Gore-Tex vs. Arc'teryx: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

The primary difference is that Gore-Tex is not an apparel brand but a specialized fabric technology that offers waterproof and breathable performance, which it sells to other companies. Arc'teryx is a premium outerwear brand that uses Gore-Tex materials - often in their most advanced forms - and combines them with its own obsessive design, high-end construction, and minimalist style, resulting in a significantly higher price.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right gear for your needs.

Gore-Tex: The Premier Waterproof Fabric Technology

Gore-Tex is the industry gold standard for waterproof, windproof, and breathable membranes. It's not a clothing company, it's a technology company that creates high-performance fabrics used by hundreds of well-known outdoor brands. When you buy a "Gore-Tex jacket," you're buying a jacket from a brand like Patagonia, The North Face, or Arc'teryx that incorporates Gore-Tex fabric into its design.

• Product mix: Gore-Tex technology is found in thousands of products, including rain jackets, ski pants, hiking boots, gloves, and even hats. Its various fabric types (Gore-Tex Pro, Paclite, Active) are tailored for different activities, from intense alpine climbing to everyday rain protection.
• Price point: The price of products using Gore-Tex varies widely depending on the brand and the fabric tier. You can find jackets with basic Gore-Tex lining for around $200, while top-tier Gore-Tex Pro jackets from premium brands can easily cost $600-$900.
• Quality: The Gore-Tex membrane itself has an extremely high and consistent level of quality, with a waterproofness rating of 28,000mm or higher. The overall product quality and durability, however, depend on the manufacturing brand's construction, face fabrics, seam-taping, and zippers.
• Technology: Its core technology is a membrane made of expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with billions of microscopic pores. These pores are too small for water droplets to penetrate from the outside but large enough for sweat vapor to escape from the inside, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing depends entirely on the apparel or footwear brand using the fabric. A Gore-Tex jacket from Arc'teryx will fit differently than one from Mammut or Norrona. Always check the specific brand's size chart.

Gore-Tex is a component that guarantees best-in-class waterproof performance, but the final gear's quality, fit, and style are determined by the brand that makes it.

Explore Gore-Tex Technology: gore-tex.com

Arc'teryx: The Pinnacle of Performance Outerwear

Founded in the Canadian climbing scene, Arc'teryx is an obsessively engineered apparel and equipment brand known for its uncompromising quality, minimalist design, and premium price. The brand targets serious outdoor athletes and discerning users who demand the absolute best in durability, fit, and function. They are one of the primary partners of Gore-Tex, often getting first access to new fabric innovations like GORE-TEX Pro Most Rugged.

• Product mix: Arc'teryx specializes in technical-hardshell and insulated jackets for climbing, skiing, and mountaineering. Their product line also includes high-performance base layers, pants, backpacks, and urban-focused pieces through their "Veilance" sub-brand.
• Price point: Arc'teryx products represent the high end of the market. Its popular Beta LTs start around $450, while the flagship Alpha SV jacket (designed for severe alpine conditions) retails for over $800.
• Quality: Construction is where Arc'teryx stands out. Features like tiny, precise micro-seams, masterful pattern-making for articulation, and highly durable face fabrics are standard. They pair Gore-Tex's best membranes with their legendary build quality.
• Sizing/Fit: Most Arc'teryx jackets offer an athletic, trim fit designed to reduce bulk and optimize movement while allowing for light layering. Sizing is very consistent across their product lines, and they provide detailed fit guides for "Trim," "Regular," and "Relaxed" styles.
• Return policy: Arc'teryx offers returns on unworn items within 30 days of purchase. More importantly, their gear is covered by a limited warranty against manufacturing defects for the practical lifetime of the product.

Arc'teryx isn't just a brand that uses Gore-Tex, they elevate it with superior design, fit, and construction for the most demanding users.

Shop Arc'teryx: arcteryx.com

Gore-Tex vs. Arc'teryx Comparison

Price Comparison

You can't directly compare prices because Gore-Tex is a raw material and Arc'teryx is a finished product. The more useful comparison is between an Arc'teryx product using Gore-Tex and a product from another brand using the same level of Gore-Tex.

Consistently, Arc'teryx is more expensive. For example, a men's all-around shell jacket with GORE-TEX Pro from Arc'teryx might start at $600, whereas a similar jacket from Patagonia or Outdoor Research could cost between $450 and $550. This "Arc'teryx tax" price premium pays for their advanced design, anatomical fit, meticulous seam work, and brand reputation.

Quality & Materials

This is a comparison of good vs. best. The Gore-Tex membrane ensures a high baseline of waterproof and breathable performance regardless of the manufacturer. Any product that has the official Gore-Tex tag has passed rigorous testing to ensure it meets their standards for waterproofing.

However, Arc'teryx takes this a step further. They combine the Gore-Tex membrane with high-denier face fabrics for extreme durability, use narrower seam tape for better breathability and less weight, and engineer articulated patterns that allow for a complete range of motion without the jacket riding up. While a Gore-Tex jacket from any reputable brand will be high quality, an Arc'teryx jacket is often considered superior due to its exceptionally detailed construction.

