How GORE-TEX® Workwear Works
A GORE-TEX® Garment keeps rain and wind out and lets sweat out, all through one very thin membrane. Arc Rated GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Garments add protection against the heat of an electric arc. Here is what is inside them, in Gore’s own animations and videos.
The membrane
The GORE-TEX® membrane is an extremely thin layer of expanded PTFE (ePTFE). Gore says it has over 1.4 billion microscopic pores in every square centimetre, and those pores are what make it durably waterproof, windproof and breathable at once.
The trick is the size of the pores. Each one is about 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, so rain can’t get through. But it is about 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapour, so sweat passes straight out. Gore’s video puts it in scale: if one pore were the size of a football stadium, a molecule of sweat would be the size of a football, and a raindrop would be the size of the Earth.
- 1.4 billion
- pores per cm², according to Gore
- 20,000×
- smaller than a raindrop: rain stays out
- 700×
- larger than a water vapour molecule: sweat gets out
Durably waterproof
Gore says GORE-TEX® Fabrics stay waterproof over their entire lifetime, even after contamination.
Very breathable
Sweat vapour escapes, which is where the comfort comes from on a long, active shift.
Totally windproof
The membrane keeps the wind out, so the wearer’s own warmth stays in.
2-layer or 3-layer?
2-layer
The membrane is bonded to the outer fabric, with a separate lining inside. Gore describes 2-layer as emphasising comfort and versatility, and it can be combined with insulation for warmth.
In our range: Amazon, Congo and Colorado jackets, Hudson jacket, Ebro trousers, and the padded Yukon coverall.
3-layer
A thin inner fabric is bonded to the membrane as well, so there is no loose lining. Gore describes 3-layer as having enhanced durability while staying lightweight.
In our range: Rhine over trousers, Danube and Mekong salopettes.
Look inside
Inside a GORE-TEX® Garment: outer fabric, GORE-TEX® membrane, inner material, with taped seams throughout.
GORE-TEX® Workwear in our range
Orbit International
Orbit Congo GORE-TEX® Two-Tone Hi-Vis Jacket, Class 3
Two-tone yellow and navy GORE-TEX® Jacket, EN ISO 20471 Class 3 and EN 343 4:4:R. The navy lower body hides the dirt on site.
1 colour available
Orbit International
Orbit Ebro GORE-TEX® Lined Work Trousers
Lined 2-layer GORE-TEX® over trousers in black or navy, with side access pockets and zip ankles. For wet work where hi-vis isn't needed.
2 colours available
Orbit International
Orbit Colorado GORE-TEX® Hi-Vis Bomber Jacket, Class 3
Hip-length GORE-TEX® hi-vis bomber, Class 3 and EN 343 4:4:R, for work where a long coat gets in the way. Orange is RIS-3279-TOM certified.
2 colours available
Orbit International
Orbit Danube GORE-TEX® Hi-Vis Salopettes, Class 2
Orange 3-layer GORE-TEX® hi-vis salopettes, Class 2, EN 343 4:4:R and RIS-3279-TOM. Full cover to the chest for kneeling and wet ballast work.
1 colour available
Orbit International
Orbit Yukon GORE-TEX® Hi-Vis Padded Coverall, Class 3
Padded orange GORE-TEX® Coverall, Class 3, EN 343 4:4:R and RIS-3279-TOM. One-piece protection for cold, wet and exposed winter work.
1 colour available
Orbit International
Orbit Mekong GORE-TEX® Hi-Vis Salopettes, Class 2
Yellow 3-layer GORE-TEX® hi-vis salopettes, Class 2 and EN 343 4:4:R. Chest-high cover for kneeling and ground-level work in the rain.
1 colour available
Orbit International
Orbit Amazon GORE-TEX® Hi-Vis Jacket, Class 3
Class 3 hi-vis GORE-TEX® Jacket rated EN 343 4:4:R. Built for all-day outdoor work in heavy rain. Orange version certified to RIS-3279-TOM.
2 colours available
Orbit International
Orbit Rhine GORE-TEX® Hi-Vis Over Trousers, Class 1
3-layer GORE-TEX® hi-vis over trousers, Class 1 and EN 343 4:4:R, with side access and zip ankles. Orange is RIS-3279-TOM certified.
2 colours available
Orbit International
Orbit Hudson GORE-TEX® Work Jacket
Men's 3/4-length GORE-TEX® Jacket in black or navy with a detachable, concealed hood. For wet outdoor work that doesn't need hi-vis.
2 colours available
What happens in an arc
An Arc Rated GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Fabric is built in layers, and each one has a job:
- 1
Outer shell
The face fabric you see.
- 2
Expanding graphite/polymer layer
When the heat of an arc hits, this layer expands to form the first insulating layer between the arc and the wearer.
- 3
ePTFE membrane
The GORE-TEX® membrane: waterproof, windproof and breathable.
- 4
Fire-retardant adhesive and backer fabric
The second insulating layer.
Gore says the fabric blocks convective heat flow during arc exposure and stops flame spreading by forming a carbonaceous char with the textile, which reduces heat transfer to the skin. In Gore’s test footage, the result is no burns on the skin and no holes in the clothing underneath.
Arc rated protection
Protects against the thermal hazards of an electric arc.
Flame retardant
Stops flame spreading by charring, reducing heat transfer to the skin.
Lightweight
Gore says these garments are up to 45% lighter, wet or dry, than other garments with Class 2 arc protection.
Durably waterproof
Keeps the wearer dry through long hours outdoors in heavy rain.
Breathable
Avoids a build-up of moisture inside.
Totally windproof
Keeps the wearer’s microclimate steady.
Reading an arc rating
As on our Velocity jacket and Altitude salopettes:
- EN 61482-2 APC 2
- Arc protection Class 2, the higher of the two classes in the box test.
- ATPV 48 cal/cm²
- The incident energy at which there is a 50% chance of the onset of a second-degree burn. Match it to the energy in your arc-flash risk assessment.
- ELIM 42 cal/cm²
- The incident energy limit, the highest energy at which no test result showed a burn onset.
Our Velocity and Altitude are 2-layer Arc Rated GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Garments. Gore also makes a 3-layer construction, which we don’t currently stock. Ask us if you need it.
Arc Rated GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Garments in our range
Orbit International
Orbit Velocity GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Arc-Rated Hi-Vis Jacket, Class 3
Arc Rated GORE-TEX® PYRAD® jacket: hi-vis Class 3, EN 61482-2 APC 2 (ATPV 48 cal/cm²), EN ISO 11612 and EN 343 4:3:R. For arc-flash and wet work.
2 colours available
Orbit International
Orbit Altitude GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Arc-Rated Hi-Vis Salopettes, Class 1
Arc Rated GORE-TEX® PYRAD® salopettes: hi-vis Class 1, EN 61482-2 APC 2 (ATPV 48 cal/cm²), EN ISO 11612 and EN 343 4:3:R. The partner to the Velocity jacket.
2 colours available
Reading the label on our garments
Tap a marking to see what it means.
EN 343 4:4:R
Top class for keeping rain out and for letting sweat out, rain tower tested. Explained →
EN ISO 20471 Class 3
The most conspicuous hi-vis class. Explained →
RIS-3279-TOM
Certified for Network Rail work (orange styles).
EN 61482-2 APC 2 / ATPV 48
Arc-flash protection (PYRAD® garments).
EN ISO 11612
Heat and flame protection (PYRAD® garments).
More on GORE-TEX® Workwear
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