Inside Outdoor Fall 2017

Today, the GORE Military Fabrics portfolio includes a vast number of products. After the Falklands War, for example, Gore began developing the first generation ECWCS (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) and from there has developed dozens of other new ePTFE-based technologies. Since then, GORE-TEX fabric and ECWCS have gone through many development iterations. Engineered for rain, high wind and extreme cold conditions, today’s light- weight Gen III ECWCS Level 6 jacket and trouser offer comfort in a broad range of weather conditions. The durably waterproof, windproof and breathable GORE-TEX fabric allows moisture vapor to escape from a garment, so clothing stays drier. In- creased breathability provides comfort that further enhances operational ef- fectiveness. The ECWCS III garments are also extremely packable, which al- lows soldiers to react to changing field conditions quickly. GORE-TEX fabric maintains protec- tion even after exposure to JP-8, DEET, petroleum, oils and lubricants. The jacket and trouser also include n-IR signature reduction technology that is durable for the life of the product. The current ECWCS is the product of years of continued research and development by the textile scientists at Gore. These and other performance- related innovations are possible thanks to Gore’s deep investment in textile science R&D over the years. Since the first GORE-Tex patent, dozens of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Hilton of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, marches through fire while conducting fire phobia training during a Kosovo Force mission rehearsal exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 16, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva.) Inside Outdoor | FALL 2017 22