In 1970, American W. L. Gore & Associates researched a historical fabric – GORE-TEX®- that changed outdoor gear history. GORE-TEX® is based on the core film – ePTFE with unique waterproof, well-ventilated, and windproof properties, becoming the century fabric. Nowadays, GORE-TEX® is not only used in traditional outdoor gear like rash jackets and climbing shoes, but also permeates into the fashion and daily protection gear field, becoming the premier choice of high-end customization. As a manufacturer specializing in customized functional hats, we, Aung Crown, will explore the fabric GORE-TEX® in its core technology and potential.

What’s GORE-TEX®?

What’s GORE-TEX®? It’s the world’s first durable waterproof, breathable, and windproof fabric and can keep well-ventilated by chemical displacement reaction with windproof and keep warmth functions, called the “century cloth” in Europe. Clothing, shoes, and gloves made from GORE-TEX® have protected American astronauts and explorers a lot.

GORE-TEX® Core Technology – Microstructure for Ultimate Performance

The innovation factor of GORE-TEX® is its core film technology. Through precision micropore design of ePTFE or ePE, GORE-TEX® can achieve 3 in 1 design – waterproof, ventilation, and windproof.

1. Micropores waterproof: 9 billion micropores are spreading on each square centimeter, and the diameter of each pore is 1/20,000 of a water drop (<2 microns), which can block the impact of 20,000 mm water pressure or storm rains. However, normal clothes can only block 1,000 to 7,000 mm.
2. Ventilation & Sweat-moisture: Micropores are 700 times bigger than water vapor molecules; therefore, the ventilation can reach 8,000- 10,000 gm/m²/24hr, which is 2,000 to 3,000 times that of ordinary fabrics. It can be very quick to drain sweat on the head and neck to avoid being sweaty and sticky.
3. Windproof and keep warmth: The structure of micropores can almost completely block air flows, and the air permeated rate is lower at 5 l/m²/s, which can effectively lock the body heat.
4. Environmental protection: In 2025, GORE-TEX® adopts updated ePE thin film made from regenerated materials, which can reduce the consumption of PFAS. The carbon emission decreases by 23%, which caters to the European environmental protection regulation.

Matched Guideline for Types of GORE-TEX® Catering to Hats

GORE-TEX® can be divided into two main types for different occasions – Black Label (GORE-TEX Products) and White Label (GORE-TEX INFINIUM™) to cater for customized hats.

1. Black Label (GORE-TEX Products): Full-Day Waterproof Protection

GORE-TEX® (Standard)

• Structure: 2-layer (outer layer + thin film) or 3-layer (pressed 3 in 1)
  • Function: 20,000mm waterproof and 8,000gm ventilation
  • Suitable occasions: hiking, urban commutes
  • Customized suggestions: combined with lightweight beanies as lining to improve comfort for daily wear.

GORE-TEX® PRO

• Structure: 3-layer composite with 80D high-strength outer layer
  • Function: 50% higher in wear resistance and longer waterproof and tear-proof
  • Suitable occasions: climbing and polar adventure caps
  • Customized suggestions: adopts 22mm wide press glue at stitching for extreme weather or climate

GORE-TEX® ACTIVE

• Structure: extreme lightweight 3-layer design + C-Knit ventilated lining
  • Function: 30% better in ventilation and only weighs 180g/m²
  • Suitable occasions: cross-country running or riding hats
  • Customized suggestions: adopting laser-cut holes for better ventilation and stronger air circulation.

GORE-TEX® PACLITE Plus

• Structure: 2.5-layer (anti-dirty coating replacing lining)
  • Function: lightweight and easy to store; 15,000mm waterproof
  • Suitable occasions: travel hats and collapsible hats
  • Customized suggestions: embedded with a magnetic snap to achieve one-handed storage quickly

2. White Label (GORE-TEX INFINIUM™)

GORE-TEX® INFINIUM 

• Function: 100% windproof and 12,000gm ventilation
  • Suitable occasions: Golf hats, casual business hats
  • Customized suggestions: blended with wool as an outer layer can balance texture and function

Unique Values of GORE-TEX® in Hat Customization

1. Full-Day Waterproof Protection

• Outdoor sports: During climbing mountains or skiing, GORE-TEX® hats can withstand winds, rains, and snow, and avoid the head getting sticky when exercising.
• Urban commutes: Combined with fashionable designs to provide light protection for rainy seasons or cold weather, which can meet the needs of errands for urban people.

2. Pros in Customization

• Light in weight and comfort: Adopting the 2-layer structure (outer layer + GORE-TEX®) combines lightweight and basic protection, which is suitable for daily wear.
• Wear resistance and function: 3-Layer, pressing 3 layers in 1 layer can boost the wear resistance, which is suitable for high-altitude places, polar places, and harsh environments.

Industrial Trend and Brand Collaboration Insights

1. Cross-board Integration – From Outdoor to Fashion

In 2025, GORE-TEX® Brand returned to Shanghai Fashion Week for the second time with its Life “On Live” project. The concept, inspired by the GORE-TEX Live Studio in Paris, was reimagined to highlight everyday urban life and adaptable style. Visitors, including consumers, KOLs, and industry insiders, explored the brand’s materials and technologies, experienced the products in realistic settings, and tested them firsthand.

2. China Market Strategy

The W. L. Gore Company has expanded its Chinese markets as its key strategy. It has cooperated with native brands to research and develop shoes, apparel, and even accessories to push the popularity of the full-day protection theory. For example, Arc’teryx GORE-TEX® curved hats, priced at ￥900, have become a representative of high-end outdoor gear.

3. Balance between Environmental Protection and Function

With the increasingly limited fluorinated compounds in European and most areas in the United States, W. L. Gore Company has provided sustainable ways to its collaborating brands by its innovative ePE thin film to address this problem.

Why Choose Custom GORE-TEX® Hats

GORE-TEX®, as the “century cloth” based on its waterproof, well-ventilated, and windproof functions, has become the gold standard for outdoor gear. Moreover, custom GORE-TEX® hats are not only the extreme pursuit of function, but also the accurate matching between brands and users. Moreover, custom GORE-TEX® hats can cater to senses with technology, respond to sustainable development through eco-friendly materials (ePE), and ensure quality and function by controlling all supply chains to redefine the boundary between outdoor protection and urban life. No matter whether for handling climate change or urban commutes under changeable weather, or even conquering polar snow mountains, custom GORE-TEX® hats can transform technology into the gear that protects heads, allowing users not afraid of the weather and enjoy their adventures.

Conclusion: Redefining the Boundary between Protection and Aesthetics

The revolution of GORE-TEX® is not only a victory in fabric technology, but also the wisdom crystal that humans handle natural challenges. In today’s society, the climate has changed dramatically. Custom GORE-TEX® hats can combine function and aesthetics perfectly to create a hat for users, which can let users not be afraid of the weather and enjoy their adventures with a cozy wearing experience at the same time.

Note: The data in this article comes from a technical white paper on W. L. Gore’s website and from public market reports and cooperative cases.