Garments, Footwear, Gloves and Fabric Technologies
Materials science specialist W L Gore & Associates will shine a light on its new product concepts, aimed at protecting and supporting the armed forces in extreme and unpredictable situations, during AUSA 2021 in Washington next week. The company will highlight garments, footwear, gloves and protective technologies such as GORE CHEMPAK fabrics during the exposition.
GORE-TEX Stretch combines a high level of protection with optimised comfort, to deliver protection in the most demanding environments. Building on the recognised performances of durable waterproof, windproof, and breathability, GORE-TEX stretch fabric technology offers additional benefits; reduced thermal burden, high agility and mobility, and improved equipment integration. This is achieved through an adaptive fit, that reduces air gaps and leads to a more optimised design with less bulk. The fabric also delivers high flexibility in cold climates, and noise reduction. The stretch ePTFE membrane technology enables the design and construction of garments to have a more tailored fit, which improves evaporative resistance and increases breathability by 25%.
Garments designed with GORE-TEX PYRAD technology provide heat, flame, and flash-fire protection for defence personnel. To highlight this technology at AUSA, the updated Flame-Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE) EWOL jacket and trouser will be on display. This versatile technology offers some of the lightest weight, low bulk, flame-retardant garments on the market. Products made using PYRAD are breathable, lightweight, and flexible, and offer improved comfort during the most demanding tasks. The fabrics also pick up less water and dry faster than alternative flame-retardant fabrics.
Leveraging silica aerogel – the world’s best solid insulator – GORE-TEX THERMIUM insulation can provide unparalleled warmth without adding bulk. It can be strategically integrated into areas where it’s needed the most – and Gore will use gloves and footwear to illustrate this at AUSA 2021. A fully insulated boot from Belleville, along with the uniquely designed APEX boot from ALTAMA will be on display. The latter will showcase the most breathable GORE-TEX laminate, with strategically placed THERMIUM insulation. Combined with new soling technology from Michelin, the ALTAMA APEX boot will provide a more versatile combat boot, offering performance within a wider temperature range.
