The SCAM Outdoor Brands Don't Want You To Know

Summary

This video script exposes the limitations of GORE-TEX jackets, arguing that they are not always waterproof and breathable simultaneously. It discusses the environmental and health concerns related to the use of fluorinated chemicals in GORE-TEX's durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The script introduces an alternative jacket that, like GORE-TEX, uses a breathable membrane but doesn't require DWR to function, and presents tests to demonstrate its effectiveness. It also explains the science behind why breathable jackets struggle in high humidity and the importance of air movement for evaporation, ultimately calling GORE-TEX a scam due to its inability to meet its marketing promises.

Takeaways

• 🧥 The video discusses an advanced rain jacket designed to address issues with modern rainwear, specifically calling out GORE-TEX as a scam.
• 🔬 GORE-TEX was invented by Bob Gore and is made from polyfluorinated chemicals, which are now known to be harmful to the environment and human health.
• 🚫 The script mentions that these 'forever chemicals' have been linked to health issues and were the subject of a lawsuit against DuPont for concealing their dangers.
• 💡 The GORE-TEX fabric is waterproof with a high hydrostatic head rating, but its breathability is dependent on the outer layer not being saturated with water.
• 💧 The breathability of GORE-TEX jackets is compromised when the outer layer absorbs water, preventing vapor from escaping and causing the wearer to feel wet from the inside.
• 🌊 GORE-TEX relies on a durable water repellent (DWR) finish to keep the outer layer dry, but this finish is not permanent and needs to be reapplied, which is a drawback.
• 📜 The GORE-TEX patent expired in 1997, allowing other companies to create similar breathable membranes without the need for DWR treatment.
• 🔬 The video includes a scientific explanation of how atmospheric conditions, particularly humidity, affect the evaporation of sweat and the breathability of jackets.
• 🌡️ The effectiveness of breathable jackets is highly dependent on external humidity levels; they perform best in dry conditions and poorly in high humidity environments.
• 🌬️ Air movement is crucial for evaporation; without it, no sweat can evaporate from the jacket, highlighting the need for ventilation in jackets to improve breathability.
• 💨 The video raises the question of how much air movement is realistically achievable within a jacket designed to block wind, suggesting that pit zips may be necessary for ventilation.
• 🤔 The presenter concludes that GORE-TEX is a scam due to its inability to be both waterproof and breathable simultaneously under certain conditions, challenging the marketing claims of the brand.

Q & A

Who discovered GORE-TEX and in what year?

GORE-TEX was discovered by Bob Gore in 1969.

What is the environmental concern associated with the chemicals used in GORE-TEX?

The chemicals used in GORE-TEX, known as polyfluorinated chemicals or 'forever chemicals', are known to wreak havoc on the environment and the human immune system, and have made it into waterways and even our bloodstreams.

Why did Bob Gore leave DuPont to start GORE-TEX?

Bob Gore discovered that by heating and rapidly stretching the same fluorinated chemicals, a porous membrane could be created that was waterproof yet breathable. He left DuPont to start the GORE-TEX brand and market this discovery.

What is the issue with GORE-TEX's breathability and waterproofness?

While GORE-TEX is waterproof and breathable, it is not always breathable and waterproof at the same time due to the need for a water-repellent finish (DWR) that can fail over time, leading to the jacket getting wet from the inside out.

What is the difference between GORE-TEX and the breathable membrane made by companies like Columbia after the GORE-TEX patent expired?

The main difference is that the alternative membranes do not require the DWR coating to work properly, as they are the membrane itself and are 100% waterproof, which theoretically prevents wetting from the inside.

What was the purpose of the experiment with the tray of water and heating element in the video?

The experiment aimed to simulate the human body in a measurable and repeatable way to test the breathability of the jacket by measuring how much water evaporates over time.

What does the video suggest about the effectiveness of breathable jackets in high humidity conditions?

The video suggests that breathable jackets, including GORE-TEX, do not perform well in high humidity conditions because the air has little to no room to accept more moisture, preventing sweat from evaporating and leaving the jacket.

What role does air movement play in the breathability of jackets according to the video?

Air movement is crucial for evaporation. Without it, there is no evaporation, and the jacket's breathability is compromised. The video suggests that air flow needs to be introduced into the jacket, possibly through ventilation like pit zips.

What is the 'parking lot' analogy used in the video to explain the limitation of breathability in jackets?

The 'parking lot' analogy compares the air's capacity to hold water vapor to an empty or full parking lot. When humidity is low, it's easy for water molecules to 'park' (evaporate), but when humidity is high, the 'parking lot' is full, and no more molecules can park, preventing evaporation.

What is the conclusion of the video regarding GORE-TEX jackets?

The video concludes that GORE-TEX is a scam because, despite being waterproof and breathable, it cannot do both simultaneously due to scientific limitations, especially in high humidity conditions.

What alternative to GORE-TEX does the video recommend for viewers?

The video recommends viewers to watch another video about alternatives to modern rain gear for options other than GORE-TEX.