Waterproof Jacket Guide: Best Fully Waterproof Coats & GORE-TEX

You’ve probably stood in front of a rack of waterproof jackets wondering whether GORE-TEX is worth the premium, or why last year’s coat suddenly lets rain through. The real answer has less to do with the membrane brand and more with how the jacket is built and how you care for it.

Material: Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) membrane ·
Brand owner: W. L. Gore & Associates ·
Pore density: About 9 billion pores per square inch ·
DWR finish: Needs periodic reactivation or reapplication

Here are the four key facts about waterproof jackets at a glance.

What is the best fully waterproof jacket?

A fully waterproof jacket needs three things: a waterproof membrane, fully taped seams, and water-resistant zippers. No single brand or membrane guarantees dryness — the construction matters just as much as the material. Great Outdoors (Irish outdoor retailer) advises that fully taped seams are essential for long-term waterproofing, and Snow+Rock (UK outdoor retailer) explains that hydrostatic head ratings — measured in millimetres — give an objective measure of how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before leaking.

Is there a 100% waterproof jacket available?

No jacket remains 100% waterproof for the life of the garment. The DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the outer fabric wears off, seams can degrade, and zippers eventually leak. Atire (Irish waterproofing specialist) defines waterproofness using hydrostatic head: the height of a water column the fabric can resist. Ratings of 10,000 mm and above are considered high-performance for prolonged heavy rain, but even those jackets require maintenance.

What is the most waterproof material for a rain jacket?

The most waterproof material is a membrane combination — typically expanded PTFE (ePTFE) or polyurethane laminate — sealed with fully taped seams. Regatta (UK outdoor brand, Ireland market) says its Isotex range starts at 5,000 mm hydrostatic head and goes up to 20,000 mm for the highest protection. Snow+Rock rates 20,000 mm plus as very high protection for prolonged exposure, heavy rain, and high-pressure conditions.

Who makes the best lightweight waterproof jacket?

Lightweight models typically trade durability for packability and comfort. Cotswold Outdoor Ireland (outdoor retailer) suggests that a basic waterproof jacket with 5,000 to 10,000 mm hydrostatic head and 5,000 to 10,000 g/m²/24h breathability works for everyday use in mild climates. Brands like Columbia (OutDry, Omni-Tech), The North Face (Futurelight), and Regatta (Isotex) all produce lightweight options that compete with GORE-TEX in packability.

What is the best waterproof jacket for Ireland?

Ireland sees about 150 rainy days per year, according to Irish Central (Irish diaspora news site). The combination of frequent showers, wind, and moderate temperatures makes hood design, breathability, and cut especially important. Great Outdoors recommends fully taped seams and a hood with a brim to keep rain off your face. The Outdoor Shop (Irish retailer) rates 5,000 mm as very waterproof and suitable for moderate to heavy rain, while ScopePress.uk (Ireland rain-jacket guide) states that 10,000 mm is the practical baseline for Irish downpours and 20,000 mm handles sustained heavy rain.

Men’s waterproof jackets

Many Irish men’s jackets from Regatta, Trespass, and Columbia offer 10,000 mm ratings with taped seams. Regatta’s Isotex range covers the full spectrum from 5,000 to 20,000 mm. Look for a slightly longer back hem to keep your lower back dry during commutes.

Women’s waterproof jackets

Women’s jackets often have a more tailored fit and shorter sleeves. Cotswold Outdoor Ireland stocks models from The North Face and Columbia that include women-specific sizing. The same hydrostatic head and breathability guidelines apply: 10,000 mm is a good target for Irish conditions.

Waterproof jackets with hoods

A hood with a stiff brim and a drawcord is essential for Irish wind-driven rain. Great Outdoors advises that the hood should be helmet-compatible if you cycle, but for everyday use a simple fitted hood works. Avoid hoods that are too large — they catch wind and let rain in.

Is anything better than GORE-TEX?

GORE-TEX is a membrane brand, not a single fabric. Its performance depends on the laminate layers around it. Snow+Rock explains that “better” means better for a specific use: packability, breathability, price, sustainability, or wet-weather durability. Alternatives include ePTFE-based membranes, polyurethane laminates, and proprietary systems like Futurelight (The North Face’s proprietary system), OutDry (Columbia), and Omni-Tech (Columbia).

What waterproof material is similar to GORE-TEX?

Materials that work similarly to GORE-TEX use a microporous membrane that blocks liquid water while allowing water vapor to escape. Polyurethane (PU) laminates are common in budget jackets, while ePTFE membranes (like GORE-TEX itself) are more breathable. Atire notes that 10,000 to 20,000 mm and above is high-performance — the same threshold used by GORE-TEX. The key difference is how the membrane is bonded to the face fabric and how well the DWR holds up.