Style & Aesthetic

Gore-Tex itself has no aesthetic, the look depends entirely on the brand putting it together. Brands like Helly Hansen or Burton might use bold colors and looser fits for skiing, while city-focused brands go for a more muted, traditional look.

Arc'teryx is famous for its clean, technical, and minimalist aesthetic. They use sleek lines, subtle single-color designs, and have a unique, precise fit. This approach has also given their jackets significant crossover appeal in streetwear and urban fashion ("gorpcore"), making them status symbols both on and off the mountain.

Fit & Sizing

With Gore-Tex, fit varies from brand to brand. Outdoor Research might offer a more relaxed fit, while European brands like Salomon tend to be much slimmer. You might be a size large in one brand and a medium in another.

Arc'teryx sizing is notoriously consistent and athletic. A "Trim Fit" jacket will be very close to the body, designed to layer over only a base layer and a light mid-layer. Their "Regular Fit" offers a bit more room but is still more tailored than most other outdoor brands. You can reliably buy the same size across their entire line.

Shopping Experience

You find Gore-Tex gear anywhere outdoor products are sold, from big-box retailers like REI to small independent shops and thousands of websites. Your shopping experience is with the retailer or the specific apparel brand you're buying from.

Arc'teryx operates its own website and has branded physical stores that offer an exclusive, premium experience. Their products are also sold in high-end outdoor specialty stores. They are known for excellent customer service, product education, and a great warranty and repair program that is designed to keep their expensive gear in use for many years.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between them is about deciding what level of performance, refinement, and budget you're comfortable with.

Choose Gore-Tex merchandise (from any number of brands) if:

• You want reliable, proven waterproof technology without paying a top-tier premium.
• You have brand loyalty to another great company like Patagonia, Mammut, or The North Face.
• You want a wider choice of styles, colors, and fits beyond the specific aesthetic Arc'teryx offers.
• Your budget is in the $200 - $500 range for a new piece of outerwear.

Choose Arc'teryx if:

• You have a budget for high-end gear and demand the absolute best in construction quality and durability.
• An athletic, articulated fit that moves with your body is your top priority.
• You appreciate a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that works for both technical mountaineering and walking around the city.
• You are making a long-term investment and plan to use the company's repair services to extend the gear's life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arc'teryx always made with Gore-Tex?

Not always. While their most famous hardshell jackets like the Alpha, Beta, and Zeta lines use Gore-Tex, Arc'teryx also makes softshells, insulated jackets (like the Atom Hoody), and base layers with their own proprietary or other branded fabrics designed for breathability and weather resistance, not complete waterproofing.

Why is Arc'teryx so much more expensive than other Gore-Tex jackets?

The price difference comes from Arc'teryx's significant investment in research and development, meticulous construction processes (e.g., using 14-16 stitches per inch vs. the industry average of 8-10), extremely high-quality materials beyond just the Gore-Tex membrane, rigorous testing, and lifetime warranty support.

Is Gore-Tex always better than other waterproof fabrics?

Gore-Tex is the market benchmark for durable waterproof-breathable performance, but many brands have developed excellent proprietary alternatives (like Patagonia's H2No or The North Face's Futurelight) that can offer similar or better breathability at a lower cost. However, Gore-Tex Pro remains the top choice for sustained use in severe, abrasive conditions.

Which is more durable: a standard Gore-Tex jacket or an Arc'teryx jacket?

An Arc'teryx hardshell is generally more durable. The Gore-Tex membrane inside is equally durable, but Arc'teryx bonds it to very tough, high-denier face fabrics and protects the seams with precise micro-taping, resulting in a finished product that better withstands repeated abrasion from rock, ice, and pack straps.

Do Arc'teryx jackets run true to size?

Yes, Arc'teryx sizing is very consistent, but their fit is distinctly athletic and trim. If you are comparing their size guide to more relaxed American brands, you may find their 'Regular' fit feels like a 'Slim' fit elsewhere. It is best to check their detailed fit guides on the product page and consider what layers you plan to wear underneath.

Can you buy fabric directly from Gore-Tex?

No, you cannot. Gore-Tex is a B2B company that exclusively sells its patented materials to approved manufacturing partners who have met their quality standards.

Is the investment in an Arc'teryx jacket worth it?

If you're a serious climber, backcountry skier, or outdoor professional who needs gear that will not fail in extreme conditions, the performance and durability dividends are often worth it. For casual hiking or daily rainwear, there are many less expensive Gore-Tex jackets from other brands that will serve you perfectly well.

What does "Guaranteed to Keep You Dry" mean for Gore-Tex?

This is Gore-Tex's brand promise. It means if you are not completely satisfied with the waterproofness, windproofness, or breathability of an authentic piece of Gore-Tex apparel, they will repair it, replace it, or refund your purchase price. This promise is supported by both the apparel brand and W. L. Gore & Associates itself.