Everything You Need To Know About Gore Tex
The mornings are getting darker and the days seem like they are getting shorter, winter is well on the way. It’s fair to say that in Australia we don’t see a huge amount of rainfall during winter, but when it does rain, it can strike at any time and most of the time out of nowhere, in abundance. But with the Ara Gore Tex Shoes range we now have a new weapon in the battle against wet weather.
It’s the cooler seasons that you’ll start to hear the term Gore Tex all the time. But what is Gore Tex, where did it come from and how can it change our life?
When was Gore Tex invented and how did Gore Tex start?
Where it all began, Gore Tex was invented in 1969 by two brothers Wilbert L. Gore and Gore’s son, Robert W. Gore. Bob (by sheer accident) decided one day to stretch heated rods of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and created expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) which is more commonly known by the generic trademark Teflon.
Gore Tex materials are typically used in a wide variety of applications such as high-performance fabrics, medical implants, filter media, insulation for wires and cables, gaskets, and sealants. However, Gore Tex fabric is best known for its use in protective, yet breathable, rain-wear.
Are Gore Tex shoes waterproof?
We all know that Gore Tex keeps us dry, but do we know what Gore Tex really is? Is it a fabric? Is it a spray treatment? Gore Tex can repel liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through and is designed to be a lightweight, waterproof fabric for all-weather use.
Do Gore Tex shoes work?
But have you ever wondered how Gore Tex products actually work? No, it’s not magic — though it might seem that way sometimes. If we deep dive into the Gore Tex technology, it generally refers to three main layers.
The upper layer is a thin material made of a very durable, waterproof material. The middle layer is equipped with a microporous membrane structure, which allows comfort and health benefits all day long, and the lowest layer helps secure hold, durability and prevents the other layers from slipping away.
Does Gore Tex actually work?
So how do we keep our feet dry, and does Gore Tex actually work? The Leisures Shoe Boutique brand Ara, can actually keep our feet dry and has advanced technology to thank as well as rigorous product testing to ensure quality in every pair of shoes.
Each square inch of this membrane contains 9 billion microscopic pores, and each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet. Rain, sleet and snow can’t penetrate this barrier. Each pore in the membrane is 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule, allowing sweat vapor to escape from inside the shoe. This is what it means for the fabric to “breathe.”
Do Gore Tex shoes breathe?
Beautiful ARA Gore Tex Winter Boots
Breath-ability is why you can wear a pair of Gore Tex boots in the rain without your feet getting wet from the outside or growing clammy on the inside from exertion.
To make sure each new style of Gore Tex footwear is waterproof, breathable, comfortable and durable, prototypes are rigorously tested in Gore labs before they can go into production.
Specially designed testing equipment is used to ensure that the design is up for the challenges in the real world. Every new footwear prototype is put through its paces in our Gore Tex testing labs.
There are four specific tests; The Walking Simulator, The Centrifugal Tester, The Wicking Test, and The Comfort Test.
The Ara brand is from Germany, and made to combat the European winters and wet weather. Comfort Footwear is great for both high-output activities and everyday use. The technology is perfect for constant changes between indoors and outdoors, standing and walking, working and leisure time. Especially in Australia, when the weather can turn quickly, in our lifestyle we are now required to have footwear that is fashionable and high performing. Gore Tex does actually work and fits our lifestyle perfectly..
Are Gore Tex shoes worth it?
Autumn Gore Tex Lace Up For The Ultimate Comfort
So we get that they keep your feet dry and free from getting sweaty, but are they worth the price? The Gore Tex logo means a lot, when you see this on the Ara shoe product you know its quality. If you see it on a pair of shoes, then that product is backed by the GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY® promise. After all the testing that Gore Tex products go through, a guarantee is a no-brainer! It’s worth the upfront cost, as like in ski gear, the quality will last years and is a quality endorsed product.
Can Gore Tex be machine washed?
So after all the water proofing and repelling liquid conversation, can we actually throw them in the washing machine I hear you ask. We would advise not too, however, we would suggest them to be scrubbed with a cloth or brush dipped in warm water. And before even wearing your beautiful Gore Tex shoes, spray them with a Scotchgard waterproofer. Not for waterproofing, but for keeping your investment shoes looking brand new.
Find your favourite Gore Tex footwear at Leisures Shoe Boutique and enjoy the comfort all day long. Visit our website to shop the entire Ara range.