Gore's new Glove Technology

The latest development from Gore-Tex is a glove system called X-TRAFIT which is claimed to improve grip on poles and ice tools when using Gore-Tex-lined gloves.


Gore-Tex-linied gloves use a liner membrane between the inside of the glove and the shell. Unfortunately, while this gives wind and waterproof properties to the gloves, movement between the lining of the glove, the Gore-Tex membrane and te shell of the glove can make them feel slippery when holding onto a handle.

The new X-TRAFIT system uses a new construction technique which bonds the liner and the membrane permanently using a special, highly breathable adhesive, then sits a proprietary grip tape between the membrane and the outer glove material to prevent movement between those layers when they are compressed.

Gore says that the gloves still remain soft and pliable despite the extra adhesive layers and give more precise control and grip. We've briefly tried a pair of Mountain Equipment's new £80 Cascade X-trafit ice-climbing gloves which use the system along with a grippy Pittards Oiltac palm and they did feel impressively non slippery in the ME showroom. Extremties also uses X-TRAFIT technology in its latest mountaineering gloves.

More information from www.gore-tex.co.uk.