Gore-Tex vs Pertex Shield vs eVent: which waterproof membrane should you buy?

What actually separates Gore-Tex, Pertex Shield and eVent — the tiers within each, what the differences mean on the hill, and why the spec sheets can't be compared directly.

By GearScouting · 9 min read

Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex Pro. Pertex Shield. Pertex Shield Pro. eVent. The names imply meaningful differences, and the marketing rarely explains what they are or whether they matter for the way you actually use a jacket.

Here's what separates them, what it means in practice, and — importantly — why you can't settle the question by comparing spec sheets.

What they all have in common

Every waterproof breathable membrane sits between the outer face fabric and the inner surface of a jacket. Its job is to block liquid water coming in while letting water vapour from your body pass outward. The tension between those two goals is what all membrane technology is trying to resolve.

All the membranes here achieve genuine waterproofing at meaningful ratings. The differences are in breathability approach, durability, construction standards, and warranty.

Quick comparison

Because the breathability row uses two different scales, the figures in it are not directly comparable — see why breathability numbers don't cross brands.

Gore-Tex

The most recognised membrane in the industry, from W.L. Gore & Associates. Traditionally built on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), a material with billions of microscopic pores large enough to pass water vapour but too small for liquid water droplets.

The guarantee

The meaningful differentiator is Gore's own guaranteed-to-keep-you-dry warranty, backed by Gore rather than only by the brand that made the jacket. To use the Gore-Tex label, brands must meet Gore's construction and testing standards — so the label carries a quality-assurance layer beyond the fabric itself.

It's also why Gore doesn't publish hydrostatic head figures per garment: the standard is pass/fail against Gore's own testing rather than a number on a spec sheet.

The tiers

Gore-Tex Paclite — prioritises packability and low weight with a lighter face fabric and 2.5-layer construction. Good for travel, running and days when pack size matters more than durability.

Standard Gore-Tex — the baseline, in everyday hiking and general outdoor jackets. Waterproof and breathable at a level appropriate for most recreational use.

Gore-Tex Pro — the technical tier, in serious mountain jackets from Arc'teryx, Mammut, Montane and Mountain Equipment. Higher breathability, more durable face fabrics, 3-layer laminate as standard. What to look for if you're regularly above the snowline or want a jacket that survives years of hard use.

Gore-Tex ePE

Gore's PFAS-free membrane, made from expanded polyethylene rather than ePTFE. Worth being clear about the timeline, because a lot of coverage gets it wrong: Gore announced ePE in September 2022 for the Autumn/Winter 2022 season, with first products from Adidas, Arc'teryx, Dakine, Patagonia, Salomon and others. It has been in UK retail for several seasons.

What's genuinely recent is the top tier: next-generation Gore-Tex Pro with ePE launched for autumn/winter 2025, completing the transition across the range. If you're buying a Gore-Tex jacket now, you're most likely buying ePE whether the listing highlights it or not.

eVent

A competing ePTFE membrane marketed around its "Direct Venting" construction.

How it differs

Traditional Gore-Tex laminates include a polyurethane layer on the inside of the membrane, protecting it from contamination by skin oils and sweat. That layer introduces a slight lag — it needs to become humid before vapour transmission reaches full capacity.

eVent removes it, so vapour transmission is more immediate and consistent from the start of activity. The claim is that it breathes better in the early stages of exertion, before you've built up significant sweat.

In practice

The real-world difference for most hillwalkers is subtle. eVent's advantage shows most at sustained high output — trail running, fast ascents — rather than at the walking pace where most recreational hill days are spent.

One practical note: eVent has become considerably harder to find in UK retail than it was five years ago. Across the current UK jackets in our spec table, it doesn't appear at all. If you specifically want eVent, expect a limited choice and be prepared to look at specialist retailers.

Pertex Shield

A different technology from the other two: Pertex Shield is typically a microporous polyurethane membrane rather than ePTFE. Used heavily by Rab, Montane and Black Diamond, particularly in lightweight and mid-price jackets.

Shield is not one product

This is the point product descriptions obscure most. "Pertex Shield" covers a range of performance levels within a single brand name, and the tier names don't map to fixed numbers.

