At MILIPOL 2025, the GORE-TEX ® Brand will present the new PYRAD® Product Technology by GORE-TEX LABS® for flame retardant combat suits in Hall 5 at stand E112.

Conventional flame-retardant textiles often pose a dilemma: They protect reliably against heat and flames, but are heavy, stiff and hardly breathable. For soldiers, this means additional stress – and in extreme cases, heat stress, limited freedom of movement and faster fatigue. The new generation of PYRAD® Product Technology by GORE-TEX LABS® solves this conflict: It offers protection in the event of sudden flames. With very low weight, high air permeability and stretch content for a cooler and more comfortable feel, it’s effective even under heavy equipment.

Access for worldwide ready-to-use combat suits 

Using new technology, the GORE-TEX® Brand expands the temperature and application spectrum of membrane-free laminates with PYRAD® Product Technology by GORE-TEX LABS®. It is efficient from the Arctic to the Indo-Pacific.

"The combination of these technologies enables modular, flame-retardant combat variants for ground forces, Air Force and Navy, covering all climate zones and application profiles worldwide," explains Andreas Marmsoler, Strategic Defence Marketing at the GORE-TEX® Band. "The new product range allows very light, stretchable laminates to be combined with more robust variants. For example, light materials can be used in less stressed areas such as breast or legs and more resistant laminates in heavily stressed areas such as shoulders, elbows or knees.”

Maximum safety – proven in the field

Practical field tests in collaboration with special units and naval personnel in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Pacific demonstrate the high functionality of the new technology. The combat suits do not show any performance degradation, or disturbing noise during movement. They maintain their protective effect even with exposure to plate carriers, thorns, brambles or abrasive surfaces. For comfort in medium to high activity in hot climates they are particularly effective compared to the limitations of conventional materials. Many users consider the lower fatigue effect and increased readiness for use as crucial.

High-performance materials for practical use

PYRAD® Product Technology is based on a physical effect: It consists of countless small reactive graphite particles, which are uniformly incorporated into the tissue. If the particles are heated by a sudden flame, they react immediately to a stable continuous carbon layer, effectively preventing the heat flow through the laminate and stopping the flame spread.

Developed as a laminate for combat suits, the new PYRAD® Product Technology by GORE-TEX LABS® is tested to international standards:

·       Protection against heat and sudden flames according to index 3 ISO 14116 according to test acc. ISO 15025-a, Manikin Thermal Test: Pyroman 3s ISO 13506

·       Light weight (< 185 gsm) for greater mobility during use

·       High air permeability (> 200 l/m2/sec) ensures effective moisture management and reduces heat stress (EN ISO 9237)

·       Stretch fabric allows unrestricted freedom of movement, even when wearing the equipment due to stretch ≥ 12% in the warp or weft direction (EN ISO 20932-1:2020 + A1:2021 method A.  
para. 11)

·       Thanks to the fast-drying capability, it is immediately ready for use again even after contact with water

·       High durability: Function remains stable even after 20 wash cycles, excellent colour fastness under UV and seawater conditions; resistant to pilling and abrasion in harsh environments

·       Abrasion resistance (≥ 80.000 cycles per EN ISO 12947-2)

·       LIGHT FASTNESS ≥6 (EN ISO 105-B02)

About Gore

Gore revolutionised the garment industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance clothing. Gore's products offer comfort and protection in demanding environments and everyday life, so the wearer can safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in pouring rain to defence and firefighting, Gore's deep understanding of the needs of consumers and industry is driving the development of products with significant performance benefits. gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958 Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments - from space to the highest peaks in the world to the inner life of the human body. With more than 13.000 employees and a strong team-orientated corporate culture, Gore generates annual sales of 5 billion US dollars. www.gore.com

For the launch of the GORE-TEX Stretch product technology for defence use, I took part in a product field test with my defence team colleagues in the Swiss Alps. The programme included two nights in a mountain hut in the canton of Schwyz, climbing up and abseiling down a steep cliff, and exploring the Hölloch cave in the Muotatal.

I have only been a marketing associate with Gore for three months and this was my first team building activity, so it was a real baptism of fire for me!

We arrived at the hut on Wednesday around noon: a lovely six-bedroom wooden chalet in the middle of the mountains, with a modern kitchen, a wood-burning stove, and a well-stocked pantry for the occasion. Each bedroom had room for between two to four people or five at a squeeze. The chalet was completely self-sufficient in energy and the electricity was produced by a water turbine, which was enough to light us and charge the phones. However, we had to compromise on cold water showers. On the first day, we took our bearings, the programme was presented to us, and the household chores were divided: one team for the kitchen, another for the dishes, and a few early birds to prepare breakfast. It was also an opportunity to get to know my new colleagues, who had come from all over Europe, and even from Korea.

