# Goretex and the like **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 13, 2001, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goretex-and-the-like/61842 "2001-04-13T15:03:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2001, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goretex-and-the-like/61842/1 "2001-04-13T15:03:55Z")
I’d like to get material coated with Goretex (or some similar stuff). I just want the coated nylon material, not a garment, or tent. I’ve looked up the W L Gore site and they say they only sell to specific garment manufacturers. There are other similar materials (like Toddtex) but I can’t seem to find anything specific on the web about companies that will sell me bolts of the material. Any ideas out there? ---
**Author:** ![KeithB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@KeithB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithB)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goretex-and-the-like/61842/2 "2001-04-13T16:01:54Z")
This is a WAG, but you might try REI at http:\[www.rei.com](http://www.rei.com) I didn’t see anything obvious on the site, but I think the stores carry it – or they used to carry it. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2001, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goretex-and-the-like/61842/3 "2001-04-13T16:53:25Z")
First, GT isn’t a coating. It’s a PTFE (PolyTetraFloroEthylene, poorly spelled) laminate. Usually it comes in two or three ply versions, often sandwiched between protective layers. In a normal 3-ply GT raincoat, the outer layer is the abrasive resistant shell, coated with a DWR (Durable, Water-Resistant) spray. It’s the DWR that makes water bead up on the jacket surface, and it needs to be reapplied periodically. When the DWR fails, water “sheets” on the shell and prevents the GT from doing its job. Many times people thing the GT has failed when in fact the DWR needs reapplication. The middle layer is the GT laminate on a light fabric, then a light inner layer to protect the GT. There’s also 2-ply which is lighter but a bit more delicate, since there’s less protection on the inner surface. Anyways, visit [http://www.seattlefabrics.com](http://www.seattlefabrics.com) for your outdoors fabric needs. They are highly recommended by people who make their own gear. ---
**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2001, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goretex-and-the-like/61842/4 "2001-04-13T17:26:14Z")
If you just want coated material, there are serveral sources online.[The Cloth Spot 1-800-734-0062](http://www.theclothspot.com/)_**[Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics in Nampa, Idaho (800) 693-7467](http://www.owfinc.com)**_[Seattle Fabrics of Seattle, Washington (206) 632-6022](http://www.seattlefabrics.com)…(this is getting a little comercial so I’ll stop now) Try running a search for “coated fabric”, “suppliers, fabric” or even “Goretex”. Also Ultralight Hiking sites usually have links to fabric suppliers. Hey! Lookie there! I got the coding right on the links, and they are all still active. Woo hoo! Oops, Telemark had the Seattle Fabrics link, but I’m not taking it out of mine 'cause I worked so hard on it. So there. * * * Now using the “Standard Shift Sig” to improve server speed: “Oh, for the love of Mike” BGY-11 ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2001, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goretex-and-the-like/61842/5 "2001-04-14T00:24:39Z")
What do you need it for? When I worked in a mountaineering store many years ago, we sold it by the yard. It’s very expensive and not suited - or necessary - for many applications (not that that stops companies from marketing it for inappropriate products). Anyway, I bet you could get by with something cheaper and simpler.