coating. If you use a regular everyday clothing detergent(e.g. Tide, Gain, Woolite, etc.) those kinds of detergents will clog up the pores of the GORE-TEX membrane which will lead to it “wetting out”. For optimal GORE-TEX restoration, it’s best to do a first cleaning cycle using a tech wash followed by a cleaning cycle using a TX Direct wash(I recommend the ones from Nikwax), and finally a rinse cycle with no kinds of cleaners, just to make sure there’s no left over cleaner left on the garment.. The Nikwax Tech Wash cleans your GORE-TEX without damaging the waterproofing and leaving any type of residue that a regular detergent would, and does not strip the DWR coating. The Nikwax TX Direct is what restores the water repellency an unlike many waterproofing treatments, Nikwax’s TX Direct doesn’t clog the breathable pores of technical fabrics, so sweat and moisture from inside the garment can still escape improving the comfort & performance of your GORE-TEX. Now don’t be mistaken, the Nikwax TX Direct does not clean your garment, it is purely for restoring the DWR coating, this is why it’s crucial to do a first cycle with the Nikwax Tech Wash before doing your TX Direct cycle.

Once your garment has gone through the three wash cycles, it’s time to throw your garment into the dryer on low to medium heat. It’s very common to think that you should be hanging up your GORE-TEX garments to dry, but when you put your GORE-TEX in the dryer it actually reactivates that DWR finish. If you don't have a dryer available to you, you can even iron gently(no steam)with a towel over the garment in a warm setting. The warmth of these two methods is what reactivates the DWR finish.

With how often you need to maintain your GORE-TEX, it’s all dependent on how often you are using the garment. The more you use it and the more intense the activity, the more frequent you will have to wash your GORE-TEX. With light usage(e.g. urban use, occasional hiking) it’s best to clean every 10-12 wears or a few times per season. With moderate usage(e.g. regular hiking, biking), it’s recommended to clean every 5-6 wears. With heavy usage(e.g. Mountaineering, ski touring), you should be cleaning after every few outings or once per week of use. 

There’s no doubt that GORE-TEX gear is an investment, and when looking at an item that has the GORE-TEX label on it, that price tag it is not something to sneeze at which can honestly be intimidating at times, but with proper care it can last you many years of outdoor adventures. Neglecting maintenance of your GORE-TEX item can cause premature wear & tear, especially in high-friction areas such as the cuffs, seams, & zippers.

Though many brands use GORE-TEX on their products, not all brands use GORE-TEX. GORE-TEX is a third party that brands pay to put onto their products so having that name and technology makes GORE-TEX products more expensive. So in order for other brands to keep their products at a more affordable price, brands will invent their own version of waterproofing that will work in a very similar way to GORE-TEX—and because they work in a similar way, upkeep and maintenance remains the same as GORE-TEX  maintenance for those products. 

To conclude your newfound GORE-TEX knowledge, GORE-TEX stands as a remarkable innovation in outdoor apparel. Understanding what makes this material special—from its microscopic membrane structure to its layered design—helps us appreciate both its performance and value. But just as important is learning how to properly maintain it, GORE-TEX gear continues to perform at its best. By taking the time to care for our technical garments, we not only extend their lifespan but also uphold their ability to protect us in the harshest conditions. Ultimately, GORE-TEX isn’t just a fabric—it’s a commitment to comfort, safety, and adventure.