Material guide – WINDSTOPPER®

Windstopper® was produced by W.L. Gore & Associates, who were also the inventors of the famous GoreTex® products. Windstopper® from Gore is a special, functional membrane, which can be laminated between a lining fabric and outer fabric, depending on the intended use. In doing so, the membrane ensures that no wind penetrates through the laminate, while still guaranteeing high breathability. This results in laminates that are not only completely windproof, but also breathable and water-repellent. These properties mean the material can be specially tailored for use in various fields (primarily in the outdoor clothing sector). Windstopper® laminate is primarily used in clothing and accessories (jackets, fleeces, trousers, hats, gloves, caps).

The Windstopper® laminate has a similar structure to the GoreTex® laminate. It consists of three layers with an ePTFE membrane as a core (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene). This special membrane has lots of little pores (1.4 billion pores in a square centimetre). These pores are so tiny that wind and water cannot pass through them, but they are still permeable to water vapour so that sweat and moisture can be quickly released to the outside of the garment. This makes the fabric completely windproof and water-repellent while still being very breathable. This modern membrane forms the basis for various laminates such as:

Windstopper Active Shell®:

particularly lightweight, completely windproof and water-resistant with a high level of breathability, which makes it perfect for garments used in high intensity sports such as trail running, jogging or cycling. Products with Windstopper Active Shell® are suitable for almost any weather conditions, even for strong winds and light rain and snowfall.

Windstopper Soft Shell®:

the classic Windstopper® variant. It provides a good blend of windproofing, breathability and mobility, making it ideal for virtually any type of sport and weather.

Windstopper Technical Fleece®:

combines the positive properties of the Windstopper® with those of a fleece. This makes the fleece completely windproof and breathable, while also being cuddly, warm and protective against cooling. This laminate can be used both as an outer layer and as an intermediate layer. Due to its warming properties and wearing comfort, these products are very well-suited to winter sports and can also be worn in heavy snowfall and low temperatures.

Winstopper Insulated Shell®:

has an additional, fourth layer. This additional layer forms synthetic fibre insulation that is lightweight and breathable. This makes it the warmest of all the Windstopper® laminates, while also being windproof and water-repellent. Products with Windstopper Insulated Shell® provide reliable protection against cooling in low temperatures and are very well-suited for winter sports.

Wash with care

Always consult the specific care instructions of the product when dealing with clothing and accessories from the wide range of Windstopper® laminates. However, Windstopper® items can generally be washed on a gentle cycle at 30-40°. You can use a special liquid detergent for membranous clothing, which can be obtained from sports shops. The items should also always be rinsed well to avoid detergent residues.

Important to note

Do not use fabric softeners and always wash individual items with similar colours. It is also generally best to use too little detergent than too much. Most products can be tumble dried, but consult the individual specific care label for the item to make sure. Also check the care instructions to see whether a specific product will need to be subsequently impregnated after washing.

Perfect protection during activities

Laminates and clothing with Windstopper® functionality combine many positive attributes, which are primarily used in the outdoor sector. They are completely windproof, water-repellent, while simultaneously providing maximum breathability. In the cold and wet weather, Windstopper® clothing provides exceptional protection against hypothermia, so fewer layers of clothing are required. This allows the body to breathe freely, creating the perfect temperature, keeping the wearer comfortably warm and productive without sweating. Even during maximum physical activity, the fabric's breathability is maintained and even increases. These properties make functional clothing and accessories with Windstopper® into the perfect choice for mountain sports, hiking, golfing, cycling, winter sports or running.