Durable Water Repellent

Many GORE‑TEX products and some WINDSTOPPER® products by GORE-TEX LABS* are treated with an ultra-thin durable water repellent (DWR), a treatment that’s applied to the outermost fabric layer. DWR reduces the surface tension of the fabric, so that water simply rolls off. If water saturates your garment’s outer fabric layer you can feel damp and clammy – even if your product isn’t leaking. Restoring your product’s DWR means you’ll stay more comfortable and more protected.

* Garments and gloves previously included in the GORE‑TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® Products range will be named WINDSTOPPER® products by GORE‑TEX LABS.

DWR isn’t permanent. Regular wear and tear, exposure to dirt, detergents, insect repellent, and other materials can shorten its lifespan. The good news: restoring the water repellency of your GORE-TEX product is extremely easy.

Whether you own something from the durably waterproof GORE‑TEX products range, or the WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX LABS* products range, all the information you need to know about restoring water repellency is right here. 

* Garments and gloves previously included in the GORE‑TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® Products range will be named WINDSTOPPER® products by GORE‑TEX LABS. 

If water repellency can no longer be restored by washing and drying you’ll need to reapply a durable water repellent (DWR), this can be a spray or wash-in product. Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reapplication—and don’t forget to activate it by following our instructions for tumble dry or ironing.

This DWR has been identified by Gore as being free of PFCs of environmental concern and one of the best performing DWRs of its kind. While all of Gore’s DWR chemistries are completely safe for use, Gore PFC_EC FREE DWR has a lower environmental foot print.

We're committed to continuously reducing the environmental footprint of our products. We have set the ambitious goal to eliminate PFCs of Environmental Concern (PFC_EC) from the life cycle of our consumer products by 2023. As a step in this journey we have launched a durable water repellent treatment free of PFCs of Environmental Concern (PFC_EC Free DWR). Learn more about our environmental commitment.

Gore DWR offers both water and oil repellency. This DWR is used on our garments intended for more extreme and extended end uses like mountaineering. Gore PFC_EC DWR does not offer any oil repellency – just water repellency and is used on garments for general outdoor and lifestyle garment end uses like hill walking, camping and city wear.

Look for the GORE-TEX hang-tag insert calling out PFC_EC FREE DWR.

This DWR can be maintained and ultimately restored using exactly the same procedures as with Gore DWR. Regular washing and tumble drying / ironing, will keep the DWR performing at its best. When the DWR is no longer working, there are many commercially available PFC_EC FREE DWR restoring solutions available at retail.

Restoring should only be done when you are sure there is no DWR left on the outer fabric. If, after wash/ tumble dry, the DWR is not performing, then using a restoring solution is appropriate at that time. Frequency of restoring depends on how often you use the garment.

Most of the commercially available restoring chemistries are now PFC_EC free. Please check the product labels on the restorers to check their recommendations of use.

As we do not manufacture reproofing products, we do not endorse any specific brand of reproofing products, although wash-in impregnation products and sprays can both be used to reproof GORE-TEX products. Generally speaking, we would rather suggest pump-action sprays to reduce the environmental impact.

Oil, dirt and stains affect all types of DWR. The Gore PFCEC Free DWR does not have any oil resistance, so can be impacted more quickly by body oils/ stains than Gore DWR, which does have oil resistance.

No. Steaming has a negative impact on all DWR treatments and will reduce the water repellency. If a garment is steamed, the only way to restore the DWR performance is to tumble dry or iron, following the garment care instructions.

Our testing has shown that Gore PFC_EC FREE DWR has similar performance to Gore DWR for general outdoor use, however for more extreme and extended uses, testing has shown Gore DWR to be more durable.

Simply wash the garment regularly according to care instructions which do not allow for stain removers.