DryVent™ vs Gore-Tex® Technology: Which One is Better?

DryVent vs Gore-Tex Technology: Which One is Better?

Welcome back to a comparison review! In this one, as you saw in the title, we will not be looking at two jackets versus each other, but instead, we will be focusing on fabric technologies.

Gore-Tex® and DryVent™ are two of the most popular fabrics used in modern outdoor apparel, especially jackets. They come with many specifics and features that have given them their well-deserved reputation, as we will see in this review.

The reason why we chose to do a comparison between two fabrics rather than jackets that might have either of these as part of their material, is because both of them come up quite often in our reviews and especially in our selections.

Because of that, we thought it would be best to have a separate piece for them both, so you will not only have a better understanding of what they are best for but also know how they compare to each other.

Besides, they are also the two most used fabrics in The North Face‘s jackets, a brand that we have reviewed extensively before.

Once again, we will be following the usual structure of looking at each separately and then comparing their different aspects and features to see how they fare. With that being said, let’s get started right away with Gore-Tex.

Contents:

1. Gore-Tex® Technology

Gore-Tex® as a brand name came to be in the 1970s, by W. L. Gore & Associates, the company established in 1959 by Wilbert L. and Genevieve Gore.

Their son, about a decade later, created ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene), a strong and microporous material that had many characteristics, the most important one being its weathering properties and low water adsorption.

Read also: Gore-Tex® vs Columbia Omni-Tech™: Which One is Better?

The ePTFE is then patented under the company’s name and found use in numerous areas, including outdoor clothing, which is what brings us to today’s topic.

Gore-Tex Logo
Image: Gore-Tex logo

We refer to Gore-Tex® as being a fabric, but what exactly sets it apart from any other regular fabric? Well, for starters it can be considered as a combination of three important elements:

  • membrane,
  • laminate,
  • technology.

Gore-Tex Threefold Nature Illustration

It is a thin membrane made of ePTFE, with more than 9 billion pores per square inch. It is a laminate because it is bonded between two fabric layers, the outer textiles and the lining, and it is a fabric technology because each product has specific features that fulfill different needs and requirements.

What is GORE-TEX Product Technology

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This combination is exactly where it gets its characteristics, which are:

Waterproof

Gore-Tex® is fully waterproof, no other way about it. Not only is it waterproof, but it is also water repellent and able to maintain this ability for its entire lifetime, being one of the very few fabrics that can manage to do so.

You might also like:
Gore-Tex vs Dermizax Fabric Technology: Which is Better?
Best Gore-Tex Alternatives: 5 Fabrics and Jackets Reviewed

GORE-TEX Products Test #1: Waterproofness

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Windproof

Gore-Tex® is windproof to the point of exceeding the required standard of 1.0 cfm rating of air permeability.

GORE-TEX Products Test #2: Windproofness

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Breathable

A common issue among fully waterproof fabrics is their lack of breathability, which leads to overheating. Having over 9 billion pores per square inch, it allows your sweat to escape from the inside of the jacket, leaving you dry and maintaining a stable body temperature.

GORE-TEX Products Test #3: Breathability

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2. DryVent™ Technology

DryVent™ fabric is developed by The North Face and it is their highest performing fabric technology. The North Face is an American brand of outdoor clothing, which focuses mainly on the performance of its products.

Further reading: DryVent vs HyVent: What’s the difference?

The material used is PU (polyurethane). DryVent™ is a fabric that, just like Gore-Tex® is:

Waterproof

As a membrane, DryVent is fully waterproof and also treated with a DWR finish in order to not only prevent water from getting through but causing it to fall off the jacket entirely by forming small beads that minimize contact time.

Windproof

Set up in several layers, DryVent is capable of blocking winds entirely.

Breathable

DryVent is also very breathable, allowing perspiration to leave the body in the form of moisture vapors, thus preventing overheating and excessive dampness inside the jacket.

You might also like: 8 Best DryVent Jackets: The North Face and Timberland

3. Comparison: DryVent™ vs. Gore Tex®

Now that you got the gist of what each fabric consists of and their general qualities, it’s time to look at how they compare to each other when it comes to different features and ultimately, which one is better.

Waterproof Rating

The waterproof rating of a fabric is its water column measurement, meaning at what level the fabric starts to leak water through. The higher the rating, the better can a fabric withstand weather conditions.

Gore-Tex, being a fully waterproof membrane that withstands time has a water column of over 28.000mm, which means that is suitable for the harshest of rains and snow blizzards.

