I was asked to provide a few reasons why I dislike goretex and prefer canvas as a water and wind protectant. As reference, I've spent 18 years running a wilderness survival program in the berskhires with avg. 105 7th graders ( appalachian mountains in north west massachusetts for everyone but tartan hiker ), and have been through everything nut a typhoon up in those hills.

here is the list.

1. Goretex is very expensive no matter where you get it. Garments made of a treated canvas, like the inverness cape and dusters worn by cowboys all over the world, are roughly 1/4 to 1/8th the price for a comparably sized garment.

2. Gortex is extremely flimsy around fire and heat. To burn canvas, you have to want to burn it, very badly.

3. Gortex garments tear fairly easily. Rushing through a bramble bush would eat most goretex jackets for lunch. Brambles are one of the reasons cowboys still wear dusters. The aussie duster I have is damn near indestructable.

4. Goretex wears out. After two years, my $300 goretex jacket started to leak like cheesecloth. With a $5 tub of a wax/oil mix, my duster stays very waterproof.

5. Once torn, a hole ina goretex garment is going to stay a hole unless patched with a special goretex patch. Canvas takes a thread and needle. a half-way decent patch job and you are as good as new.


other than it's weight, I have found little use for goretex jackets and pants (*shudder*). It may be great for a light jaunt or extreme trips where the need for lighter gear far outweighs anything else. I personally think it just costs too much, wears out to easily, and isn't sturdy enough for my needs.

hense my desire for a canvas Inverness cloak.