Gore moisture barrier updates for firefighter PPE
Iain Hoey
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New moisture barriers added to Gore range
W. L. Gore & Associates has announced three additions to its firefighter fabric portfolio, expanding its GORE-TEX CROSSTECH moisture barrier product line.
The company unveiled the new Endure, Prime and Innovate moisture barriers during the FDIC event in April 2025.
According to W. L. Gore & Associates, these products aim to address firefighter comfort, thermal stress, and chemical resistance by offering new levels of durability and breathability.
Jennifer Wise, Product Specialist at Gore, said: “These new technology platforms are helping to shape the future of firefighter performance.
“Departments face unique challenges. We’re leveraging Gore’s knowledge of high-performance fabrics to create solutions that are evolving with their needs.”
The company said all new products are components recognised to the NFPA 1970 (71) standard, allowing garment manufacturers to pursue certification.
Product breakdown and testing outcomes
According to Gore, the GORE-TEX CROSSTECH Endure Moisture Barrier was tested to withstand 25 wash/dry cycles and five convective heat exposures, exceeding standard requirements by a factor of 2.5.
The manufacturer said the Endure model is intended to support heat stress management through a balance of breathability and durability across various firefighting environments.
The Prime Moisture Barrier is described by Gore as being designed to support core temperature regulation, with a focus on breathability and comfort under sustained conditions.
Gore stated that the Prime barrier meets both NFPA 1970 (71) and EN 469 standards and is a component recognised for certification by garment makers.
The Innovate Moisture Barrier, the company explained, was developed for departments seeking to align with optional requirements on PFAS content.
According to Gore, the barrier has a total fluorine concentration of no more than 100 PPM and is engineered to resist penetration by fluids and common chemicals listed in NFPA guidance.
Existing CROSSTECH products remain in portfolio
Gore confirmed that the new products are being added to the existing CROSSTECH range rather than replacing current models.
The GORE-TEX CROSSTECH PARALLON Liner System, also part of the product family, is intended to maintain thermal protection even when firefighting garments are saturated with moisture.
Gore said the PARALLON system is highly breathable and performs effectively when exposed to sweat and ambient wetness.
The manufacturer also continues to offer the GORE-TEX CROSSTECH Black Moisture Barrier, which it said is currently used by several major metropolitan fire departments in the United States.
It added that this barrier has been selected due to its documented breathability and long-term material consistency.
Focus on standards compliance and availability
The company noted that all new barriers are recognised components under the NFPA 1970 (71) standard, making them eligible for use by certified garment manufacturers.
According to Gore, fire departments and procurement teams should consult directly with garment providers to confirm certification timelines and distribution availability for each product.
The manufacturer said these products are designed to allow flexibility for departments with differing operational requirements and procurement schedules.
It confirmed that product-specific timelines and testing documentation remain with the respective garment providers.
Gore states long-term approach to material design
The company said the expansion reflects its ongoing work in developing technical textiles for emergency services, military, and industrial users.
Gore described the new moisture barriers as the result of long-term research into wearable protection under variable operational conditions.
It said the updates build on a legacy of science-led product design that dates back several decades.
Gore added that the materials are part of its wider personal protective equipment offering, which aims to meet field-tested functional demands.
The company stated that further information is available on its GORE-TEX Professional website.
Gore moisture barrier updates for firefighter PPE: Summary
W. L. Gore & Associates has launched three new moisture barriers for firefighter garments.
The products are named Endure, Prime and Innovate.
All three were introduced at the FDIC event in April 2025.
Gore said they are designed to improve durability, breathability and chemical resistance.
The Endure model was tested to exceed standard requirements by 2.5 times.
The Prime model is compliant with both NFPA 1970 (71) and EN 469.
The Innovate model contains no more than 100 PPM of total fluorine.
All three products are components recognised to the NFPA 1970 (71) standard.
The new range adds to Gore’s existing PARALLON and Black barriers.
The company stated that certification timelines are managed by garment manufacturers.
Gore said the update reflects long-term development in protective fabrics.
It said more details are available on the GORE-TEX Professional website.