What is replacing GORE-TEX?

GORE-TEX has not been discontinued, and W. L. Gore & Associates continues to produce and license the technology. However, competition is growing. The North Face uses GORE-TEX in some jackets and its own Futurelight membrane in others. Columbia’s OutDry and Omni-Tech offer alternatives at lower price points. No single technology has fully replaced GORE-TEX across the market — instead, the market now has multiple strong options.

Is GORE-TEX going to be discontinued?

No public announcement from W. L. Gore & Associates says GORE-TEX is being discontinued. The brand remains active in outdoor, military, and medical applications. Claims of discontinuation appear to be speculation based on the rise of alternatives, not confirmed by the company.

Does North Face still use GORE-TEX?

Yes, The North Face still uses GORE-TEX in some of its waterproof jackets, alongside its proprietary Futurelight membrane. The company offers both technologies, allowing customers to choose based on price, weight, and performance preference.

What are the downsides of GORE-TEX?

Why is my GORE-TEX jacket no longer waterproof?

When your jacket stops beading water, it’s usually the DWR, not the membrane, that has failed. DWR wears off with dirt, washing, and friction, causing the outer face fabric to wet out. Washing with fabric softener or harsh detergents can reduce water repellency and breathability, according to Snow+Rock. Here’s how to restore it:

1. Wash the jacket with a liquid detergent (no fabric softener) on a gentle cycle.
2. Rinse thoroughly and either heat-reactivate the existing DWR by tumble drying on low or ironing on a low setting, or apply a new DWR treatment (spray-on or wash-in).
3. Check the seam tape and zippers — if they are damaged, repair them rather than replacing the jacket.

Great Outdoors confirms that heat reactivation or reapplication of a DWR treatment restores water beading. Damaged seam tape and leaking zippers require repair, not a new DWR treatment.

Timeline: The evolution of waterproof membranes

The pattern: each new membrane system adds competition, but the core technology — ePTFE — remains the benchmark.

• 1969 — Bob Gore discovers expanded PTFE (ePTFE), the membrane technology later used in GORE-TEX. (W. L. Gore & Associates)
• 1976 — GORE-TEX fabric enters the outdoor apparel market.
• 2019 — The North Face launches Futurelight, a proprietary waterproof/breathable system now used alongside GORE-TEX.
• Ongoing — W. L. Gore continues to produce and license GORE-TEX; no discontinuation has been announced.

The implication: each new membrane system adds competition, but the core technology — ePTFE — remains the benchmark. The next shift may come from PFAS-free membranes and recycled materials.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• GORE-TEX is a membrane brand from W. L. Gore & Associates, made with expanded PTFE. (W. L. Gore & Associates)
• DWR finishes wear off and can be renewed. (Snow+Rock)
• The North Face uses GORE-TEX in some jackets and its own Futurelight membrane in others. (Cotswold Outdoor Ireland)
• No public announcement from W. L. Gore says GORE-TEX is being discontinued.

What’s unclear

• Whether any one membrane is objectively better than GORE-TEX depends on use, price, and maintenance.
• The exact future role of GORE-TEX in the industry is not publicly quantified.
• A given jacket’s lifespan depends on its seams, zippers, face fabric, and care, not just the membrane.

Quotes from the industry

“The ePTFE membrane contains about 9 billion pores per square inch, each pore 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet but 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule.”

— W. L. Gore & Associates technical materials

“Futurelight is a proprietary waterproof/breathable system that uses nanospun technology to create a membrane with high breathability without sacrificing waterproofness.”

— The North Face product documentation

“OutDry and Omni-Tech are Columbia’s alternatives; OutDry bonds the membrane directly to the outer fabric to eliminate DWR dependency.”

— Columbia Sportswear product copy

“For Irish weather, a hood with a brim and fully taped seams are non-negotiable.”

— Irish retailer category descriptions

Summary

Waterproof jackets are a system, not a single technology. The membrane — whether GORE-TEX, Futurelight, or OutDry — is just one part. Fully taped seams, water-resistant zippers, and a well-maintained DWR finish determine whether you stay dry in Irish rain. The best jacket for you depends on how you use it: daily commuting, hill walking, or occasional showers. For the Irish buyer, the choice is clear: look for a jacket with at least 10,000 mm hydrostatic head, fully taped seams, and a hood with a brim, and learn to care for the DWR. Or accept that a jacket without maintenance will eventually let water in.

Frequently asked questions