GORE-TEX Introduces Pro Shell, 2 in 1 Gloves
Responding to consumer demand for more durable but lighter weight outerwear and gear for activities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing and ski touring, W. L. Gore & Associates has developed the new three-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell, which is designed for extreme and extended conditions and engineered to meet the demands of outdoor professionals and serious enthusiasts, says Cynthia Amon, public relations associate.
The Pro Shell features the company's new GORE Micro Grid Backer Technology, which the company says is the first of its kind in the world. It is a combination of tough face fabrics, GORE-TEX membrane, adhesives and a unique micro-denier fabric liner that enables production of extremely breathable laminates with improved abrasion resistance (inside and outside), lighter weight, comfort and a unique aesthetic, the company says.
New, softer, thinner seam tapes, combined with a new lining fabric that makes the seam sealing tape virtually invisible inside the garment, add to the cleaner lines and unique look of the final garment, says Amon. They also make the garments more than 60 grams lighter than typical tricot-knit-backed three-layer garments, which can translate to more than 10 percent weight savings in a garment.
The Pro Shell will be offered this fall from apparel brands including Arc'Teryx, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, Merrell, MEC, Burton, Outdoor Research, Spyder and Vans.
In other product news, Gore has introduced the GORE-TEX glove with GORE 2 in 1 technology. The glove is two gloves engineered into one, offering the choice between comfortably warm hands and enhanced grip.
The glove technology centers around a double-chamber system in a single glove. A "warm" chamber is ideal for cold weather, sensitive hands or non-strenuous activities. A second "grip" chamber ensures enhanced grip and superior tactility thanks to minimal insulation on the palm side of the glove. A unique "pull tab" between the two chambers makes it easy to slip your hand into the correct chamber. The two chambers are sewn into a single outer glove shell so there are no loose glove liners to drop or lose, says Amon.
The glove is ideal for sports such as skiing, she says. Skiers need a good grip for their ski poles, but their hands get cold during the chairlift rides. With the 2 in 1 glove, skiers can easily move their hands to the more insulated side of the glove for warmth when needed.
The 2 in 1 gloves will be available in winter 2007 from brands including Dynastar, Eska, Gordini, Grandoe, Hestra, Invicta, Kombi, Level, Marmot, Matt, Quiksilver, Racer, Roeckl, Salomon, Scott, Snowlife, Terra Nova, Trekmates, Zanier and Ziener.
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