Stretch Gore-Tex Scoop

Hot news from the Hello sailor! boys over at our sister site BOATmagic is that Gore seems to have come up with a new fully waterproof stretch version of its breathable membrane.

It's not quite a first; Karrimor produce the Eston, a cycling jacket made from stretch Gore-Tex and rated by our BIKEmagic cousins, but it's quite heavy and bulky so there's definitely room for improvement.

If it's true, the fabric should be a God-send for high-stepping climbers and outdoor can-can dancers everywhere and good news for manufacturers who, up till now, have had to look elsewhere if they want to incorporate stretch panels in their waterproofs.

The downside is that the initial version, which was spotted by our brave marine boys at a recent show, looks like being ferociously expensive - the jacket, from boating clothing company Musto retailed at a cool 450 quid... Gulp... And if you don't believe us:

BOATmagic speaks:

"Musto has been working very closely with Gore Associates to produce a fully waterproof, fully breathable, stretchy Gore-Tex material, and it seems to work very well indeed. Combined with their award winning offshore hood design which features fantastic little details such as guttering above the peak to drive water to the sides, and one handed adjustment toggles on the hood adjustment, this jacket is bound to do well. Quite pricey though as it will retail at, wait for it, £450! Gulp."

Guttering above the peak eh?, I don't believe you, I want to see the original BOATmagic in all its fishy finery. And indeed, who can blame me?