Revolution in waterproof fabric technology?

[Frederik V.]

Wired is featuring quite an intriguing article about a new kind of fabric we might see popping up in the next few years. A small US company called Voormi claims having developed a waterproof, breathable fabric consisting of only one layer. (Fabrics like Goretex or eVent traditionally use two or more layers, making the shells heavy and stiff.)

Their waterproof layer is actually stitched through with traditional threads like e.g. wool. After stitching they close the punctures in some way so the fabric doesn't leak from the innumerable tiny perforations.

Is this revolutionary? Is it 1980 all over again?

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/voormi-core-technology/

http://voormi.com/pages/core-construction-technology

[Greg Mihalik]

Wool with DWR ?

Voormi

[Roger Caffin]

I am old and cynical. Well, cynical, anyhow. :-)

I am sure it is revolutionary – at least in the minds of the company founders. OK, it's an interesting concept.

But will it work – in the field and in practice? I have some reservations. Please note: 'reservations', which many others might also have.

First, it looks rather fragile to me. Just how long will the membrane last when subject to the stresses of .. well, use in the field? (Remember version 1 of Goretex?)

Second, it looks rather expensive to make compared to other technologies.

Third, it is NOT waterproof, so it is not competing in the WP market. Rather it is competing in the 'soft-shell' market area, where we already have the likes of Schoeller and Paramo. You might note that the example case mentioned in Wired is for a cold dry way-sub-zero environment. But I can handle that environment with a light fleeece under a DWR-treated windshirt.

But, we wait to see.

Cheers

[Author]

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