Current Rab jackets using Pertex Shield — the Downpour Eco and Firewall, for example — are commonly rated at 20,000mm hydrostatic head with 20,000g/m²/24h breathability, which is a solid technical spec by any measure. Older jackets and other brands' implementations sit lower. Shield Pro and Shield Air designate different constructions and priorities rather than a simple ladder.

The practical rule: the tier name tells you less than the figure. Find the hydrostatic head and breathability numbers for the specific jacket rather than assuming from the fabric name. Our spec table lists them per model.

One important distinction

Pertex also makes non-waterproof fabrics under different names. Pertex Quantum and Pertex Microlight are lightweight windproof fabrics used in insulated pieces and windshells — they are not waterproof membranes. The word Pertex on a product does not mean waterproof.

The same trap exists elsewhere: Rab's Atmos, used in the Vital windshell, is a windproof woven nylon with a DWR finish and no membrane at all.

How to choose

For most UK hillwalking, the differences between a quality Gore-Tex jacket, an eVent jacket and a well-specced Pertex Shield jacket at similar prices are smaller than the marketing implies. All three will keep you dry in serious UK weather when properly maintained.

Where the differences do matter:

High aerobic output — trail running, fast alpine ascents, ski touring — Gore-Tex Pro or eVent's breathability approach makes a real comfort difference.

Sustained multi-day mountain use — Gore-Tex Pro's durability and construction standards make it the most reliable long-term choice, which is reflected in the price.

Weight-critical use — Pertex Shield and Gore-Tex Paclite in 2.5-layer constructions save meaningful weight with adequate performance.

Value — a well-specced Pertex Shield jacket from Rab or Montane at 20,000mm offers strong value against equivalent Gore-Tex products, often at half the price.

Honestly: for most buyers, fit, hood adjustment, venting and whether the jacket gets maintained will affect your comfort more than which membrane is inside it.

The PFAS shift

All three technologies are moving away from PFAS chemistry, in the membranes and in the DWR treatments on face fabrics, with EU restrictions tightening from late 2026.

The practical effect: current-generation jackets across all membrane types generally need more frequent DWR maintenance than older gear, because PFAS-free treatments are less durable than the fluorocarbon formulas they replaced. This applies equally to Gore-Tex, eVent and Pertex Shield — see our DWR restoration guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gore-Tex better than Pertex Shield?

Not categorically. Gore-Tex Pro against an entry-level Pertex Shield jacket, yes, there's a real gap. Gore-Tex against a current 20,000mm Pertex Shield jacket at a similar price, the difference comes down more to specific construction, fit and durability than to the membrane name.

Is eVent more breathable than Gore-Tex?

In lab conditions eVent's direct-venting design shows a faster breathability response, since it omits the polyurethane protective layer that introduces a lag in traditional Gore-Tex laminates. At normal hillwalking pace the difference is subtle; at sustained high output it's more noticeable.

What is Pertex Shield and is it waterproof?

Pertex Shield is a waterproof breathable membrane, usually microporous polyurethane, used by Rab, Montane, Black Diamond and others. It is genuinely waterproof — current Rab implementations are commonly rated 20,000mm. Note that Pertex Quantum and Pertex Microlight are windproof fabrics, not waterproof membranes.

When did Gore-Tex ePE come out?

Gore announced the ePE membrane in September 2022 for the Autumn/Winter 2022 season, with the first products arriving from brands including Adidas, Arc'teryx, Patagonia and Salomon. Next-generation Gore-Tex Pro featuring ePE followed for autumn/winter 2025.

Which waterproof membrane lasts longest?

3-layer Gore-Tex Pro constructions are generally regarded as the most durable for sustained hard use. All membranes degrade eventually, and how well the DWR is maintained affects working life across all of them.

Does it matter which waterproof membrane I choose?

For most recreational UK hillwalking, less than the price gaps suggest. Overall jacket construction, fit, venting and maintenance matter more. The membrane becomes the deciding factor at the extremes — high aerobic output, or sustained serious mountain use.

Sources

Gore-Tex: Introducing the ePE Membrane · Outdoor Sportswire: Next-Generation Gore-Tex Pro with ePE · Pertex Textile Technology · Snow + Rock: Waterproof Ratings Explained

Comparing specific jackets? Our spec table puts current UK models side by side with membrane, ratings, construction, weight and today's price.

The waterproof jacket spec table · Watch a product · All field notes