Although I must admit that living in a refuge and sharing rooms was already a new experience for me and slightly outside my comfort zone, the real adventure took place on the second day. Up early after a fairly short night for most of us, we were at the foot of a cliff by 8am equipped with ropes, carabiners, helmets and harnesses. We were kitted out with GORE-TEX Stretch jackets and rain trousers. I'd like to explain here the ease with which I climbed up and then rappelled down the cliff in my new clothes. Unfortunately, my fear of heights overcame my sense of adventure, and I preferred to join a small group of cautious colleagues and admired the more adventurous of the group from a café opposite the cliff. We did a walk in the mountains before reaching the café and were able to experience the quality of the clothing which were very lightweight, easy to walk in due to the stretch material and protected us from the wind. The feedback from the climbing team was unanimous: excellent comfort and freedom of movement when climbing and descending. The clothes are also very breathable which prevented us from getting too hot during the effort.

We spent the afternoon at Hölloch, a 200 km long and 1033 metres deep cave. Cave exploration was also a first for me, but it was a great experience which I was happy to share with my colleagues. We climbed, walked in the sand, climbed steps, slid down rocks on our bums and the protective clothing proved to be indispensable. I would like to thank our expert guide Pesche for his explanations on the discovery of the cave by a farmer in the last century. He also explained how the circulation of air works between the cave and the outside, the fact that the potential risk of the cave flooding depends on temperature and the formation of the different types of rock and the typology of the place. Pesche had even thought to bring a small stove and some broth to warm us up.

Despite some concerns before the event, I have good memories of this team building. I was very happy to meet my colleagues, all of whom were very friendly and warm, and attentive to each other when one of us was in difficulty. The GORE-TEX Stretch garments are fit for purpose: we put them to the test, and they came out without a hitch, like brand new. They were comfortable and lightweight, gave us a lot of freedom of movement, and kept us dry without sweating. Whilst this probably felt like a leisurely walk for some of my teammates who are used to spending nights in the snow and climbing more impressive peaks, it was a real adventure for me and I'm so glad I had the chance to participate. And I thoroughly enjoyed the hot shower when I got home.

Military missions can be rough. Soldiers must run, climb, crawl, or operate weapons in any weather and often with limited space. They must be able to rely on their equipment, including their clothing. Gore research found that lower thermal burden and greater freedom of movement are two of the top user requirements. So far, however, these where barely compatible with other key demands, such as maximum protection and durability.

Traditionally, a three-layer GORE-TEX product technology has delivered reliable protection from any weather and has provided resistance to contamination. Conventional stretch textiles, on the other hand, do give a lot of mobility and comfort, but they are too heavy and not as durable as they could be. They also tend to have high water pick-up.

Opposite to conventional stretch fabrics, where elastic components are placed in the face fabric, the new GORE-TEX stretch product technology, uses a completely different approach: elastic components are placed between a stretch PTFE membrane and robust polyamide face fabrics. The result is that the stretchability of up to 20% allows garment designs with a more tailored fit. Tighter fitting leads to reduced air gaps between the body and the outer shell and thus increased breathability by up to 25% as compared to current GORE-TEX rain suits.

“Our new stretch rain suit for use in defence is the first on the market to successfully deliver a unique and high-performance laminate combining the best of both textiles. Durable waterproofness and high breathability paired with more freedom of movement and a reduced thermal burden” says Oliver Opitz, Product Specialist for Defence at Gore. “Members of defence forces benefit from soft, elastic and noise-reduced clothing, while the new close fit of the fabric offers less restrictions in movement, and the high flexibility of the stretch material leads to reduced air gaps, which is why it allows a close fit for the combat clothing”.

Temperature compensation

No matter how long or intense the mission, the GORE-TEX stretch rain adapts quickly to all movements of the soldier. Besides the significant improvement in temperature compensation, the design allows for great comfort and easy combination with other ballistic protection without limiting mobility. Gore’s unique combination of innovative material technologies, modern, adaptive design, and focus on end-user needs has produced a new generation of clothing for defence forces that offers durable protection and comfort in extreme weather situations.

“With GORE-TEX Stretch rain suit, we are proud to offer soldiers a great wearing-experience,” says Oliver Opitz.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. https://www.goretexprofessional.com/uk

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W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) has announced the launch of the first GORE-TEX stretch fabric technology for application in defence rain suits. The new product technology is a successful combination of a durable hardshell fabric with highly breathable stretch components. This technological breakthrough reduces thermal burden for the soldier and gives at the same time, maximum freedom of movement. Watch the video to learn more about GORE-TEX stretch fabric technology English or French