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Comment by kmlx | Hacker News Reader

i don’t get something: why DWR and not proper waterproofing?

DWR helps keep the garment's face fabric dry, which makes it feel lighter and warmer. This is in addition to a fully waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex that sits behind the face fabric.

DWR is also sometimes used by itself on some fabrics when the manufacturer wants higher breathability than you can get with a membrane, but still want a bit of weather resistance. A popular example from Patagonia would be the Houdini Jacket.

Breathability

gore-tex already solved this.

With PTFE. I'm not sure what the vague term "forever chemical" covers but PTFE is a perfluorinated alkane and is pretty "forever"ish.

Gore-tex is the same as other breathable water-resistant fabrics. They uses DWR, a form of PTFE, but sounds like switching to something better.

The difference with original 3-layer Gore-Tex is that membrane is protected so lasts longer.

Gore-tex only works if also coupled with PFAS DWR coatings on the outside. Otherwise the “pores” are clogged with a sheet of water, and cannot breathe.

You need DWR because if your jacket gets soaked on the outside, your sweat will no longer evaporate through the jacket.

This is the proper answer: when water soaks the outer (non-GoreTex) layer, it doesn't breath anymore. One of GoreTex's fixes for that was to introduce jackets that don't have the outer (or inner) layer(s). It's just one big sheet of GoreTex "laminate" without being laminated to anything. "GoreTex Shakedry" is the search phrase you want, though they don't make the jackets anymore (because aforementioned "forever chemicals").

It's unfortunate, too, because the Shakedry jackets are what Gore has been promising for 50 years: waterproof yet breathable. I have one, and I am going to be very sad when it gets retired. Packs small, completely waterproof (I've used for 50 mile running races and stayed bone dry), yet breathable so you don't stew in your own juices (see "50 mile race" above).

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