Gore Celebrates Forty Years in the Market for Innovative Clothing and Shoes
11.08.2016 4003

Gore Celebrates Forty Years in the Market for Innovative Clothing and Shoes

Gore is a market leader in innovative clothing and footwear.

40 years have passed since the first commercial order of WL Gore and Associates, but the company remains the leader in the outerwear market, introducing leading innovations to consumers. Seven years after Bob Gore opened expanded PTFE in a laboratory located in the parent's basement, he received the first commercial order for this product. 40 years have passed since the first success - and now the Gore brand is strongly associated with the market of comfortable outerwear.

Trying to find a way to expand the PTFE coating, Bob Gore unexpectedly developed a product that revolutionized outerwear. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene - rPTFE - simultaneously passed air and did not pass water due to its microporous structure consisting of air at 70%. Today, this material is used in the manufacture of more than a thousand products - from medical devices to guitar strings. 

However, the name GORE-TEX gained wide popularity due to the use of this material in the creation of equipment and clothes for walking and hiking. Very soon, the company became a real market leader and in the 1989 year it even presented a lifetime warranty for all GORE-TEX products under the name GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY: in case of customer dissatisfaction, they were guaranteed a repair, replacement or full refund of the value of the goods. 

Over the past 40 years, the company has been a leader in innovation. At the end of the 90's, GORE-TEX Paclite was introduced, thanks to which the weight of the fabric per 1 sq. M was reduced from 160 g to 100 g. This made it possible to create an ultra-light and very compact functional outerwear. For those who are in very harsh conditions, GORE-TEX Pro was introduced in 2006, and in the following years the company’s most breathable membranes appeared - soft GORE-TEX Active, as well as GORE-TEX Active with Permanent Beading Surface.     

“Bob Gore became acquainted with hiking and outdoor sports in early childhood, so it is not surprising that his material took a leading position in this segment. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about running, cycling, skiing or hiking, Gore invariably proves that it is a market leader in all segments of outdoor activities and continues to develop on the foundation laid by Bob Gore and his family, ”says Christian Langer International Materials Office. 

Gore is a market leader in innovative clothing and footwear. 40 years have passed since the first commercial order of WL Gore and Associates, but the company remains the leader in ...
5
1
Rating

Latest News

Flagship stores have become a key element in promoting fashion brands.

Flagship stores in Russia are becoming a key tool for brand development: 34 stores were opened in 2025, according to the NF report…
10.12.2025 218

Chanel Metiers d'Art 2026 show held in the New York subway

The Chanel Métiers d'Art 2026 show took place in the abandoned Bowery subway station in New York City. "I think it's the only city in the world where all walks of life use the subway, and it's the only place where there's no hierarchy," he explained.
09.12.2025 440

Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags will take place in Riva del Garda from 10th to 13th January

The international footwear, bag, and accessory exhibition Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags will once again take place in Riva del Garda, Italy, from January 10th to 13th, and will showcase the latest footwear and accessories and emerging consumer trends.
09.12.2025 388

St. Petersburg sees rising vacancy rates in street retail

Since the beginning of 2025, the vacancy rate in St. Petersburg's main retail corridors has risen to 7%, an increase of 1,4 percentage points over the year. The increase in vacant space is due to a decline in consumer activity and more selective behavior…
08.12.2025 538

A Birkin bag sold for almost €2,5 million in Abu Dhabi.

"Le Birkin Voyageur" ​​- one of Jane Birkin's Hermès Birkin bags, named "The Voyager" - was sold for €2,45 ​​million (including fees) at auction in Abu Dhabi on Friday, months after…
08.12.2025 581
When you sign up, you will receive weekly news and articles about the shoe business on your e-mail.

To the beginning