What Is The Difference Between The Different Layers Of Fabric？

For outdoor enthusiasts, functional waterproof jackets are essential.When we chose a waterproof jacket, there are 2 layer, 2.5 layer and 3 layer for choice, lots of people did not know how to chose it,especially for the new outdoor enthusiast.Here we would like to share some information about it.

First, we need to distinguish the “layer” of waterproof jackets from the layer of regular jackets.The waterproof/breathable fabric is bonded with several layers, we can not see it with our eyes. Whether it's 2 layer, 3 layer, or 2.5 layer , the concept of "layers" should be considered as a layer in terms of how many layers you wear, because they are a unit.

2-layer fabric:

 It is the original fabric bonded with a layer of waterproof and breathable membrane,usually only need to add another lining at inside to protect the waterproof and breathable membrane when making the 2-layer rain jacket. It is characterized by relatively soft and wide range of application. Most PERFORMANCE SHELL of GORE-TEX® come in 2 layer, and you’ll fine that clothing in the fabrics usually has an inner lining. With the exception of GORE-TEX®, Conduit by MHW, MemBrain by Marmot, Hyvent by TNF, all of them are two-layer. In addition,in order to achieve the purpose of lightweight, some functional outdoor jackets are canceled inner lining . One disadvantage of this situation is that the waterproof and breathable membrane has no protection inside. But its low price more than makes up for this one shortcoming.

3-layer fabric: 

A waterproof and breathable membrane bonded with outer fabric and then bonded an inner layer, which eliminates the need for additional lining when making the garment. It is characterized by good durability and light weight. However, because of the highest technical difficulty of three-layer lamination, the price is usually higher than that of 2-layer and 2.5 layer fabric. For example, the SV, AR and LT series of Arc'teryx jacket are all made of GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL fabric, which belongs to the situation of 3- layer fabric.

2.5-layer fabric:

The representative is GTX PACLITE fabric, laminated a waterproof and breathable membrane under the outer fabric, and then add a protective layer (such as printing or coating,not interlining). So don't have to add lining when produced to outdoorwear garments, because this kind of fabric already have a protective layer, and it is much thinner and softer than the three layer waterproof jacket. The features are very light, thin, easy to carry. SL series from Arc'teryx are all made of this kind of fabric. In addition to GTX fabric, the Cyclone fabric used by the Sierra Designs Cyclone waterproof hiking pants is also 2.5 layer.

There are also a lot of waterproof garments that made of multiple fabrics. GoLite's Spectre jacket is made of GORE-TEX® PacLite and GORE-TEX® Performance, The main body is made of GORE-TEX® PacLite to reduce weight, Easy to wear and tear parts with GORE-TEX® Performance fabric to enhance wear resistance, this kind of jacket is especially suitable for hiking.

Generally speaking, 3 layer waterproof jackets and pants are more suit for mountaineering, although the fabric is relatively hard, not so comfortable, but its better wear resistance. Most of hiking waterproof lightweight jackets are made of relatively soft 2-layer or 2.5 layer fabric.