We've got a bit of a scoop for you here on OUTDOORSmagic. It's
something we've wanted to tell you about for ages, but it's been
embargoed, but here, at last, we can reveal the fabric Gore reckon is
40 per-cent more breathable than the original classic Gore-Tex and
even more breathable than both XCR and current generation
Paclite.
So what is this stuff? It's actually the next generation of
Paclite, the ultralight fabric with the dots, except that Paclite,
the next generation doesn't have dots any more. The Gore guys made
some very bad jokes about Paclite having grown out of its spots, but
the bottom line, joking or not is that the little polymer spots that
used to protect the membrane from internal abrasion damage have gone
and been replaced with a special protective layer.
No more dots...
The new internal layer is made from 'an oil-hating substance and
carbon' it says here. It's grey and very slightly rubbery in texture.
It slides much more easily over skin and other clothing, but that
added comfort's only part of the story.
According to Gore the layer allows and even helps water to escape,
but it also forms a physical barrier against oils, cosmetics, insect
repellants and other substances that could contaminate the membrane
and provides protection from abrasion.
Now even more breathable... and lighter
We've already mentioned the breathability improvements, but to put
them in perspective, 3-layer XCR measures 5.5 on the RET scale - a
lab assessment of breathability - while new Paclite has an RET value
of 'less than four', which is better. So in tests, lab assistants
said they preferred new XCR. Old Paclite, by the way, weighed in at
6.5 on the RET scale.
The new fabric is also 15 per-cent lighter than the current
version, which is nice.
Of course the proof of the pudding is in the real world testing,
but more of that in a minute. The good news is that when Paclite 3
appears early in 2003, not only will it be more breathable than its
predecessor, it should also be cheaper since the new laminate costs
25 per-cent less to produce, which is a nice bonus.
Who and what?
The list of brands who'll be using Paclite next year is like a
who's who of manufacturers in both Europe and the US, where the
fabric has been in use this year in very limited numbers. In the UK,
Berghaus, Karrimor, Mountain Equipment and Sprayway will all use the
fabric as will Arc'teryx, Go Lite, Haglofs and Marmot.
Most of the Paclite you see will be aimed squarely at fast movers.
Gore has stipulated that Paclite jackets must weight under 500
grammes and can incorporate up to 30 per-cent of another fabric,
probably XCR as reinforcement in high wear areas, like shoulders.
That's on top of what Gore describe as 'adequate abrasion
resistance'.
In other words, we're talking short, light, packable but very
breathable waterproof kit.
But does it work?
That would be telling, but we're going to. We've had a test
Paclite garment made by a Canadian company for the past couple of
weeks, but we also have a scoop pre-production test of a Paclite
smock weighing just 270 grammes and costing £120 from a top
British brand. Watch this space...
Alex Ford