On the other hand, DryVent‘s rating is around 15.000mm, which also means that this is a fully waterproof membrane, just like Gore-Tex. They also have been treated with DWR finish, so they are water-repellent on top of being waterproof.

waterproof fabric
Image: Waterproof fabric

Don’t miss: Patagonia H2No vs Gore-Tex Technology: Which is Better?

Breathability

We already mentioned both fabrics being windproof, so there isn’t much to elaborate on that. However, what’s most important besides them being waterproof, is their breathability, and Gore-Tex surpasses DryVent without a doubt.

With a breathability rating of more than 15.000 (G/M2/24h), Gore-Tex wicks moisture away without faltering. DryVent measures at about 12-15.000 (G/M2/24h), which falls under the medium level.

Both of them are suitable for outdoor adventures but Gore-Tex performs considerably better with extensive physical activity.

Material

Here the difference is also important, as Gore-Tex is made of ePTFE, which is sturdier and a bit heavier than DryVent, which is made of PU.

The main difference though is in how the material performs when worn. ePTFE is stiff and may sometimes be hard to move in, while PU is very flexible and stretchy. For this reason, DryVent can be considered more comfortable to wear, especially for athletes.

Read also: Pertex vs Gore-Tex Technology: Which is Better?

Durability

Here is where things really get settled between the two. Gore-Tex will last for a very long time, because ePTFE is a highly durable material that does not mind wear and does not give in to the weather and environmental conditions no matter what.

It is resistant to abrasion and able to keep stains away for the most part.

DryVent has a lower resistance to wear and tear due to PU being less sturdier and more prone to change with time, losing some of its durability and in time, performance, especially in humid and hot conditions.

DryVent vs Gore-Tex Performance Levels Table Illustration

Construction and Options

They both come in several options due to custom requirements, which gives each option specific qualities for different activities.

Gore-Tex® includes:

  • Paclite – Lighter and suitable for casual, everyday wear.
  • Pro – Durable and highly breathable, suitable for activities such as hiking.
  • Active – Lightweight, highly waterproof, suitable for intense sports.
  • Pro Shell – Waterproof, windproof, and breathable, found in shoes, and gloves, and highly resistant to abrasion and tear.

DryVent™ includes:

  • 2L – Two layers, breathable and very durable, suitable for most outdoor activities.
  • 2.5L – Lightweight and finished with dry touch, waterproof and highly breathable, suitable for challenging activities.
  • 3L – Three layers, high performance, and suitable for extreme outdoor sports and activities.

Don’t miss: Helly Tech vs Gore-Tex Technology: Which is Better?

Which One Is Better?

waterproof jacket fabric and zipper
Image: Waterproof jacket fabric

All factors considered, the answer is an astounding “It depends”. We know, it doesn’t really settle the matter but it is the honest answer.

They both perform at different levels in different areas. While Gore-Tex is highly breathable and very durable, it is not as flexible and light as DryVent, so it once again comes down to what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend.

If what you want is a jacket that performs at its best each time and will last for a very long time, then Gore-Tex might be worth the price tag.

But if you are looking for something more economical and high-performance, but are willing to compromise on longevity and a little bit on breathability, then opt for jackets that are made of DryVent fabric.

– – – –

Read next: Gore-Tex vs Sympatex Fabric Technology: Which is Better?

Sources:
https://www.gore-tex.com/technology/what-is-gore-tex
https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/about-us/technology-innovation/technology/dryvent
https://www.paddypallin.com.au/blog/all-about-waterproof-fabrics/

7 Comments

  1. Good article, really helpful as I was trying to choose between a Berghaus Gortex and a North Face dryvent. Think I am going to stick to my intial feeling and go with the Gortex. Thank you

  2. Are the above materials likely to get ruined ( stop being waterproof) if washed on 60 C by mistake?

  3. Your topic is very valuable, I asked shoes saler about dryvent versus gore-tex. He doesn’t know how to explain to me.
    Not only Hot weather is a big problem in my country, but also the moisture from rainy season too.
    Thank you agains,
    Attapol Thailand

  4. I walked an hour through the drizzle and Dryvent jacket is letting water through, the insides of my sleeves are literally wet. This shouldn’t be called “fully waterproof”.

    I wouldn’t recommend dryvent to anyone wanting do a hike >60 minutes. For short activity and snow it should probably suffice.

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